HHTM welcomes back Dr. Holly Hosford-Dunn to Hearing Economics this week to bring readers the latest update in her popular patent series that has been tracking patent activity in the hearing industry since 2012
The patent series took a 6 month vacation and resumes today with 73 patents which were awarded in the fourth quarter of 2017. Almost 75% (53) of the patents are owned by the usual players in the global hearing instrument market:
- 37 patents award to the Big Six hearing aid companies (GN Hearing, Oticon, Sivantos, Sonova, Starkey, Widex);
- 16 patents to cochlear implant companies (Advanced Bionics, Cochlear Limited, and Med-El)
Images from Phonak (L) and GN (R) patent applications
The Big Six worked in the ear, designing hearing aids looks (see Fig 1 design patent images), dealing with wax and signal processing. But it was their continued exploration of new territory that was of most interest. Beyond the-ear thinking produced patents focused on brainwaves (Widex #9808199) audio streaming; device-to-device wireless ; and wearer behavior (GN Hearing #9838805).
Patent readers who aren’t married to NAL may be delighted with this refreshingly direct passage in the aforementioned GN patent:
It is known from several studies that the hearing loss model that is typically used is fundamentally wrong. For instance, if the hearing aid is fitted to compensate exactly for the modelled loss of compression in the cochlea, the sound will be uncomfortably loud, which indicates that the model is flawed. … The challenge is that the optimization of the hearing aid is based on adjusting a model that is believed to be correlated with listener performance, when it really isn’t. (itals added)
What the Other Guys are Doing
Other big and little companies worked the same territories as the Big 6 for hearing aid purposes (e.g., Exsilent Research #9838808 , Intricon #9832578, UBDevice Corp # 9843874, Unlimiter MFA # 9847767). Headphone companies continued their march into the ear canal with “devices” that might or might not look or act like hearing aids (Sennheiser #9813807, Bose #9854345, Fossil # D804445).
Other companies used the ear canal as a portal for device activities such as broadcast streaming (Asius # 9848257), alert messaging (GE # 9837067, Google # 9836953), and humidity sensing (SmartEar # 9838771).
|
Description |
Patent Number |
Assignee |
Issued |
|
Two part EEG monitor with databus and method of communicating between the parts |
Widex A/S (Lynge, DK) |
11/07/2017 |
|
|
Hearing System |
Oticon Medical A/S (Smorum, DK) |
11/07/2017 |
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Interaural coherence based cochlear stimulation using adapted fine structure processing |
MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH (Innsbruck, AT) |
11/07/2017 |
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|
Ear-canal earpiece |
Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG (Wedemark, DE) |
11/07/2017 |
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Noise reduction with in-ear headphone |
Bose Corp. (Framingham, MA) |
11/07/2017 |
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Method of wireless transmission of digital audio |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
11/07/2017 |
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Instrument with remote object detection unit |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
11/07/2017 |
|
|
Method and system for use of hearing prosthesis for linguistic evaluation |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
11/14/2017 |
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Method of exchanging data packages between first and second portable communication devices using a favoured frequency band |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
11/14/2017 |
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Apparatus and method for reducing power consumption in hearing aid |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Suwon-si, KR) |
11/14/2017 |
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Controlling a link for different load conditions |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
11/14/2017 |
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|
Wax relief pathway for hearing aid sound inlet |
Starkey Laboratories Inc (Eden Prairie, MN) |
11/14/2017 |
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|
Hearing aid with magnetostrictive electroactive sensor |
Starkey Laboratories Inc (Eden Prairie, MN) |
11/14/2017 |
|
|
Inductive signal transfer in an implantable medical device |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
11/21/2017 |
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Hearing aid device comprising a sensor member |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
11/21/2017 |
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|
Hearing device comprising a feedback cancellation system based on signal energy relocation |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
11/21/2017 |
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Hearing device and a method for receiving wireless audio streaming |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
11/21/2017 |
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Wireless sound transmission system and method |
Sonova AG (Stafa, CH) |
11/21/2017 |
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|
Miniature speaker and speaker cabinet and hearing aid |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
11/21/2017 |
|
|
Hearing assessment method and system |
dB Diagnostic Systems, Inc. (Weston, CT) |
11/28/2017 |
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|
Method of exchanging data packages between first and second portable communication devices |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
11/28/2017 |
|
|
Hearing aid with probabilistic hearing loss compensation |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
11/28/2017 |
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Wireless sound transmission and method |
Sonova AG (Stafa, CH) |
11/28/2017 |
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|
Partner microphone unit and a hearing system comprising a partner microphone unit |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
11/28/2017 |
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Sound processor apparatuses that facilitate low power component type detection and communication with a programming system |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
11/28/2017 |
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Enabling concurrent proprietary audio and Bluetooth low energy using enhanced LE link layer for hearing device |
IntriCon Corp. (Ardene Hills, MN) |
11/28/2017 |
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Encapsulated hearing device |
Sonova AG (Stafa, CH) |
11/28/2017 |
|
|
Detachable filter member for hearing aid device |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
11/28/2017 |
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|
Hearing Aid |
Sonova AG (Stafa, CH) |
11/28/2017 |
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|
Hearing Aid |
Sonova AG (Stafa, CH) |
11/28/2017 |
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|
Disposable dual tipped ear curette incorporating depth measurement system |
Applicants: Pahuja, Deepak & Bookhamer, Ryan Scott (Erie and Edinboro, PA) |
11/28/2017 |
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|
Reducing effect of magnetic and electromagnetic field on an implant’s magnet and/or electronics |
MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH (Innsbruck, AT) |
12/05/2017 |
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|
Active telemetry response for hearing implants |
MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH (Innsbruck, AT) |
12/05/2017 |
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Efficient size optimization of visual information or auditory information |
Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC (Redmond, WA) |
12/05/2017 |
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Visual and auditory user notification methods for smart-home hazard detector |
Google Inc. (Mountain View, CA) |
12/05/2017 |
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Methods and systems for providing auditory messages for medical devices |
General Electric Company (Schenectady, NY) |
12/05/2017 |
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Methods, systems, and devices for adaptively filtering audio signals |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
12/05/2017 |
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Performance based in situ optimization of hearing aids |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
12/05/2017 |
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|
Hearing aid device having battery drawer |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
12/05/2017 |
|
|
Bone anchor fixture for a medical prosthesis |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
12/05/2017 |
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|
Hearing Aid |
Exsilent Research B.V. (Amsterdam, NL) |
12/05/2017 |
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|
Wireless streaming of an audio signal to multiple audio receiver devices |
Sonova AG (Stafa, CH) |
12/05/2017 |
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|
Ear irrigation device |
Applicant: Christopher Perry (Toledo, OH) |
12/05/2017 |
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|
In-ear headphones |
Fossil Group, Inc. (Richardson, TX) |
12/05/2017 |
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|
In-ear utility device having a humidity sensor |
SmartEar, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) |
12/05/2017 |
|
|
Impact protection for implantable electric lead |
MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH (Innsbruck, AT) |
12/12/2017 |
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|
Hearing assistance device comprising an implantable part |
Oticon Medical A/S (Smorum, DK) |
12/12/2017 |
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|
Apparatus, system and method for drying of hearing aid devices |
Sivantos Inc. (Singapore, SG) |
12/12/2017 |
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|
Hearing device |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
12/12/2017 |
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|
Equalized hearing aid system |
UBDevice Corp. (Taoyuan, TW) |
12/12/2017 |
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|
Binaurally coordinated frequency translation in hearing assistance devices |
Starkey Laboratories Inc (Eden Prairie, MN) |
12/12/2017 |
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|
Hearing Aid |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
12/12/2017 |
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|
Hearing Aid |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
12/12/2017 |
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|
Ear pressure relief travel pillow |
Applicant: Robin Glaze (Kountze, TX) |
12/12/2017 |
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|
Method and apparatus for channel selection in ear-to-ear communication in hearing devices |
Starkey Laboratories Inc (Eden Prairie, MN) |
12/12/2017 |
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Method for the treatment of ear infections |
Diamondback Drugs of Delaware, LLC (Scottsdale, AZ) |
12/12/2017 |
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|
System and methods for creating reduced test sets used in assessing subject response to stimuli |
University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc. (Gainesville, FL); Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
12/19/2017 |
|
|
Retention of a magnet in a cochlear implant |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
12/19/2017 |
|
|
Complex stimulation channel arrangements |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
12/19/2017 |
|
|
Cochlear implant and an operating method thereof |
Oticon Medical A/S (Smorum, DK) |
12/19/2017 |
|
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Focused stimulation in a medical stimulation device |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
12/19/2017 |
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Electronic device capable of adjusting an equalizer according to physiological condition of hearing and adjustment method thereof |
Unlimiter MFA Co., Ltd. (Eden Island, SC) |
12/19/2017 |
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In-ear hearing device and broadcast streaming system |
Asius Technologies, LLC (Longmont, CO) |
12/19/2017 |
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|
Pre-processing of a channelized music signal |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
12/19/2017 |
|
|
Head related transfer function individualization for hearing device |
Starkey Laboratories Inc (Eden Prairie, MN) |
12/19/2017 |
|
|
Implanted auditory prosthesis control by component movement |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
12/26/2017 |
|
|
Method of operating a hearing aid system and a hearing aid system |
Widex A/S (Lynge, DK) |
12/26/2017 |
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|
Wireless system for hearing communication devices providing wireless stereo reception modes |
Starkey Laboratories Inc (Eden Prairie, MN) |
12/26/2017 |
|
|
Implantable remote control |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
12/26/2017 |
|
|
Hearing Aid |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
12/26/2017 |
|
|
Hearing Aid |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
12/26/2017 |
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|
Hearing Aid |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
12/26/2017 |
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|
In-ear headphone with cable exit positioned for improved stability |
Bose Corp (Framingham, MA) |
12/26/2017 |
Editor’s note: Interested readers can click the following links for patents approved in October 2017, September 2017, August 2017, June/July 2017, May 2017, April 2017, March 2017, February 2017, January 2017, December 2016, November 2016, October 2016, Sept 2016, Jul/Aug 2016, May/Jun 2016, Mar/Apr 2016, Jan/Feb 2016, Nov/Dec 2015, Sept/Oct 2015, Jul/Aug 2015, May/Jun 2015, Mar/Apr 2015, Jan/Feb 2015, Nov/Dec 2014, Sep/Oct 2014, July/Aug 2014, May/Jun 2014, Mar/Apr 2014, Jan/Feb 2014, Nov/Dec 2013, September/October 2013, Jul/Aug 2013, May/Jun 2013, Mar/Apr 2013, Jan/Feb 2013, Nov/Dec 2012
*featured image courtesy Oticon Medical patent #9839779
