Transducer devices and methods for hearing

Abstract

A device to transmit an audio signal to a user may comprise a mass, a piezoelectric transducer, and a support to support the mass and the piezoelectric transducer with the eardrum. The piezoelectric transducer can be configured to drive the support and the eardrum with a first force and the mass with a second force opposite the first force. The device may comprise circuitry configured to receive wireless power and wireless transmission of an audio signal, and the circuitry can be supported with the eardrum to drive the transducer in response to the audio signal, such that vibration between the circuitry and the transducer can be decreased. The transducer can be positioned away from the umbo of the ear to drive the eardrum, for example on the lateral process of the malleus.

1 .- 65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . A method of transmitting an audio signal to a user, the user having an ear comprising an eardrum, the method comprising:
 supporting a mass and a piezoelectric transducer with a support on the eardrum of the user;   driving the support and the eardrum with a first force and the mass with a second force, the second force opposite the first force.   
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66  wherein the ear comprises a mechanical impedance and wherein the mass, the piezoelectric transducer and the support comprise a combined mechanical impedance and wherein the combined mechanical impedance matches the mechanical impedance of the eardrum for at least one audible frequency within a range from about 1 kHz to about 6 KHz. 
     
     
         68 . A method of transmitting an audio signal to a user, the user having an ear comprising an eardrum, the method comprising:
 supporting circuitry and a transducer coupled to the circuitry with the eardrum; and   transmitting the audio signal with a wireless signal to the circuitry to drive the transducer in response to the audio signal.   
     
     
         69 . A method of transmitting an audio signal to a user, the user having an ear comprising an eardrum having a mechanical impedance, the method comprising:
 supporting a transducer and a support coupled to the eardrum with the eardrum, wherein a combined mass of the support and the transducer supported thereon matches the mechanical impedance of the eardrum for at least one audible frequency between about 0.8 kHz and about 10 kHz.   
     
     
         70 . A method of transmitting an audio signal to a user, the user having an ear comprising an eardrum and a malleus connected to the ear drum at an umbo, the method comprising:
 supporting a transducer with a support positioned on the eardrum;   vibrating the support and the eardrum with the transducer positioned away from the umbo.   
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70  wherein a first movement of the transducer is decreased relative to a second movement of the umbo when the eardrum is vibrated and wherein the second movement of the umbo is amplified relative to the first movement of the transducer. 
     
     
         72 . A method of transmitting an audio signal to a user, the user having an ear comprising an eardrum and a malleus connected to the eardrum at an umbo, the method comprising:
 supporting a first transducer and a second transducer with a support positioned on the eardrum; and   driving the first transducer and the second transducer in response to the audio signal to the twist the malleus such that the malleus rotates about an elongate longitudinal axis of the malleus.