Abstract: A versatile communications (comms) apparatus to provide a means to measure the audio (earphone) output of an electronic device (e.g. a music player in a smartphone), and/or to provide a means for wireless communications between a first electronic device (e.g. a smartphone) and a second electronic device (e.g. a hearing aid, pacemaker, etc). In some embodiments, the comms apparatus does not need power and in other embodiments, its power may be harvested from the first electronic device, or drawn from a battery that may be recharged by harvesting means or charged directly. The first electronic device typically includes an audio (earphone) output, a microphone input (with a voltage bias), a long-range communications transceiver (e.g. GSM), and where pertinent, a short-range transceiver (e.g. Bluetooth) and is internet enabled.

Abstract: A device to measure or to estimate the acoustical output of the loudspeaker of a earphone, earplug, headphone or ear muff, and to measure the ambient environmental sounds where appropriate. The loudspeaker is connected to an electronic audio device. The acoustical output of the loudspeaker may be measured by means of a microphone placed in close proximity to the loudspeaker; or estimated by means of measuring the output of the audio amplifier (in the electronic audio device) and using the output/input transfer function that relates the acoustical output of the loudspeaker to the output of the audio amplifier; or estimated by means of the output the digital signal processor (in the electronic audio device) and using the output/input transfer function that relates the acoustical output of the loudspeaker to the output of the digital signal processor.

Abstract: A versatile communications (comms) apparatus to provide a means to measure the audio (earphone) output of an electronic device (e.g. a music player in a smartphone), and/or to provide a means for wireless communications between a first electronic device (e.g. a smartphone) and a second electronic device (e.g. a hearing aid, pacemaker, etc). In some embodiments, the comms apparatus does not need power and in other embodiments, its power may be harvested from the first electronic device, or drawn from a battery that may be recharged by harvesting means or charged directly. The first electronic device typically includes an audio (earphone) output, a microphone input (with a voltage bias), a long-range communications transceiver (e.g. GSM), and where pertinent, a short-range transceiver (e.g. Bluetooth) and is internet enabled.

Abstract: A device to measure or to estimate the acoustical output of the loudspeaker of a earphone, earplug, headphone or ear muff, and to measure the ambient environmental sounds where appropriate. The loudspeaker is connected to an electronic audio device. The acoustical output of the loudspeaker may be measured by means of a microphone placed in close proximity to the loudspeaker; or estimated by means of measuring the output of the audio amplifier (in the electronic audio device) and using the output/input transfer function that relates the acoustical output of the loudspeaker to the output of the audio amplifier; or estimated by means of the output the digital signal processor (in the electronic audio device) and using the output/input transfer function that relates the acoustical output of the loudspeaker to the output of the digital signal processor.