CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2018/069105, filed Jul. 13, 2018, which claims the benefit of United Kingdom Patent Application No. 1714956.8, filed Sep. 18, 2017, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to a communication device configured for use in a user's ear canal, and more specifically to a venting of sound waves from an acoustically sealed section provided by the communication device in the ear canal, according to the preamble of claim1.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Communication devices may be used to improve the hearing capability or communication capability of a user, for instance by compensating a hearing loss of a hearing-impaired user, in which case the communication device is commonly referred to as a hearing instrument such as a hearing aid, or hearing prosthesis. A communication device may also be used to produce a sound in a user's ear canal. For example, sound may be communicated by a wire or wirelessly to a communication device, which may reproduce the sound in the user's ear canal. For example, earbuds, earphones and/or the like may be used to generate sound in a person's ear canal.

A hearing device (HD), such as a hearing instrument, may use a microphone to pick up/receive sound. Circuitry in the hearing instrument can process signals from the microphone, and provides the processed sound signal into the ear canal of the user via a miniature loudspeaker, commonly referred to as a sound reproduction device or a receiver. Hearing devices may also receive sound signals from alternative input sources, such as an induction coil and/or a wireless transmitter, for example via a mobile phone, wireless streaming, Bluetooth connection and/or the like, and process these sounds signals and deliver them to the user. Furthermore, hearing devices may be employed as hearing protection devices that suppress or at least substantially attenuate loud sounds and noises that could harm or even damage the user's sense of hearing.

Hearing devices that are inserted at least partially into a user's ear canal may form a seal between the communication device and the ear canal. For example, some hearing devices comprise ear-tips or earpads that may seal the ear canal to transmission of ambient sound from outside of the ear, preventing interference of the ambient sounds/noise with the sound communicated into the ear by the hearing device. Similarly, some hearing devices may be configured to block the ear canal and prevent interference of the ambient sounds/noise with the sound communicated into the ear by the hearing device.

However, sealing of the ear canal prevents the user of the hearing device registering ambient sounds, such as someone trying to communicate with the user, and produces occlusion effects, where low frequency body-conducted sound, such as the user's own voice, is trapped in the ear canal by the communication device sealing the ear canal resulting in an undesirable loud perception of low frequencies.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,885,866 describes an earphone comprising an adjustable vent. The vent is independent of a sound output channel of the earphone. The vent is adjusted by relatively moving an ear tip of the earphone with respect to the sound conduit tube. The vents are provided at a central location of the earphone and can be adjusted between an open position and a closed position. The earphone has the disadvantage that the ear tip has to be removed from the ear canal in order to allow a manual adjustment of the ear tip relative to the sound conduit tube, by which an adjustment of the vent shall be achieved. Thus, an adjustment of the vent during usage of the earphone inside an ear canal is not provided for. Another disadvantage is caused by the small cross sectional size of the venting channel separated from the sound output channel including a small inlet diameter and a small outlet diameter. Such a geometry leads to a large acoustic mass and a high impedance inside the venting channel, which only allows a rather inefficient transport of the sound waves toward an ambient environment during the venting.

European patent application publication no. EP 2 164 277 A2 discloses an earphone device comprising an insertion earpad configured to be received inside a user's ear canal. The earpad is connected to a signal-to-sound converter of a sound source via a sound tube. External sound entrances are formed in the sound tube which allow environmental sounds to enter the ear canal in addition to the sounds transmitted from the sound source. An acoustic valve is arranged on an outer surface of the sound tube. The acoustic valve is a leaf valve element consisting of two conductive layers and an electroactive polymer layer. A form of the leaf valve can thus be altered by changing a polarity of a voltage at the conductive layers. The deformation of the leave valve can be exploited to change the leave valve in between a first deformation state, in which the external sound entrances are fully covered, and a second deformation state, in which the external sound entrances are uncovered. A first disadvantage of this earphone device is related to the repeated deformation of the acoustic valve that is required to open and close the external sound entrances. The deformation inevitably leads to material wear affecting the functionality of the acoustic valve, in particular in terms of a degradation of the opening and closing mechanism of the external sound entrances, such that an airtight closure of the external sound entrances can be compromised after continuous usage of the earphone device. In the worst case, such a material wear may even lead to a full disfunction or breakage of the acoustic valve. A second disadvantage of the earphone device is that the acoustic valve can only be used to switch in between an opened and closed state of the external sound entrances, wherein a variation of an opening size of the external sound entrances is not provided. A third disadvantage of the earphone device is that the geometry of the sound tube, including the selected size and position of the external sound entrances and the sound tube output opening, lead to a large acoustic mass and a high acoustic impedance rendering the external sound transmission path quite ineffective.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to remedy at least one of the above mentioned disadvantages and to provide the initially addressed device with a reliable adjustable venting of sound waves in between a sealed section of the ear canal and an ambient environment outside the sealed section. It is a further object to allow an easy and/or user friendly operability of a venting adjustment, in particular during usage of the device inside an ear canal, in particular by employing an electrically actuated control. It is another object to allow a more efficient venting in between a sealed section of the ear canal and an ambient environment, in particular by lowering an acoustic mass and/or an acoustic impedance in the device. It is yet another object to allow a variable adjustment of an amount by which a venting of sound waves in between a sealed section and an ambient environment is provided for.

At least one of these objects is achieved with a device comprising the features of patent claim1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined by the dependent claims.

Accordingly, the device according to the invention includes an acoustic valve comprising a valve member moveably coupled with a conduit housing, which moveable coupling is configured to provide a relative motion of the valve member and the conduit housing. The relative motion can comprise at least one of a translational motion of the valve member relative to the conduit housing and a rotational motion of the valve member relative to the conduit housing. In this way, the acoustic valve can be configured to provide at least one of the following: opening a vent opening, closing a vent opening, and adjusting a size of a vent opening. Such a relative motion between the valve member and the conduit housing can contribute to a fail-safe adjustment of the vent opening, wherein the involved constituent parts can be subjected to low mechanical stress. The communication device comprises an electrical actuator configured to activate the relative motion. The electrical actuation can provide an accurate control of the venting adjustment and can further contribute to an ease of use of the venting adjustment. This can permit a good longevity of the venting functionality of the device, in particular without any degradation after a prolonged usage.

The communication device comprises a sealing mechanism configured to acoustically seal a section of the ear canal, in particular upstream of the communication device. The sealed section may be located between the sealing mechanism and the user's ear drum. The sealing mechanism may comprise a contact member configured to contact an ear canal wall. The communication device comprises a sound conduit in acoustic communication with a sound source and configured to provide for transmission of sound waves from the sound source through the sound conduit and into the sealed section of the ear canal. The sound conduit may comprise a first opening configured to provide for entry of sound waves from the sound source into the sound conduit. The sound conduit may comprise a second opening configured to provide for output of sound waves from the sound conduit into the ear canal. The sound conduit may comprise a conduit housing provided between the first opening and the second opening. The vent opening can be provided in the conduit housing. The vent opening can be configured to provide for venting of sound waves through the vent opening, in particular into an ambient environment in the ear canal downstream of the sealing mechanism, in particular outside of the sealed section. The vent opening may lead to an inner surface of the conduit housing.

A venting pathway may be defined as an acoustic pathway in the sound conduit, which pathway sound waves must traverse in order to travel from the sealed section to the ambient environment outside of the sealed section. In some instances, the venting pathway comprises a passage in between the second opening of the sound conduit and the ambient environment of the ear canal. The sound conduit may comprise a sound conduit chamber configured to provide for travelling of sound waves from the first opening to the second opening of the sound conduit. In particular, the sound conduit chamber can be configured to provide for travelling of sound waves from the first opening to the second opening along a central axis of the sound conduit.

The conduit housing may comprise a side wall. The side wall may at least partially delimit a sound conduit chamber in a direction of a central axis of the sound conduit. The side wall of the conduit housing may comprise a directional component, along which the side wall extends, the directional component being oriented in parallel to a central axis of the sound conduit. The side wall of the conduit housing may comprise another directional component, along which the side wall extends, that may not be oriented in parallel to the central axis of the sound conduit. The side wall thus may not extend perpendicular to the central axis of the sound conduit such that the sound conduit chamber is delimited in the direction of the central axis, in particular such that an acoustic pathway in the sound conduit chamber along the central axis is defined. In some instances, the side wall extends in a traverse direction with respect to the central axis, at least over a portion of the side wall, in particular at a slope to the central axis. In some instances, the side wall substantially extends in parallel to the central axis, at least over a portion of the side wall. The vent opening may be formed in the side wall of the conduit housing. The sound conduit chamber may be configured to provide for travelling of sound waves from the first opening to the second opening along the central axis of the sound conduit. The vent opening may lead to the sound conduit chamber.

In some instances, an opening of the sound conduit chamber is provided by the vent opening, in particular supplementary to the first opening and the second opening. The vent opening may form at least part of a passage in between the sound conduit chamber and the ambient environment of the ear canal. The sound conduit chamber may provide at least part of the venting pathway between the sealed region and the ambient environment. The venting pathway may comprise a venting inlet providing an inlet for sound waves into the sound conduit. The venting pathway may comprise a venting outlet providing an outlet for sound waves from the sound conduit. The venting outlet may comprise the vent opening, at least in one relative position of the conduit housing and the valve member during said relative motion. The venting inlet may comprise the second opening of the sound conduit. In this way, at least a part of an acoustic pathway in between the first opening and the second opening can be advantageously used as a venting pathway. In particular, the sound conduit may be configured such that sound waves entering the second opening can leave the sound conduit through the venting outlet. In addition or alternatively, the sound conduit may be configured such that the sound waves entering the first opening can partially traverse the sound conduit to the second opening into the ear canal and can partially leave the sound conduit through the venting outlet. In particular, the venting pathway may comprise the second opening of the sound conduit and the vent opening, at least in one relative position of the conduit housing and the valve member during said relative motion. Such a venting pathway can contribute to a high efficiency of the acoustic venting, in particular by exploiting a rather low impedance and/or acoustic mass provided in between the first opening and the second opening of the sound conduit. In some instances, the venting pathway substantially consists of the second opening of the sound conduit, at least a part of the sound conduit chamber, and the vent opening, at least in one relative position of the conduit housing and the valve member during said relative motion.

The conduit housing may comprise a housing opening provided at an open end of the conduit housing. The housing opening may be configured to provide for an exit of sound waves from the conduit housing, in particular of at least part of the sound waves entering the sound conduit from the first opening and/or the sound waves travelling through the sound conduit chamber to the housing opening. The housing opening may be configured to provide for an exit of sound waves in the direction of a central axis of the sound conduit. The venting pathway may comprise the housing opening. In particular, the venting pathway may extend through at least part of the sound conduit chamber which is at least partially delimited by a side wall of the conduit housing. In this way, the efficiency of the acoustic venting can be further improved, in particular by using a low impedance and/or acoustic mass of the sound conduit chamber or part of the sound conduit chamber within the conduit housing for the section of the venting pathway provided therein. In some instances, the venting inlet is provided by the housing opening, in particular in instances in which the second opening of the sound conduit is provided by the housing opening. In some other instances, the venting inlet is provided by the second opening and the venting pathway further extends through the housing opening, in particular in instances in which the second opening of the sound conduit is not provided by the housing opening. In particular, the venting pathway may comprise at least one of the housing opening and the second opening, and the vent opening, at least in one relative position of the conduit housing and the valve member during said relative motion, wherein the venting pathway may extend through the housing opening. In some instances, the venting pathway comprises the second opening, at least a part of the sound conduit chamber at least partially delimited by a side wall of the conduit housing, and the vent opening, at least in one relative position of the conduit housing and the valve member during said relative motion.

In some instances, the housing opening is provided at the second opening of the sound conduit. In particular, the second opening of the sound conduit may be provided by the housing opening and/or by an open end member linked to the conduit housing. In particular, the open end member may be interconnected with the conduit housing and/or inserted inside the conduit housing. In some instances, the housing opening is provided in between the first opening and the second opening of the sound conduit, in particular in the direction of the central axis of the sound conduit. In particular, the valve member may be arranged such that the valve member extends beyond the housing opening toward the second opening, at least in one relative position of the conduit housing and the valve member during said relative motion. The second opening of the sound conduit may be provided at an open end of the valve member and/or by an open end member linked to the valve member, in particular interconnected with the valve member and/or inserted inside the valve member. Thus, the open end member linked to the conduit housing and/or the valve member may comprise at least part of the second opening of the sound conduit. The open end member may comprise an input opening, in particular at an opposed end of the open end member with respect to the second opening of the sound conduit. The input opening of the open end member may be configured to provide for entry of sound waves, in particular from at least one of the conduit housing and the valve member. For instance, a wax filter may be provided as an open end member, in particular in the conduit housing and/or valve member.

The conduit housing and/or the valve member may comprise a coupling surface at which the moveable coupling is provided. The relative motion can be directed along the coupling surface. In particular, the relative motion may be provided at least one of in parallel to the coupling surface, and in a peripheral direction of the coupling surface, in particular around the coupling surface. In this way, a guidance for said relative motion can be provided by the coupling surface such that a relative displacement in between the valve member and the conduit housing can be facilitated. In some instances, at least one of the conduit housing and the valve member comprises a coupling surface at which the moveable coupling is provided. In some instances, a corresponding coupling surface is provided at the other of the conduit housing and the valve member. In particular, the moveable coupling may be provided by linking, in particular contacting, the coupling surface of the conduit housing with the coupling surface of the valve member. Said relative motion can be directed along the coupling surface. The coupling surface may be provided with small frictional properties. Thus, said relative motion can be provided with an activation by a rather low activation force. In particular, the frictional properties of the coupling surface may be provided to be smaller than frictional properties of the sealing mechanism abutting on an ear canal wall during usage of the device. Thus, said relative motion can be configured to be provided by a lower activation force as compared to a force that would be required to displace the sealing mechanism inside the ear canal. Such a smooth movability on the coupling surface can on the one hand contribute to the reliability of the venting adjustment. On the other hand, the smooth movability on the coupling surface can be advantageously exploited to allow a motion of one of the conduit housing and the valve member, wherein the other of the conduit housing and the valve member can stay in a fixed position inside the ear canal. In this way, an advantageous activation of the venting adjustment during usage of the device inside an ear canal can be provided.

In some instances, the coupling surface is provided at a surface of a side wall of the conduit housing. In particular, the coupling surface may be provided on at least one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the conduit housing. The term inner surface may generally relate to a surface oriented towards a central axis of the sound conduit, in particular a surface facing the central axis of the sound conduit. The term outer surface may generally relate to a surface pointing in an opposed direction with respect to a central axis of the sound conduit, in particular a surface facing away from the central axis of the sound conduit. The valve member may be at least partially disposed at the coupling surface of the conduit housing. In some instances, the coupling surface is provided at a surface of a side wall of the valve member. In particular, the coupling surface may be provided on at least one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the valve member. The conduit housing may be at least partially disposed at the coupling surface of the valve member. Such a sideward arrangement of the coupling surface can be exploited to enable said relative motion in a reliable way, in particular such that an effective venting can be realized by exploiting an advantageous venting pathway in which a vent opening and/or a valve opening is facing an ear canal wall. In some instances, the valve member is disposed at least partially around the coupling surface of the conduit housing, in particular around an inner surface and/or an outer surface of the conduit housing. The valve member may comprise a substrate disposed on the conduit housing, in particular at least partially around the coupling surface of the conduit housing, in particular an inner and/or outer surface of the conduit housing.

A venting distance may be defined as a distance in the sound conduit in direction of the central axis of the sound conduit in between the second opening and a centre of the vent opening. A proximity of the vent opening to the second opening of the sound conduit may be provided by a small value of the venting distance. This can contribute to an increased efficiency of the venting of sound waves by providing a comparatively small value of the acoustic mass in the venting pathway, leading to a comparatively low acoustic impedance. In particular, the venting distance may correspond to not more than fifteen times of a diameter of the second opening and/or an inner diameter of a side wall of the conduit housing, in particular a side wall at least partially delimiting the sound conduit chamber. In some instances, the venting distance corresponds to not more than ten times of a diameter of the second opening and/or an inner diameter of a side wall of the conduit housing, in particular a side wall at least partially delimiting the sound conduit chamber. In some instances, the venting distance corresponds to not more than five times of a diameter of the second opening and/or an inner diameter of a side wall of the conduit housing, in particular a side wall at least partially delimiting the sound conduit chamber. In some instances, the venting distance corresponds to not more than 10 millimetres. In some instances, the venting distance corresponds to not more than 5 millimetres.

In some instances, the vent opening is provided within an axial length of the sealing mechanism. Such an arrangement can also contribute to an increased efficiency of the venting of sound waves, in particular by providing the sealing mechanism and the vent opening at a corresponding axial region, which may be done to provide said proximity of the vent opening to the second opening. The sealing mechanism may comprise a contact surface configured to contact an ear canal wall. The sealing mechanism, in particular the contact surface of the sealing mechanism, may be provided at the second opening and/or close the second opening.

In this way, a proximity of the vent opening to the second opening can be advantageously combined with such a provision of the sealing mechanism, in particular the contact surface of the sealing mechanism, close to the second opening with respect to the axial direction. The axial length of the sealing mechanism may be defined as a total length of the sealing mechanism, in particular the contact surface, in which the sealing mechanism, in particular the contact surface, extends in the direction of the central axis of the sound conduit. The sealing mechanism, in particular the contact surface, may be configured to be deformed inside an ear canal, such that its total length in parallel to central axis may vary when inserted in differently sized ear canals. In some instances, the axial length of sealing mechanism is defined as a total length of the contact surface of the sealing mechanism, in which the contact surface of the sealing mechanism extends in the direction of the central axis of the sound conduit, when the contact surface of the sealing mechanism is in an un-deformed state, in particular when the sealing mechanism may not be inserted into an ear canal and/or no other forces may be applied on the contact surface of the sealing mechanism.

The translational motion of the valve member may include or consist of a motion along a surface of the conduit housing. The translational motion of the conduit housing may include or consist of a motion along a surface of the valve member. The translational motion may include or consist of a longitudinal motion. The translational motion of at least one of the valve member and the conduit housing may include or consist of a motion in parallel to a central axis of the sound conduit. The rotational motion of the valve member may include or consist of a motion along a surface of the conduit housing. The rotational motion of the conduit housing may include or consist of a motion along a surface of the valve member. The rotational motion may include or consist of a circular motion. In particular, the rotational motion of at least one of the valve member and the conduit housing can include or consist of a motion around a central axis of the sound conduit.

The communication device may comprise a device housing configured to be at least partially inserted in the ear canal. The conduit housing may be integrated with the device housing. The conduit housing may be attached to the device housing. In some instances, the sound source is provided inside the device housing. The sound source may be enclosed in the conduit housing. Alternatively or additionally, the sound source may be enclosed in a sound source housing. The sound source housing may adjoin the conduit housing, in particular at an end of the conduit housing. The sound source housing may be integrated with the housing of the communication device. Thus, the conduit housing and/or the sound source housing may form an integral part of the communication device housing. In other instances, the sound source is provided externally from the communication device housing and may communicate sounds into the communication device housing via an acoustic pathway, in particular a sound tube.

In some instances, a microphone and/or an input circuitry is provided inside the housing of the communication device, in particular inside the conduit housing and/or the sound source housing and/or a separate housing.

The communication device may include a part that is disposed outside of the ear canal. For example, the communication device may comprise at least one of a sound source, a microphone, an antenna, and an external circuitry that are disposed at least partially outside the ear canal. The external components may be configured to communicate with the part of the communication device inside the ear canal. For example, the external components may use wired/wireless-communication to communicate with the in-ear portion and/or may communicate sounds via an acoustic pathway, such as a sound tube. In some embodiments, an external portion of the communication device may be positioned behind a user's ear. In particular, the communication device may comprise a receiver-in-canal hearing instrument. A wax filter may be provided in the sound conduit, in particular at the second opening of the sound conduit

The sealing mechanism may comprise at least one of a portion of the communication device housing, a flexible member coupled with the communication device housing, a portion of the conduit housing, a flexible member coupled with the conduit housing, a portion of the valve member, and a flexible member coupled with the valve member. In this way, the sealing mechanism can be configured to be precisely fitted inside an ear canal, in particular such that it is firmly seated inside the ear canal. Thus, a comparatively large force may be required, in particular by a manual twisting and/or pulling, to remove the sealing mechanism from the ear canal after its insertion. This aspect may be exploited for an advantageous venting adjustment during usage of the device in an ear canal.

In some instances, the sealing mechanism is provided by the conduit housing and/or rigidly attached to the conduit housing. In some of these instances, the valve member is configured such that said relative motion comprises at least one of a translational motion of the valve member, and a rotational motion of the valve member. In some instances, the sealing mechanism is provided by the valve member and/or rigidly connected to the valve member. In some of these instances, the conduit housing is configured such that said relative motion comprises at least one of a translational motion of the conduit housing; and a rotational motion of the conduit housing. In some instances, the valve member is configured such that in use movement of the valve member in the ear canal provides for said relative motion of the valve member and the conduit housing. In some instances, the conduit housing is configured such that in use movement of the conduit housing in the ear canal provides for said relative motion of the valve member and the conduit housing. In some of these instances, the communication device is configured such that in use movement of the communication device in the ear canal provides for said relative motion of the valve member and the conduit housing. In particular, the conduit housing may be configured such that an in use movement of the communication device provides said translational and/or rotational motion of the conduit housing, in particular relative to the valve member and/or relative to the ear channel.

An electrical activation of said relative motion can be advantageous in order to facilitate a control of the valve member, in particular during an in use activation when the device is inserted in an ear canal. Accordingly, the device comprises an actuator, in particular an electrical actuator. The actuator may be configured to activate said relative motion, in particular in dependence of an electrical signal provided to the actuator. In some instances, the electrical activation of said relative motion may be in particular advantageous when the valve member is configured for said translational and/or rotational motion and/or when the valve member is located far inside the ear canal during an in use manipulation. In some of these instances, a manual handling of the valve member may only account for a relatively inaccurate venting adjustment and may also lead to an undesired displacement of the whole communication device with respect to the ear canal. By an electrical activation of the valve member, those negative side effects can be avoided. In some instances, a manual and/or electrical activation of said relative motion may be advantageous to operate the movement of the conduit housing, in particular during use inside an ear canal. An electrical actuation may offer the advantage of a more accurate control of the venting adjustment and/or an increased ease of use.

The electrical actuator may be configured to activate said relative motion, in particular in dependence of an electrical signal provided to the actuator. In some instances, the actuator is configured to move the valve member, in particular the acoustic valve. The actuator may comprise at least one of a coil assembly and a magnetic system. The actuator may be configured to provide a magnetic field, by which magnetic field a driving force for said relative motion is provided. In this way, an accurate activation of said relative motion can be provided, wherein a reliable functionality and/or a possibility of a convenient positioning of such a magnetic field may be exploited. The actuator may comprise a first driving part fixedly coupled to the conduit housing and a second driving part fixedly coupled to the valve member. The first driving part and the second driving part may be configured to interact via the magnetic field. At least one of the first driving part and second driving part may comprise a conductor configured to be supplied with a current. In some instances, the conductor is positioned in the magnetic field such said a Lorentz force can be generated in the conductor by said current. Said relative motion may thus be actuated by said Lorentz force. In some instances, the conductor is configured to generate at least part of said magnetic field. Said relative motion may thus be actuated by an interaction with said magnetic field. The conductor may be provided by a coil, in particular a solenoid.

At least one of the first driving part and the second driving part may comprise a magnetic member. The magnetic member may be configured to generate a magnetic field and/or comprise a magnetizable material and/or comprise a conductor configured to be supplied with a current such that a Lorentz force can be generated in the conductor. The magnetic member may be configured to provide at least part of said magnetic field providing a driving force for said relative motion and/or at least part of a magnetic field providing a retention force for a retention of the valve member and the conduit housing in a relative position, in particular before and/or after said relative motion. The magnetic member may be configured to generate a magnetic field. In addition or alternatively, the magnetic member may comprise a magnetizable material. The magnetizable material may be defined as a material capable of being magnetized when positioned in a magnetic field. In addition or alternatively, the magnetic member may comprise a conductor configured to be supplied with a current such that a Lorentz force can be generated in the conductor when positioned in a magnetic field. In some instances, the magnetic member of the second driving part is provided at an inner surface of the valve member. In some instances, the magnetic member of the second driving part is provided at an outer surface of the valve member. In some instances, the magnetic member of the first driving part is provided at an inner surface of a side wall of the conduit housing, in particular an inner side wall and/or an outer side wall of the conduit housing. In some instances, the magnetic member of the first driving part is provided at an outer surface of a side wall of the conduit housing, in particular an inner side wall and/or an outer side wall of the conduit housing. The inner surface may be directed toward a central axis of the sound conduit. The outer surface may be oriented in an opposing direction with respect to a central axis of the sound conduit. In some instances, each of the first driving part and second driving part comprises a magnetic member. In some instances, the magnetic member of at least one of the first driving part and second driving part comprises a conductor configured to be supplied with a current. Thus, the conductor can be configured to generate at least part of the magnetic field. The conductor may be provided by a coil, in particular a solenoid. The actuator may be configured to activate said relative motion by providing or changing a current through the conductor. In some instances, the magnetic member of at least one of the first driving part and second driving part comprises a permanent magnet.

In some instances, at least one of the first driving part and second driving part comprises a magnetic member comprising a magnetizable element. The magnetizable element may comprise a magnetizable material. The magnetizable element may be provided by a ferromagnetic element. The magnetic member may comprise the magnetizable element and a conductor configured to generate at least part of said magnetic field, in particular by a current flowing through the conductor. The conductor may be provided by a coil, in particular a solenoid. The magnetizable element may be provided in a range of the conductor, the range selected such that the magnetizable element is configured to be magnetized, in particular by magnetic induction, by a magnetic field provided by the conductor, in particular by a current flowing through the conductor. A magnetic range of the conductor may be defined as a range in which the conductor is capable to magnetize the magnetizable element, in particular by magnetic induction. The magnetizable element may thus be provided within the magnetic range of the conductor. In this way, at least part of said magnetic field may be provided by the magnetizable element. The magnetizable element may be thus configured to generate at least part of said magnetic field independent from the conductor, in particular after a deactivation of a part of the magnetic field provided by the conductor. The magnetizable element may be configured to store at least part of said magnetic field, in particular produced by the conductor in the magnetizable element by magnetic induction from the conductor. The actuator may be configured to deactivate at least part of the magnetic field provided by the conductor, in particular by reducing or disabling a current flowing through the conductor. The magnetizable element may be configured to continue to provide at least part of said magnetic field after said deactivation of at least part of the magnetic field provided by the conductor. Thus, said relative motion and/or a retention of a relative position of the valve member and the conduit housing before and/or after said relative motion may be provided by the magnetic field provided from the magnetizable element, in particular after magnetic induction from the conductor. This can be exploited to minimize the energy consumption of the conductor, which may only be supplied with a current during a limited time interval, such that a desired amount of said magnetic field can be provided by magnetic field induced into the magnetizable element by the conductor.

The magnetic member may comprise a magnetic pole, wherein flux lines of a magnetic field emanate from the magnetic pole. In particular, the magnetic pole may be provided at a pole surface of the magnetic member, such that flux lines of the magnetic field emanate at the pole surface. In some instances, the pole surface is provided by an end surface of a permanent magnet. In some instances, the pole surface is provided by a virtual surface located at an end of a coil. In some instances, the pole surface is provided by a virtual surface at an end of a coil. In some instances, the pole surface is provided by an end surface of a solenoid comprising a conductor coiled around a central axis, in particular by a virtual end surface of the solenoid and/or by an end surface of a core formed of a magnetizable material of the solenoid. The magnetizable core of the solenoid may extend in the direction of the central axis around which the conductor is coiled.

In some instances, the magnetic member of at least one of the first driving part and second driving part comprises a magnetic pole comprising a pole surface configured such that flux lines of said magnetic field can emanate on the pole surface. The magnetic member of the other of said first driving part and second driving part may be provided in a space permeated by said flux lines of said magnetic field. In some instances, the pole surface comprises a curvature around a central axis of the sound conduit. In particular, a rotational motion of the valve member relative to the conduit housing may thus be provided, more particularly around the central axis of the sound conduit. The pole surface may be provided by at least one of an inner and outer surface of the magnetic member. The curvature may be provided in a direction of a circumference of a side wall of the conduit housing. In particular, the magnetic member may extend in a peripheral direction of a side wall of the conduit housing. The curvature may be circular. The magnetic member may be cylindrical. In some instances, the pole surface points in a direction at which the second opening of the sound conduit is provided. In particular, a translational motion of the valve member relative to the conduit housing may thus be provided, more particularly in a direction pointing toward and/or away from the second opening. The direction in which the pole surface points may comprise a directional component of a direction in which a central axis of the sound conduit extends.

In some instances, at least one of the first driving part and second driving part comprises two of said magnetic members. The magnetic members may comprise a magnetic pole, in particular a pole surface, configured such that such that flux lines of said magnetic field can permeate a space in between the magnetic poles, in particular pole surfaces, of the magnetic members. The magnetic member of the other of said first driving part and second driving part may be provided in a space permeated by said flux lines of the magnetic field. In some instances, the magnetic poles, in particular pole surfaces, are pointing in opposite directions, wherein the flux lines are provided such that they permeate a space surrounding the magnetic poles. In some instances, the magnetic poles, in particular pole surfaces, are facing each other, wherein the flux lines are provided such that they permeate a space in between the magnetic poles. In some instances, the magnetic members of at least one of the first driving part and second driving part are spaced from one another at a spacing distance. The magnetic members may be configured to provide for the magnetic interaction with the other of said first driving part and second driving part within the spacing distance. The magnetic member of the other of said first driving part and second driving part may be provided within the spacing distance, in particular such that said relative motion can be provided within the spacing distance.

In some instances, said relative motion comprises a direction of motion pointing in parallel to the spacing distance. In particular, a translational motion of the valve member relative to the conduit housing may be thus provided. In some instances, said relative motion comprises a direction of motion along a pole surface of at least one of the magnetic members spaced from one another at a spacing distance, in particular along a curvature of the pole surface. In particular, a rotational motion of the valve member relative to the conduit housing may be thus provided. In some instances, the magnetic members are arranged such that the spacing distance extends in parallel to a side wall of the conduit housing. In particular, a translational motion of the valve member relative to the conduit housing may thus be provided, more particularly in a direction in which the side wall of the conduit housing extends. The magnetic members may be arranged such that the spacing distance comprises a directional component in the direction of a central axis of the sound conduit. In some instances, the magnetic members are arranged such that the spacing distance extends across a diameter of a side wall of the conduit housing. In particular, a rotational motion of the valve member relative to the conduit housing may thus be provided, more particularly in a direction of a circumference of the side wall. The magnetic members may be arranged such that the spacing distance comprises a directional component perpendicular to a central axis of the sound conduit.

In some instances, at least one of the magnetic members spaced from one another at the spacing distance comprises a conductor, in particular a coil, configured to be supplied with a current, such that the conductor is configured to provide at least part of said magnetic field, in particular by a current flowing through the conductor. In this way, at least part of the magnetic field within the spacing distance may be provided. The actuator may be configured to activate said relative motion by providing or changing a current through the conductor, in particular coil, provided in at least one of the magnetic members of the first driving part and second driving part. In particular, the actuator may be configured to selectively activate a direction of said relative motion by at least one of: providing or increasing a current flowing through one of the conductors of said two magnetic members spaced from one another at the spacing distance; disabling or reducing a current flowing through one of the conductors of the magnetic members spaced from one another at the spacing distance; and changing a direction of the current flowing through at least one of the conductors.

In particular, both of the magnetic members spaced from one another at the spacing distance may comprise such a conductor. At least one of the magnetic members spaced from one another at the spacing distance may comprise a magnetizable element in a magnetic range of the conductor of this magnetic member. In particular, each of the magnetic members spaced from one another at the spacing distance may comprise an associated magnetizable element in a magnetic range of the conductor of the respective magnetic member. The magnetic member of the other of the first driving part and second driving part provided within the spacing distance may comprise a permanent magnet configured to interact with the magnetic field provided within the spacing distance. In this way, an energy consumption of the magnetic member provided within the spacing distance can be avoided. Alternatively or additionally, the magnetic member provided within the spacing distance may be also provided with such a conductor. In some instances, at least one of the magnetic members, in particular both magnetic members, spaced from one another at the spacing distance comprises a permanent magnet configured to generate at least part of said magnetic field, in order to provide at least part of the magnetic field within the spacing distance. Thus, an energy consumption of the magnetic members spaced from one another at the spacing distance can be avoided. The magnetic member of the other of the first driving part and second driving part provided within the spacing distance may comprise a conductor, in particular a coil, configured to be supplied with a current, such that the conductor is configured to generate at least part of said magnetic field, in particular by a current flowing through the conductor. The magnetic member provided within the spacing distance can thus be configured to interact with the magnetic field provided within the spacing distance. The magnetic member provided within the spacing distance may comprise a magnetizable element in a magnetic range of the conductor of the magnetic member provided within the spacing distance.

In some instances, at least one of the magnetic members is configured such that a retention force is provided by said magnetic field. The retention force can be employed such that the valve member and the conduit housing can be retained in a stable position, in particular static position, at a respective end position of said relative motion of the valve member and the conduit housing. Such a stable position may be defined as a relative position in which the valve member and the conduit housing are retained such that the valve member and the conduit housing remain in this position during environmental forces acting on the communication device. The environmental forces may comprise vibrational forces, gravitational forces and/or acceleration forces. Such environmental forces may occur during everyday use of the device by a user, for instance when the user moves fast or drops the device. Thus, a stability for the relative position of the valve member and the conduit housing after said relative motion can be provided, in particular at the respective end position of said relative motion of the valve member and the conduit housing. In particular, a bi-stability in between two different end positions of said relative motion may thus be provided. The end positions of said relative motion may comprise at least one relative position of the valve member and the conduit housing in which the vent opening is at least partially open. The end positions of said relative motion may comprise at least one relative position of the valve member and the conduit housing in which the vent opening is at least partially closed. Thus, a bi-stability in between an alignment position of the vent opening, in particular an open position of the vent opening, and a closed position of the vent opening can be provided. This can increase the reliability and/or safety of the valve adjustment, in particular during every day usage.

The retention force may be at least partially provided from a magnetizable element of the magnetic member, in particular when the current supply of a conductor of the magnetic member is reduced and/or turned off. The magnetizable element may be arranged within a magnetic range of the respective conductor, such that the magnetizable element is configured to be magnetized by a magnetic field generated by the conductor at least when the current supply of the conductor is not reduced and/or turned off, in particular during said relative motion. For instance, the current supply of the conductor of the magnetic member may be reduced and/or turned off after said relative motion, in particular when the valve member and the conduit housing have arrived at a relative end position. Thus, an energy consumption of the device can be reduced. The conductor of the magnetic member may substantially only be supplied with a current during an activation time period in order to actuate said relative motion in between the end positions, in particular such that said magnetic field providing the driving force for said relative motion is at least partially provided by the conductor. After the activation time period, a decrease of the current supply of the conductor may lead to a predominant part of said magnetic field provided by the magnetizable element, in particular such that said magnetic field for said retention force after said relative motion is at least predominantly provided by the magnetizable element.

In some embodiments, the magnetic members spaced from one another at the spacing distance each comprise a conductor configured to be supplied with a current and a magnetizable element within the range of the respective conductor. The retention force may at least partially be provided at each end of the spacing distance from the magnetizable element of the magnetic member at the respective end of the spacing distance, in particular when said current supply of the conductor is reduced and/or turned off. In this way, a bi-stability for said relative motion in between the end positions at each respective end of the spacing distance may be provided. The magnetic members spaced from one another at a spacing distance of at least one of the first driving part and second driving part may thus be configured such that a retention force is provided by said magnetic field at each end of the spacing distance. By the retention force the magnetic member of the other of the first driving part and second driving part provided within the spacing distance can be retained in a stable position at a respective end position of said relative motion.

At least one of the first driving part and second driving part may be provided in the sound conduit, in particular in the conduit housing. In some instances, at least one magnetic member of at least one of the first driving part and second driving part is provided at a larger axial distance from the second opening than an axial distance of the vent opening from the second opening. In particular, at least one of the first driving part and second driving part may be provided at a larger axial distance from the second opening than an axial distance of the vent opening from the second opening. The axial distance may be defined as a distance in the direction of a central axis of the sound conduit. In this way, the actuator may be provided in such a way that a venting pathway through the vent opening can be effectively traversed by the sound waves, in particular such that an obstruction of the traversing sound waves by the actuator can be minimized. At least one of the first driving part and second driving part may be provided at a radial distance from a central axis from the sound conduit. At least one of the first driving part and second driving part may be provided in an actuator housing. The actuator housing may be provided inside the sound conduit, in particular inside the conduit housing. In some instances, the conduit housing comprises an outer side wall and an inner side wall, the outer side wall having a larger distance from a central axis of the sound conduit than the inner side wall. The actuator housing may comprise at least one of a portion of the outer side wall and a portion of the inner side wall. At least one magnetic member of at least one of the first driving part and second driving part may be provided in between the outer side wall and the inner side wall. In particular, at least one of the first driving part and second driving part may be provided in between the outer side wall and the inner side wall. The actuator housing may be provided at a first end of the sound conduit, the first end being opposed to a second end of the sound conduit at which the second opening is provided. The actuator housing may be provided at a larger axial distance from the second opening than an axial distance of the vent opening from the second opening.

In some instances, the valve member is configured such that said relative motion adjusts the vent opening between an alignment position and a closed position. The alignment position may defined as a relative position during said relative movement, in which relative position the valve member is positioned, in particular on the coupling surface of the conduit housing, such that the vent opening is at least partially open. The closed position may be defined as a relative position during said relative movement, in which relative position the valve member is positioned, in particular on the coupling surface of the conduit housing, such that the vent opening is closed. In some instances, the valve member includes a valve opening. The alignment position may defined as a relative position during said relative movement, in which relative position the vent opening and the valve opening are aligned such that the vent opening is at least partially open. The closed position may be defined as a relative position during said relative movement, in which relative position the vent opening and the valve opening are unaligned such that the vent opening is closed.

In some instances, the valve member is configured such that said relative motion variably adjusts the vent opening between the alignment position and the closed position. In particular, the variable adjustment may be provided such that the valve member is configured to move to at least two distinct alignment positions as an end position of said relative motion, wherein different opening sizes of the at least partially opened vent opening are provided in each of the distinct alignment positions. Such a variable adjustment can advantageously account for a selective adjustment of an amount at which the venting of sound waves shall be provided, in particular according to momentary demands of the user. In particular, the variable adjustment may be provided such that the valve member is configured to continuously move in between different alignment positions during said relative motion, wherein different opening sizes of the at least partially opened vent opening are provided in each of the alignment positions. Such a continuous adjustment can advantageously provide for a fading effect during the venting adjustment, by which fading effect the transition between a start position and end position of said relative motion may be perceived in gradual phases, in particular such that the acoustical perception of a user during the transition is more pleasant as compared to an abrupt transition in between the start position and end position of said relative motion.

Said relative motion may comprise a displacement of the complete conduit housing relative to the complete valve member. In some configurations, the relative motion comprises a displacement of at least part of the conduit housing relative to the complete valve member. In some configurations, the relative motion comprises a displacement of the complete conduit housing relative to at least part of the valve member. In some configurations, the relative motion comprises a displacement of the complete conduit housing relative to the complete valve member. The latter configurations can offer the advantage of an optimized energy usage, when the involved parts are completely displaced with respect to one another, in particular such that no other device parts are relatively displaced and additional frictional effects at a remote position can thus be avoided. The valve member may be configured to be preserved in a substantially un-deformed shape during said relative motion. The conduit housing may also be configured to be preserved in a substantially un-deformed shape during said relative motion. In this way, a material wear of the components can be minimized contributing to a longevity and reliability of the venting mechanism. The translational motion of the valve member may comprise a motion with respect to the conduit housing and/or the translational motion of the conduit housing may comprise a motion with respect to the valve member and/or the rotational motion of the valve member may comprise a motion with respect to the conduit housing and/or the rotational motion of the conduit housing may comprise a motion with respect to the valve member.

In some instances, the conduit housing comprises a portion defining at least a part of the sound conduit chamber configured to provide for travelling of sound waves through the sound conduit from the first opening to the second opening. To this end, the conduit housing may comprise a conduit wall, in particular a side wall. The conduit wall may at least partially delimit the sound conduit chamber, in particular in a direction of at least a portion of a pathway of the sound waves propagating through the conduit chamber, in particular in between the first opening and the second opening of the sound conduit. A central axis of the sound conduit may be defined such that the central axis extends through a centre of the sound conduit chamber, in particular in parallel to a propagation direction of the sound waves in the sound conduit chamber. The sound conduit chamber may comprise a portion with a tubular shape, in particular a rotational symmetric shape around the central axis. For instance, the sound conduit chamber may comprise a portion with a cylindrical shape, wherein the central axis may be defined as a central axis of this cylindrical portion. In some instances, the central axis of the sound conduit substantially coincides with a central axis of the conduit housing.

A side wall of the conduit housing may separate, in particular delimit, an inner space of the conduit housing from the exterior of the conduit housing, in particular sound conduit. The side wall may thus separate an inner space of the conduit housing, in particular sound conduit, from a volume of the ear canal, in particular delimited by an ear canal wall, when the device is inserted in the ear canal. In some instances, at least part of the sound conduit chamber is delimited by the side wall such that the sound conduit chamber is provided by said inner space. The side wall may thus define a conduit wall. In particular, the side wall may comprise a substantially tubular component comprising the first opening the second opening and the vent opening. In this way, a sound conduit tube may be formed by the side wall. In some instances, the conduit housing comprises an outer side wall delimiting an inner space of the conduit housing from the exterior. The conduit housing may further comprise an inner side wall provided inside said inner space of the conduit housing. In some instances, at least part of the sound conduit chamber may be delimited by the inner side wall. The inner side wall may thus define a conduit wall. In some instances, at least part of the sound conduit chamber may be delimited by the outer side wall. The outer side wall may thus define a conduit wall. In particular, the first opening of the sound conduit may be provided at a first end of the inner conduit wall and the second opening of the sound conduit may be provided at a second end of at least one of the inner conduit wall and the outer conduit wall. In particular, the side wall may comprise a substantially tubular component. The tubular component may comprise the first opening, the second opening, and the vent opening.

The conduit housing may comprise a side wall between the first opening and the second opening of the sound conduit. The vent opening may be formed in the side wall of the conduit housing. In some instances, the valve member is disposed at least partially around an outer surface of the side wall of the conduit housing, in particular such that said coupling surface is at least partially provided at the outer surface of the side wall. In some embodiments, the valve member is disposed at least partially around an inner surface of the side wall of the conduit housing, in particular such that said coupling surface is at least partially provided at the inner surface of the side wall. In some embodiments, the valve member is disposed at least partially around an inner surface and an outer surface of the side wall of the conduit housing, in particular such that said coupling surface is at least partially provided at the inner surface and at the outer surface of the side wall. In particular, the inner surface and the outer surface of the side wall may be facing each other, wherein the valve member may be disposed in between. In some instances, the valve member is disposed at a side wall of the conduit housing such that the valve member at least partially projects from an end of the side wall of the conduit housing. In particular, the valve member may project from an end of the side wall at which the second opening of the sound conduit is provided, at least in one relative position of said relative motion of the valve member and the sound conduit. In some instances, the valve member is disposed at a side wall of the conduit housing such that the valve member is arranged in between the first opening and the second opening of the sound conduit, at least in one relative position in said relative motion of the valve member and the sound conduit.

The first opening of the sound conduit may be provided at a sound source output configured to provide for exit of sound waves from the sound source. For instance, a sound tube and/or a sound wave generation means of the sound source may be provided at the first opening or in proximity to the first opening. The conduit housing may comprise an end wall. The first opening of the sound conduit may be formed in the end wall. A rear wall of the conduit housing may thus be formed by the end wall. In some instances, the vent opening comprises an opening in the end wall, in particular in the rear wall. In some instances, the first opening of the sound conduit is provided in the end wall of the conduit housing. In some instances, the first opening of the sound conduit is disposed between the end wall of the conduit housing and the second opening of the sound conduit. The sound source output may be provided at the end wall. The sound source output may extend into the conduit housing such that the first opening of the sound conduit is disposed between the end wall and the second opening of the sound conduit. The sound source output may comprise a sound source conduit provided at the end wall and/or extending into to conduit housing. The second opening of the sound conduit may be formed in the end wall. A front wall of the conduit housing may thus be formed by the end wall. In some instances, the vent opening comprises an opening in the end wall, in particular in the front wall. In some instances, the conduit housing comprises two end walls, wherein a rear wall and a front wall is formed by the end walls.

The valve member may comprise a first axial opening, in particular configured to provide for an entry of sound waves into a volume at which the valve member is provided, and a second axial opening, in particular configured to provide for an exit of sound waves from a volume at which the valve member is provided. The first axial opening and/or the second axial opening of the valve member may be oriented in the direction of a central axis of the sound conduit. The first axial opening may be provided at a first open end of the valve member. The second axial opening may be provided at a second open end of the valve member. The first axial opening and the second axial opening may be spaced from one another in the direction of a central axis of the sound conduit. The valve member may be configured to receive the conduit housing or to be received by the conduit housing, in particular at the first axial opening. In some instances, the second axial opening of the valve member is provided at the conduit housing, in particular at a housing opening or in front of a housing opening with respect to the direction of sound waves travelling along the central axis of the sound conduit. The second opening of the sound conduit may thus be defined by the housing opening and/or the second axial opening of the valve member. In some instances, the second axial opening of the valve member is provided at a distance from the conduit housing, in particular behind a housing opening with respect to the direction of sound waves travelling along the central axis of the sound conduit. The second opening of the sound conduit may then be defined by the second valve opening.

The valve member may comprise a side wall, in particular between the first axial opening and the second axial opening. At least a part of the side wall of the valve member may be configured to receive at least a part of the conduit housing or to be received by at least a part of the conduit housing. The valve member may comprise a side wall having at least one of an inner diameter substantially matching an outer diameter of the side wall of the sound conduit, and an outer diameter substantially matching an inner diameter of the side wall of the sound conduit. The term inner diameter may refer to a diameter in between opposing portions of an inner surface. The term outer diameter may refer to a diameter in between opposing portions of an outer surface. In some instances, the inner diameter and/or outer diameter extends through a central axis of the sound conduit. The valve opening may be formed in the side wall of the valve member. The valve member may comprise a vent chamber configured to provide for travelling of sound waves, in particular from the first axial opening to the second axial opening of the valve member. The vent chamber may be delimited by the side wall of the valve member.

At least one vent opening is provided in the conduit housing. In some instances, the vent opening is provided in the conduit housing such that the vent opening faces the central axis of the sound conduit. In some instances, the vent opening is provided in the conduit housing such that the vent opening is oriented in a transverse direction with respect to the central axis of the sound conduit, in particular in parallel to the central axis of the sound conduit. The valve member may be configured such that the valve member can be positioned at least one of in a different axial position with respect to the central axis and in a different circumferential position with respect to the central axis than the vent opening, in particular in a moving position of said relative motion in which the vent opening is at least partially opened. The valve member may comprise a valve surface configured to be relatively moved to the vent opening such that the vent opening is at least partially covered in at least one position of said relative motion by the valve surface. The valve surface may be larger than the vent opening. Further conceivable is a valve surface having the same size than the vent opening or smaller than the vent opening. In some instances, the valve member comprises a valve opening configured to be relatively moved to the vent opening such that the vent opening is at least partially uncovered in at least one position of said relative motion by the valve opening. The valve opening may have at least one of the same size, a larger size, and a smaller size as the vent opening. In some instances, a plurality of vent openings is provided in the conduit housing. The vent openings may be spaced from one another. The valve member may be configured such that the valve member can be positioned in between the vent openings, in particular in a moving position of said relative motion in which the vent openings are at least partially opened. The vent openings may be provided at the same axial position with respect to the central axis in the conduit housing. The vent openings may have a corresponding shape, in order to provide for homogeneous venting properties. Further conceivable are vent openings having a different shape. In some instances, the valve member comprises a plurality of valve openings. In particular, an equal number of valve openings and vent openings may be provided.

The conduit housing may comprise a stop to prevent at least one of the valve member and the conduit housing moving, in particular at an end position of said relative motion. The stop may be provided at a position of the conduit housing at which position an end position of the valve member for said relative motion is provided. In this way, a spatial restriction of said relative motion may be provided by the stop, in particular such that said relative motion may be restricted. In some embodiments, two stops are provided at a respective end position of said relative motion, in particular such that the relative motion may be restricted within two end positions. The stop may comprise a stopping member. The stop may be provided on the coupling surface and/or at an end of the coupling surface of at least one of the conduit housing and the valve member. The stop may be provided as a surface structure on the conduit housing. The stop may be provided as a projection on a surface of the conduit housing. Such a surface projection may comprise a wall, in particular an end wall, protruding from a surface of conduit housing. Such a surface projection may comprise an edge protruding from a surface of conduit housing. In some instances, the stop comprises a damping material. In particular, the surface projection may be coated by a damping material. The damping material can provide a damping of an impact of the valve member at the stop, in particular at the end of said relative motion, in particular at an end position of said relative motion. In this way, the relative motion can be stopped rather gently at the end position of said relative motion. By such a damping provided at the end position, a hard impact of the valve member with respect to the stop provided at the conduit housing can be effectively avoided. Thus, disturbing sound effects at the end of said relative motion which would be caused by such a hard impact can be effectively avoided. In some embodiments, the damping material comprises an elastomer, in particular an elastomeric rubber. For instance, the elastomer may comprise at least one of a silicone elastomer, a polyester elastomer, a fluoroelastomer, a perfluoroelastomer, and a polyurethane elastomer.

The present disclosure further relates to a method for adjusting venting of a communication device configured for use in a communication device user's ear canal. The method may comprise the step of creating a seal between the communication device and an ear canal of a user of the communication device. The method may comprise the step of adjusting alignment of an opening in a sound conduit of the communication device and an opening in a vent valve to adjust venting of acoustic signals through the sound conduit. The communication device may comprise a housing and a sound conduit configured to deliver sound from a sound source disposed in the housing into the ear canal. The communication device may comprise a seal mechanism to seal the communication device with the ear canal. The method may comprise the step of using an acoustic valve to adjust an opening size of a vent opening in the sound conduit and/or to close the vent opening, wherein the vent opening provides for venting of sound waves into or out of the sound conduit. The seal mechanism may be configured to produce an acoustically sealed portion of the ear canal between the communication device and a user's eardrum. The venting of sound waves from the sound conduit may comprise venting sound waves from the sealed portion of the ear canal through the sound conduit to a location in the ear canal downstream of the communication device.

The acoustic valve may be moveably coupled with the sound conduit. The acoustic valve may comprise a valve opening. The step of using an acoustic valve to adjust the opening size of the vent opening may comprise adjusting alignment of the vent opening and the valve opening to adjust the opening between a closed position where the vent opening and the valve opening are completely misaligned and the acoustic valve closes the vent opening and an open position where the vent opening and the valve opening are completely aligned and transmission of sound waves through the vent opening is unimpeded by the acoustic valve. The step of adjusting the opening size of the vent opening in the sound conduit and/or to close the vent opening may comprise moving the housing with respect to the acoustic valve. The step of moving the housing with respect to the acoustic valve may comprise rotating the housing in the user's ear. The step of moving the housing with respect to the acoustic valve may comprise pushing a button on the housing while the communication device is in the user's ear.

In some embodiments, a method of using an insertable in-ear speaker or hearing device is provided, where the method may be controlled by a process or the like. In the method, audio signals may be converted by a receiver into sound waves and delivered into an ear canal of the wearer by the hearing device, while the hearing device sealing the ear canal to prevent interference of ambient sound with the converted sound waves. In the method, a vent, formed through a sound conduit, acoustically connecting the ear canal and the ambient environment hearing device may be adjusted. For purposes of this disclosure, a conduit, for acoustic transmission, may comprise a volume, or a sequence of volumes and tubes or the like. The adjustment may either allow sound to be vented from the ear canal through the hearing device to an ambient environment and/or to restrict/prevent such transmission of sound. The adjustment may be controlled by an active valve. When the valve is open, ambient sounds may enter the ear canal hearing device so that both sound generated by the hearing device and ambient sound can be heard by the wearer (providing the user with a more natural hearing experience) and/or the occlusion effect may be reduced, as sound generated in the ear canal is transmitted to the ambient environment. When the valve is closed, the wearer may be enabled to listen to the sounds generated by the receiver without interference from ambient sounds. In instances where the hearing device includes signal processing to provide the wearer with improved directionality (e.g. beamforming, where the hearing device obtains input from more than one microphone), the benefit of such signal processing and thus hearing performance may be improved due to the absence of direct sound.

In some embodiments, a hearing device configured for use in a user's ear canal is provided. The hearing device may be capable of providing variable venting through the hearing device. The hearing device may include a receiver that generates sounds that are communicated via a sound conduit to a user's eardrum. The hearing device may be configured to form a seal with an ear canal wall and/or to block the ear canal. In this way, a sealed region of the ear canal can be produced upstream of the hearing device, in particular medial to the hearing device. In this sealed region, an output of the receiver may be isolated from ambient sounds generated outside of the ear. The hearing device may include a part that is disposed outside of the ear canal. For example, the hearing device may comprise a receiver, microphone, antenna and/or the like that are disposed at least partially outside of the ear canal. This external circuitry may communicate with the part of the hearing device inside the ear canal. For example, the external circuitry may use wired/wireless-communication to communicate with the in-ear portion and/or may communicate sounds via an acoustic pathway, such as a sound tube.

In some embodiments, the external portion of the hearing device may be positioned behind the user's ear. In accordance with some embodiments, the sound conduit includes a vent opening that may provide for venting of sound waves through the hearing device. For example, ambient sounds may pass through the vent opening into the sealed region and/or sound waves in the sealed region may pass through the vent opening to a section of the ear canal disposed downstream of the hearing device, in particular distal to the hearing device. This may prevent or minimize the occlusion effect. In embodiments of the present disclosure, an acoustic valve is configured to provide for at least one of adjusting a size of the vent opening, closing the vent opening and/or not interfering with the vent opening, such that the vent opening is completely open. In some embodiments, the acoustic valve is moveably coupled with the sound conduit, such that the acoustic valve and/or the sound conduit is capable of movement with respect to the other. In some embodiments, the acoustic valve comprises a valve opening and adjustment of the vent opening is provided by moving the acoustic valve and/or the sound conduit so that the valve opening and the vent opening are aligned and/or misaligned. In some embodiments, the acoustic valve/sound conduit may be moved while the hearing device is in the ear canal. For example, a user may: rotate the hearing device, move the hearing device in a longitudinal direction along the ear canal, push a button to cause the acoustic valve and/or sound conduit to move with respect to one another and/or the like. Where the hearing device is moved in the ear canal, friction may be used to hold the acoustic valve stationary in the ear canal while the sound conduit is moved.

Venting through the hearing device may also be desirable as it can be used to manage the humidity in the sealed region. Humidity, in the sealed region may result in changed properties of the eardrum and/or the ear canal wall. These changes in property may result in a deteriorated hearing experience for the user of the hearing device. As such, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, a hearing device with variable venting is provided to provide for decreasing the humidity in the sealed region formed by the hearing device. In some embodiments, the hearing device may be adjusted in the user's ear to reduce the humidity. The venting arrangement of some embodiments of the present invention, comprising a short and large volume venting pathway, are configured to provide for reducing the adverse hearing effects of humidity in the ear canal. In some instances, frictional properties of the acoustic valve and/or the sound conduit are selected to provide that the acoustic valve and the sound conduit may move with respect to one another so that the venting of the hearing device may be adjusted while the hearing device is deployed in the user's ear canal. For example, the acoustic valve and/or the sound conduit may be manufactured from and/or include a coating of a low friction material, such as Teflon, a low friction plastic and/or the like.

Communication devices include: earbuds; earphones; in-ear headphones; noise protection systems worn on/in the ear that include a speaker; hearing devices, such as hearing instruments, including behind-the-ear hearing aids, in-the-ear hearing aids etc.; and/or the like. Hearing devices comprise communication devices designed to be inserted at least partially into the ear canal. Hearing devices may be configured to form an acoustic seal with an ear wall and/or block the ear canal so that a portion of the ear canal between the seal and the eardrum is acoustically insulated from ambient sound to some extent, i.e., the seal between the hearing device and the ear canal prevents acoustic signals, such as ambient sound, passing into from a portion of the ear canal downstream of/lateral to the hearing device into the sealed portion of the ear canal. Isolation provided by hearing devices may be desirable because it can prevent interference of ambient sounds with the acoustic output of the hearing device. However, because ambient sound may be blocked from the eardrum, it may prevent a user of the hearing device from directly hearing external sounds, in particular ambient sounds. In addition, sealing/blocking of the ear canal may produce an effect called occlusion. Occlusion can be caused by body-conducted acoustic signals that are radiated into the sealed portion of the ear canal between the hearing device and the eardrum. Acoustic signals produced by talking, chewing and/or the like, which may normally be transmitted to the ambient environment by the vent, can lead to a significant sound level in the sealed ear canal portion. Compared to an open ear canal, the occlusion effect may boost low frequency sound pressure in the ear canal by 20 decibels (dB) or more.

With respect to hearing aids, use of an open/leaky hearing aid, where there is not a seal between the hearing aid and the ear canal, can have disadvantages such as: reduced speech intelligibility in noisy environments, reduced benefit of beamforming, susceptibility to feedback and the like. For all types of hearing devices, an open or leaky hearing device may produce insufficient acoustic output at low frequencies when sound is produced by the hearing device into the ear canal. Based on the above, hearing devices may include a vent that allows for transmission of acoustic signals between the ear canal upstream of the hearing device, in particular comprising a region outside of the ear canal, and the ear canal downstream of the hearing device, in particular comprising a region between the hearing device and the eardrum. The term upstream may also be referred to herein as “medial” and the term downstream may also be referred to herein as “lateral”. The vent may be small to provide a balance between the effects of completely sealing the ear canal and leaving the ear canal open. In some hearing devices, an ear tip may be used to create the seal between the hearing device and the ear canal, wherein the vent may be provided in the ear tip.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, a hearing device is provided with an adjustable vent. The adjustable vent may be controlled by the user of the hearing device and/or processing circuitry to optimize performance of the hearing device in accordance with different situations. The adjustable vent may provide for control of the amount of direct and/or ambient sound entering the ear canal and/or may control frequency response of the hearing device at low frequencies. For hearing aids, the vent may be adjusted to enhance a signal-to-noise ratio by partially closing the vent, in particular when the hearing aid is operated in a situation where ambient sound comprises a speech signal in background noise, such as when the user is conversing with people at a party, for instance in a restaurant. In addition, closing the adjustable vent may be desirable when listening to music with low-frequent signal content, in order to keep the size of the sound reproduction device and the power consumption to a minimum.

For purposes of the present disclosure, a “valve” may comprise a mechanism for at least one of closing, opening, and adjusting the size of an opening. The valve may be actuated manually and/or by a system including an actuator, in particular a motor and/or a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) actuator and/or an electro-dynamic actuator having a coil assembly and a magnetic system, such as a balanced armature (BA) system and/or a pneumatic actuator and/or a hydraulic actuator. The actuator may be assisted by an elastic member, such as a spring or the like. The vent may provide an acoustic pathway and/or provide acoustic transmission, whereby sound waves can pass through the vent. In this way, a venting pathway may be provided. For example, the hearing device may be configured to create a seal with the ear canal wall to produce a sealed portion of the ear canal upstream of the hearing device between the hearing device and a user's eardrum. In such an arrangement, the vent may be configured to provide an acoustic pathway for sound waves, in particular between the sealed portion of the ear canal downstream of the hearing device and the unsealed portion of the ear canal upstream of the hearing device. As such, the vent may provide for transmission of sounds from the ambient environment, in particular outside of the ear and/or outside of an electronic device, through the hearing device to the eardrum and/or transmission of sound waves from the sealed region through the hearing device and out of the ear canal.

The seal between the hearing device and the ear canal may be provided by at least one of an ear tip, a dome, a flexible member, and a section of the hearing device. The seal may be simply provided by the hearing device blocking the ear canal to create the sealed portion/region. The term “upstream” is used to refer to a section of the ear canal located between the hearing device and the ear drum, and the term “downstream” is used to refer to a section of the ear canal between the hearing device and the concha, in particular the ear canal opening. Sealing the ear canal may prevent sounds from an ambient environment from passing down the ear canal to the ear drum. However, sealing the ear canal can also create an occlusion effect in the ear canal, whereby the hearing device user may perceive “hollow” or “booming” echo-like sounds. The occlusion effect can be caused by bone-conducted sound vibrations reverberating in a sealed region of the ear canal, so that speaking, chewing, body movement, heart beat and/or the like may create echoes, reverberations and/or the like in the sealed region. Compared to a completely open ear canal, the occlusion effect can boost low frequency sound pressure in the ear canal, which is usually below 500 Hz, by 20 dB or more.

The sealing of the ear canal by the hearing device may be beneficial for preventing interference by ambient sounds and by preventing a loss of low frequency sounds. However, sealing the ear canal may prevent the user from hearing ambient sounds, such as someone communicating with him, and the occlusion effect produced by the sealing may degrade the user's listening experience. A receiver, such as an in-ear speaker, can be included in electronic devices for providing sound to a user's ear. The receiver may be at least partially inserted into the ear canal. Thus, the receiver may direct sound onto the user's ear drum. A receiver may include acoustic drivers, microphones and/or other electronic devices and may be wired or wireless. In-ear speakers include, but are not limited to, earphones, earbuds, hearing aids, hearing instruments, in-ear headphones, in-ear monitors, personal sound amplifiers and headsets. In some embodiments, a receiver/loudspeaker generates sound waves based on signals that are input to the receiver from an external device through a wired or wireless connection.

In some embodiments, the hearing device comprises a sound conduit through which sound waves from the receiver may be transmitted into the ear canal upstream of the hearing device. The sound conduit may provide a chamber through which the sound waves can be transmitted. In some instances, the sound conduit may be tubular, in particular cylindrical. The sound conduit may comprise an input opening, through which sound waves from the receiver may enter the sound conduit chamber, and an output opening, through which sound waves from the sound conduit chamber may enter the ear canal. The openings may be formed in end-walls of the sound conduit. In some embodiments, the first opening may be formed in a housing. The housing may project inside the sound conduit chamber such that the opening is disposed between end walls of the sound conduit. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the sound conduit comprises at least one vent opening. The vent opening may be formed in a wall of the sound conduit extending between the openings of the sound conduit and/or in at least one of the end walls.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, an acoustic vent may provide for at least one of opening the vent opening, closing the vent opening, and adjusting an amount of opening or closing of the vent opening. The acoustic valve may be moveably coupled to the sound conduit, in particular such that relative motion of the sound conduit and the acoustic valve may provide for adjusting opening of the vent opening. For example, the acoustic valve may comprise a substrate. The substrate may comprise a valve opening. A motion of the sound conduit relative to the acoustic valve and/or a motion of the acoustic valve relative to the sound conduit may change an alignment between the valve opening and the vent opening. In this way, an alignment of the valve opening and the vent opening may be used to adjust an amount of opening of the vent opening between a completely open configuration and a completely closed configuration. The acoustic valve may comprise a substrate that at least partially surrounds the sound conduit, in particular an inner and/or outer surface of the sound conduit. The acoustic valve may thus be configured to undergo translation motion with respect to the sound conduit. In some embodiments, the acoustic valve may comprise a substrate that at least partially surrounds the sound conduit and may be configured to undergo a rotational motion and/or a translational motion relative to the sound conduit.

In some embodiments, a user of the hearing device may adjust a degree of opening of the vent opening by moving the acoustic valve on the ear canal. In some embodiments, a user of the hearing device may adjust a degree of opening of the vent opening by rotating the hearing device while it is in the ear canal, such that the sound conduit may rotate with respect to the acoustic valve. In other embodiments, the user may rotate the acoustic valve while the hearing device is in the user's ear canal. In some embodiments, a user may press a button or the like while the hearing device is in the ear and a mechanical and/or electrical system may cause the sound conduit and the acoustic valve to move relative to one another. For example, in a mechanical system, gears or the like may transmit a force applied to the button to a force applied to the acoustic valve. In this way, a motion of the acoustic valve with respect to the sound conduit may be produced.

