Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable devices that can be used for detecting, monitoring, and/or preventing head injuries. In an embodiment, an ear-wearable device is included having a control circuit, a microphone, a motion sensor, and a power supply circuit, wherein the ear-wearable device is configured to monitor signals from the motion sensor to detect an occurrence of head movement consistent with possible head trauma. In an embodiment, a method of tracking head trauma with an ear-wearable device is included. The method can include evaluating signals from a motion sensor that is part of the ear-wearable device, calculating at least one of peak rotational or linear acceleration and/or peak rotational velocity, and comparing calculated peak rotational or linear acceleration and/or peak rotational velocity against one or more threshold values for head trauma. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an acoustic tube and a hearing device system that includes an acoustic tube are disclosed. The acoustic tube includes a body, a lumen disposed within the body that extends along a lumen axis between a first end and a second end of the body, and a magnetic coupler disposed adjacent to the first end and adapted to connect the acoustic tube to a housing of a hearing device. The acoustic tube further includes an outlet disposed adjacent to the first end and acoustically connected to the lumen, where the outlet is adapted to be acoustically connected to a microphone of the hearing device; and an inlet disposed adjacent to the second end and acoustically connected to the lumen. The acoustic tube is adapted to direct acoustic energy received by the inlet through the lumen and the outlet to the microphone of the hearing device.

Abstract: Techniques to detect a non-alert state of a user may include receiving sensor data from an ear-worn electronic device worn by a user, automatically determining whether to initiate an alertness mode of the ear-worn electronic device based on the sensor data, and determining an alertness state of the user in response to determining to initiate the alertness mode.

Abstract: A hearing aid design is described that compartmentalizes hearing aid components for easier use and better operation. In one embodiment, the processing circuitry and transducers are disposed in housing designed to placed in the ear canal so as to be isolated from antennas and sources of noise. In one embodiment, the battery is moved out of the canal in a behind-the-ear housing so that the remaining components in the ear canal are smaller so as to improve fit rate.

Abstract: Techniques to detect a non-alert state of a user may include receiving sensor data from an ear-worn electronic device disposed at least partially in the ear of a user, determining an alertness state of the user based on the sensor data, and providing alert data in response to the alertness state comprising a non-alert state to a user stimulation interface of the ear-worn electronic device or to an external device.

Abstract: Techniques to detect a non-alert state of a user may include receiving sensor data from an ear-worn electronic device worn by a user, automatically determining whether to initiate an alertness mode of the ear-worn electronic device based on the sensor data, and determining an alertness state of the user in response to determining to initiate the alertness mode.

Abstract: A hearing assistance device is described that includes: a behind-ear portion including a rechargeable energy source and a processor. The hearing assistance device further includes an in-ear portion including a processor, a microphone, and a speaker. The hearing assistant device further includes a tether configured to transmit electrical energy from the rechargeable energy source to the in-ear portion and communicatively couple the processor of the behind-ear portion with the processor of the in-ear portion. processor of the behind-ear portion and the processor of the in-ear portion communicate via the tether using a first communication protocol and the processor of the behind-ear portion and a processor of an external computing device communicate outside the tether using a second communication protocol that is different than or same as the first communication protocol.

Abstract: A portable case for storing hearing assistance devices is described that includes at least one retention structure configured to retain at least part of a hearing assistance device, one or more communication units configured to exchange information between the portable case and one or more external devices, and at least one processor. The processor is configured to: detect when the at least one retention structure shares an electrical connection with the at least part of the hearing assistance device that is retained by the at least one retention structure; and responsive to receiving data, from the hearing assistance device, via the electrical connection, while the at least part of the hearing assistance device is retained by the at least one retention structure, cause the one or more communication units to communicate with exchange the information data between the portable case and the one or more external devices.

Abstract: A portable case for storing and charging hearing assistance devices is described. The portable case includes at least one retention structure configured to retain at least part of a hearing assistance device, an energy storage device, a charging circuitry electrically coupled to the energy storage device. The at least one processor is configured to detect when the at least one retention structure retains the at least part of the hearing assistance device, and responsive to detecting the at least one retention structure retaining the at least part of the hearing assistance device, cause the charging circuitry to charge, via an electrical connection shared by the at least part of the hearing assistance device and the charging circuitry, a power source of the hearing assistance device.

Abstract: A hearing assistance system is described that includes a hearable device and a portable case. The hearable device includes an in-ear portion coupled via a tether to a behind-ear portion. The portable case is configured to store and charge at least the behind-ear portion of the hearable device, and includes a retention structure configured to retain the behind-ear portion. At least one processor within the portable case is communicatively coupled with at least one processor of the behind-ear portion.

Abstract: A hearing assistance device is described that includes: a behind-ear portion including a rechargeable energy source and a processor. The hearing assistance device further includes an in-ear portion including a processor, a microphone, and a speaker. The hearing assistant device further includes a tether configured to transmit electrical energy from the rechargeable energy source to the in-ear portion and communicatively couple the processor of the behind-ear portion with the processor of the in-ear portion. processor of the behind-ear portion and the processor of the in-ear portion communicate via the tether using a first communication protocol and the processor of the behind-ear portion and a processor of an external computing device communicate outside the tether using a second communication protocol that is different than or same as the first communication protocol.

Abstract: A portable case for storing hearing assistance devices is described that includes at least one retention structure configured to retain at least part of a hearing assistance device, one or more communication units configured to exchange information between the portable case and one or more external devices, and at least one processor. The processor is configured to: detect when the at least one retention structure shares an electrical connection with the at least part of the hearing assistance device that is retained by the at least one retention structure; and responsive to receiving data, from the hearing assistance device, via the electrical connection, while the at least part of the hearing assistance device is retained by the at least one retention structure, cause the one or more communication units to communicate with exchange the information data between the portable case and the one or more external devices.

Abstract: A portable case for storing and charging hearing assistance devices is described. The portable case includes at least one retention structure configured to retain at least part of a hearing assistance device, an energy storage device, a charging circuitry electrically coupled to the energy storage device. The at least one processor is configured to detect when the at least one retention structure retains the at least part of the hearing assistance device, and responsive to detecting the at least one retention structure retaining the at least part of the hearing assistance device, cause the charging circuitry to charge, via an electrical connection shared by the at least part of the hearing assistance device and the charging circuitry, a power source of the hearing assistance device.

Abstract: A hearing aid design is described that compartmentalizes hearing aid components for easier use and better operation. In one embodiment, the processing circuitry and transducers are disposed in housing designed to placed in the ear canal so as to be isolated from antennas and sources of noise. In one embodiment, the battery is moved out of the canal in a behind-the-ear housing so that the remaining components in the ear canal are smaller so as to improve fit rate.

Abstract: A system for transceiving radio frequency signals is provided. The system includes a multiplexing apparatus at a base of a tower and communicatively coupled to a cable, and a low noise amplifier at the base of the tower. The multiplexing apparatus includes a transmitter path, a portion of a receiver path, and a transceiver path portion. The low noise amplifier is operable to amplify signals in a first spectral region and is communicatively coupled to the multiplexing apparatus. The multiplexing apparatus is configured to pass signals in the first spectral region between the cable and a first-band base transceiver station via the low noise amplifier. The multiplexing apparatus is further configured to pass signals in a second spectral region between the cable and at least one second-band base transceiver station.

Abstract: A system for transceiving radio frequency signals is provided. The system includes a multiplexing apparatus at a base of a tower and communicatively coupled to a cable, and a low noise amplifier at the base of the tower. The multiplexing apparatus includes a transmitter path, a portion of a receiver path, and a transceiver path portion. The low noise amplifier is operable to amplify signals in a first spectral region and is communicatively coupled to the multiplexing apparatus. The multiplexing apparatus is configured to pass signals in the first spectral region between the cable and a first-band base transceiver station via the low noise amplifier. The multiplexing apparatus is further configured to pass signals in a second spectral region between the cable and at least one second-band base transceiver station.

Abstract: A multiplexing apparatus comprising at least one band pass filter, a receiver filter, and a transmitter filter is disclosed. The receiver filter, the transmitter filter and each band pass filter are communicatively coupled to a cable so that the receiver filter is configured to pass signals in a first spectral region from the cable to a first-band base transceiver station, the transmitter filter is configured to pass signals in the first spectral region from the first-band base transceiver station to the cable, and each band pass filter is configured to filter and bi-directionally pass signals in a second spectral region between the cable and at least one other base transceiver station.

Abstract: A multiplexing apparatus comprising at least one band pass filter, a receiver filter, and a transmitter filter is disclosed. The receiver filter, the transmitter filter and each band pass filter are communicatively coupled to a cable so that the receiver filter is configured to pass signals in a first spectral region from the cable to a first-band base transceiver station, the transmitter filter is configured to pass signals in the first spectral region from the first-band base transceiver station to the cable, and each band pass filter is configured to filter and bi-directionally pass signals in a second spectral region between the cable and at least one other base transceiver station.