An Innovative Approach to the Signal to Noise Problem
Microsoft’s patent #11410426 aims to raise small talk to middle talk in electronic meeting recordings and transcripts by eliminating user utterances that are difficult and time consuming to review. As the patent wryly observes, the vast majority of recorded content is of low importance to users.
Imagine a future where entire meetings are judged and eliminated. If that met with success, imagine outcomes were Microsoft to commence judging the importance of utterances in daily living. The world would quickly quiet down and become far less dependent on hearing or hearing aids.
Prepare to Be Amazed
Columbia University’s patent #11413191 (Apparatus for perforation and aspiration of inner ear) astounds by describing an
apparatus that can create a precise, circular perforation in a thin membrane, aspirate perilymph from the inner ear without causing traumatic perforation of the membranes, as well as an apparatus useful for efficient and specific diagnoses of inner ear problems to allow for more personalized and targeted inner ear therapy.
If you think that’s spectacular, consider the claims inherent in the title of Mitochon Pharm’s patent #11406642: DNP and DNP prodrug treatment of neuromuscular, neurodegenerative, autoimmune, developmental, traumatic brain injury, concussion, dry eye disease, hearing loss and/or metabolic disease.
Finally, CrittEar’s patent #11419766 for ITC hearing protection in dogs (see Fig) describes an encapsulated spring element configured to apply a spring bias radially outward from an axis extending a length of the earplug body. The spring element is of a shape memory alloy having a transition temperature that is below a normal body temperature of a dog. (paraphrased)
What will dogs think of this device? If they tolerate it, could we use it on all those humans who can’t keep their earbuds in place?
Editor’s Note: Trying to find out more detail about a specific patent? Due to recent changes on the US patent website, the links will no longer take you directly to the patent in question, you need to enter the patent number in the search bar to get to where you need to go.
The August 2022 Patent List
|
Description |
Patent Number |
Assignee |
Issued |
|
Implantable battery device for standard cochlear implant |
Oticon Medical A/S (Smorum, DK) |
8/02/2022 |
|
|
Hearing aid microphone structure and hearing aid |
Xiamen Retone Hearing Technology Co Ltd (Xiamen, CN) |
8/02/2022 |
|
|
Hearing device housings that store energy and methods of making the same |
Sonova AG (Staefa, CH) |
8/02/2022 |
|
|
Hearing assistance device |
Cear Inc (Tokyo, JP) & freecle Inc (Tokyo, JP) |
8/02/2022 |
|
|
Advanced assistance for prosthesis assisted communication |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
8/02/2022 |
|
|
Hearing aid devices |
Shenzhen Shokz Co Ltd (Shenzhen, CN) |
8/02/2022 |
|
|
Methods and systems for evaluating hearing using cross frequency simultaneous masking |
Mimi Hearing Technologies GmbH (Berlin, DE) Hearing Technologies GmbH (Berlin, DE) |
8/09/2022 |
|
|
DNP and DNP prodrug treatment of neuromuscular, neurodegenerative, autoimmune, developmental, traumatic brain injury, concussion, dry eye disease, hearing loss and/or metabolic diseases |
Mitochon Pharmaceuticals Inc (Radnor, PA) & Bioventures LLC (Little Rock, AR) |
8/09/2022 |
|
|
Classification of auditory and visual meeting data to infer importance of user utterances |
Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Redmond, WA) |
8/09/2022 |
|
|
Wireless charging of multiple rechargeable devices |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
8/09/2022 |
|
|
Earbud and method for implementing wearing detection and touch operation |
Shenzhen Goodix Technology Co Ltd (Shenzhen, CN) |
8/09/2022 |
|
|
Systems and methods for data exchange between binaural hearing devices |
Sonova AG (Staefa, CH) |
8/09/2022 |
|
|
Interactive system for hearing devices |
Starkey Laboratories Inc (Eden Prairie, MN) |
8/09/2022 |
|
|
Contralateral sound capture with respect to stimulation energy source |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
8/09/2022 |
|
|
Systems and methods for user-dependent conditioning of stimuli in tests using a method of continuous adjustment |
Mimi Hearing Technologies GmbH (Berlin, DE) |
8/16/2022 |
|
|
Apparatus for perforation and aspiration of inner ear |
The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York (New York, NY) |
8/16/2022 |
|
|
Attachment for a device for generating an air flow or dispensing a fluid into the external auditory canal |
Earbreeze GmbH (Vienna, AT) |
8/16/2022 |
|
|
Power and data hub, communication system, and related method |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
8/16/2022 |
|
|
Selective audio isolation from body generated sound system and method |
Bragi GmbH (Munich, DE) |
8/16/2022 |
|
|
Binaural room impulse response for spatial audio reproduction |
Apple Inc (Cupertino, CA) Inc (Cupertino, CA) |
8/16/2022 |
|
|
Configurable hearing devices |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
8/16/2022 |
|
|
Method of operating a hearing device, and hearing device |
Sivantos Pte Ltd (Singapore, SG) |
8/16/2022 |
|
|
Media system and method of amplifying audio signal using audio filter corresponding to hearing loss profile |
Apple Inc (Cupertino, CA) |
8/16/2022 |
|
|
Self-adaptive adjustment method and hearing aid using same |
Compal Electronics Inc (Taipei, TW) |
8/16/2022 |
|
|
Ear canal microphone utilizing communications with hearing implant |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
8/16/2022 |
|
|
Method for operating a hearing system and hearing system |
Sivantos Pte Ltd (Singapore, SG) |
8/16/2022 |
|
|
Earpiece for a hearing device |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
8/16/2022 |
|
|
Diversity Bluetooth system and method |
Bragi GmbH (Munich, DE) |
8/16/2022 |
|
|
Hearing aids |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
8/16/2022 |
|
|
Method and apparatus for characterizing tinnitus using Bayesian minimum-entropy psychometric procedure |
Starkey Laboratories Inc (Eden Prairie, MN) |
8/23/2022 |
|
|
Animal hearing protection and communication device and method of operation |
CrittEar LLC (Sedro Woolley, WA) |
8/23/2022 |
|
|
Systems and methods for determining a stapedius reflex threshold based on electro-acoustic stimulation |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) bionics |
8/23/2022 |
|
|
Ultraminiature dynamic speaker for a fully in-ear monitor |
Meta Platforms Technologies LLC (Menlo Park, CA) |
8/23/2022 |
|
|
Ear-worn electronic device incorporating annoyance model driven selective active noise control |
Starkey Laboratories Inc (Eden Prairie, MN) |
8/23/2022 |
|
|
In-ear audio device with interchangeable faceplate |
Logitech Europe SA (Lausanne, CH) |
8/23/2022 |
|
|
Ear wearable device |
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (Suwon-wi, KR) |
8/23/2022 |
|
|
Enhancing a listening experience by adjusting physical attributes of an audio playback system based on detected environmental attributes of the system’s environment |
Apple Inc (Cupertino, CA) |
8/23/2022 |
|
|
Method of coupling hearing devices to one another, and hearing device |
Sivantos Pte Ltd (Singapore, SG) |
8/23/2022 |
|
|
Hearing aid device having an antenna |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
8/23/2022 |
|
|
Ear-worn electronic hearing device incorporating an antenna with cutouts |
Starkey Laboratories Inc (Eden Prairie, MN) |
8/23/2022 |
|
|
Suspension assembly for hearing aid receiver |
Starkey Laboratories Inc (Eden Prairie, MN) |
8/23/2022 |
|
|
Universal bone conduction and middle ear implant |
MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH (Innsbruck, AT) |
8/23/2022 |
|
|
Ear-mount able listening device with baffled seal |
Iyo Inc (Redwood City, CA) |
8/23/2022 |
|
|
System and method for personalized fitting of hearing aids |
Audiocare Technologies Ltd (Gan Yoshiya, IL) |
8/23/2022 |
|
|
Hearing aid |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
8/23/2022 |
|
|
Securing an implanted medical device in a patient |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
8/30/2022 |
|
|
Bilateral synchronized channel selection for cochlear implants |
MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH (Innsbruck, AT) |
8/30/2022 |
|
|
Progressive insertion middle ear protector |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
8/30/2022 |
|
|
Functionality migration |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
8/30/2022 |
|
|
Cochlear implant with clippable magnet |
MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH (Innsbruck, AT) |
8/30/2022 |
|
|
Modular in-ear device |
Iyo Inc (Redwood City, CA) |
8/30/2022 |
|
|
Cancelling noise in an open ear system |
OrCam Technologies Ltd (Jerusalem, IL) |
8/30/2022 |
|
|
Method of testing microphone performance of a hearing aid system and a hearing aid system |
Widex A/S (Lynge, DK) |
8/30/2022 |
|
|
Processing audio and video in a hearing aid system |
OrCam Technologies Ltd (Jerusalem, IL) |
8/30/2022 |
|
|
Method for transmitting a hearing aid setting data set from a first hearing aid to a second hearing aid, hearing aid system, and hearing aid |
Sivantos Pte Ltd (Singapore, SG) |
8/30/2022 |
|
|
Method and system for customized amplification of auditory signals providing enhanced karaoke experience for hearing-deficient users |
Listen and Be Heard LLC (Portland, OR) |
8/30/2022 |
|
|
Hearing aid with automatic antenna tuning |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
8/30/2022 |
|
|
Hearing device with integrated magnetic induction coil and RF antenna |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
8/30/2022 |
|
|
Hearing aid bowtie antenna optimized for ear to ear communications |
Starkey Laboratories Inc (Eden Prairie, MN) |
8/30/2022 |
|
|
Hearing aid battery connected to ear shell |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
8/30/2022 |
|
|
Passive integrity management of an implantable device |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
8/30/2022 |
|
|
Occlusion control system for a hearing instrument and a hearing instrument |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
8/30/2022 |
Holly Hosford-Dunn, PhD, owned and operated a dispensing audiology practice in Tucson and was active in management of HearingHealthMatters.org through 2017. She holds BA degrees in Communication Sciences, Psychology and Economics; MA in Communication Disorders; PhD in Hearing Sciences. Following post-doctoral work at Max Planck Institute (Munich, DE) and Eaton-Peabody Auditory Physiology Lab (Boston), she joined the Stanford medical school faculty as director of audiology. She has authored/edited numerous text books, chapters, journals, and articles and taught Marketing and Practice Management in a variety of academic settings. She continues to consult and write on topics related to hearing health care vis-à-vis consumer demands, professional training, technological advancement, capital investment, industry consolidation, regulatory control, product and service distribution, and strategic pricing.
