Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a microphone, a receiver, hearing aid electronics coupled to the microphone and the receiver, and conductive traces overlaying an insulator, the conductive traces configured to interconnect the hearing aid electronics and to follow non-planar contours of the insulator. Examples are provided wherein the insulator includes a hearing aid housing.

Abstract: A hearing aid is described which incorporates an antenna integrated into the housing that is configured to radiate with linear polarization such that the electric field is perpendicular to the head of a wearer. The described technique results in lower propagation losses from ear to ear and an improvement in ear-to-ear communications using a far-field link (e.g., in the 2.4 GHz band).

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for authentication and encryption key exchange with an ALD for hearing device applications. A method includes receiving an acoustic input at a microphone of a hearing device, and receiving a wireless signal over a wireless link from an assistive listening device (ALD) at an antenna of the hearing device, the wireless signal including digital audio information. The acoustic input is compared to the digital audio information using a processor of the hearing device. Upon determining that the acoustic input and the digital audio information are correlated at a threshold level, the processor is used to create and distribute an encryption key to the ALD to secure the wireless link. The ALD may include a processor for correlating the input and the information, and for creating and distributing the encryption key, in some embodiments.

Abstract: A hearing device, such as a hearing aid, includes an antenna for wireless communication. The antenna is housed in the hearing aid with an orientation determined to approximately minimize change in performance of the wireless communication when the hearing aid goes onto a wearer's head from free space. In various embodiments, the orientation of the antenna can be optimized by considering various factors including head loading and performance of wireless communication with various other devices.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for neural network-driven frequency translation for hearing assistance devices. Various embodiments include a method of signal processing an input signal in a hearing assistance device, the hearing assistance device including a receiver and a microphone. The method includes performing neural network processing to train a processor to identify acoustic features in a plurality of audio signals and predict target outputs for the plurality of audio signals, and using the trained processor to control frequency translation of the input signal.

Abstract: A hearing device adapted to be worn by a wearer comprises a shell configured for placement on an exterior surface of an ear of the wearer. The shell comprises a first end, a second end, a bottom, a top, and opposing sides, wherein the bottom, top, and opposing sides extend between the first and second ends. Circuitry is provided within the shell comprising at least a microphone, signal processing circuitry, radio circuitry, and a power source. A folded antenna is coupled to the radio circuitry and extends longitudinally along one of the bottom and the top and along the opposing sides between the first and second ends. The folded antenna encompasses at least some of the circuitry and forms an elongated gap between the opposing sides. The elongated gap faces the other of the bottom and the top.

Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housing configured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer, electronic circuitry disposed in or supported by the housing, a controller disposed in the housing and coupled to the electronic circuitry, and a rechargeable power source and charging circuitry respectively disposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to the controller and comprises first and second charge contacts situated at a wall of the housing. A user-actuatable control is operatively coupled to the controller and comprises a touch sensor coupled to the first and second charge contacts. The touch sensor comprises a threshold detector configured to distinguish between skin contact with the first and second charge contacts and contact between a conductive material more conductive than skin and the first and second charge contacts.

Abstract: A method is a described for constructing a hearing aid shell that comprises a combination of hard and soft materials. In one embodiment, 3D printing is combined with conventional mold/casting methods so that a first shell portion made of a hard material and a mold for a second shell portion are 3D printed. The mold is then filled with a soft material which is allowed to set to form the second shell portion, and the first and second shell portions are adhesively attached.

Abstract: Each accessory device in a set of accessory devices may establish a respective communication link between the accessory device and an ear-wearable device. A particular accessory device in the set of accessory devices may receive data via the communication link between the particular accessory device and the ear-wearable device. The data comprise information generated based on sensor signals from sensors that monitor a user of the ear-wearable device. The accessory devices perform a health monitoring activity based on the data.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to an improved connection assembly for hearing assistance devices. The improved connection assembly provides a connection system that is reliable, straightforward to manufacture, and easy to use. The present connection assembly provides a rapid replacement option for the cable and/or the receiver or other electronics connected to the cable. The present subject matter provides for a connection assembly that can be extended to provide connections for a variety of applications which are not limited to a speaker (receiver) in the ear. Sensors and new configurations of component placement are supported using the present assembly, including, but not limited to telecoils, and GMR or TMR sensors. Various electromagnetic interference issues are addressed. In some examples a shielded set of wires are included. In some examples a twisted pair of wires is included. Various combinations of wires for different applications are supported with the present connector system.

Abstract: The present application provides method and apparatus for a binaural hearing assistance system using a monaural audio signal input. The system, in various examples, provides adjustable delay/phase adjustment and sound level adjustment. Different embodiments are provided for receiving the monaural signal and distributing it to a plurality of hearing assistance devices. Different relaying modes are provided. Special functions are supported, such as telecoil functions. The system also has examples that account for a head-related transfer function in providing advanced sound processing for the wearer. Other examples are provided that are described in the detailed description.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to an ear-worn electronic device configured to be worn by a wearer. The device comprises an enclosure configured to be supported by or in an ear of the wearer. Electronic circuitry is disposed in the enclosure and comprises a wireless transceiver. An antenna is situated in or on the enclosure and coupled to the wireless transceiver. The antenna comprises a first antenna element, a second antenna element, and a strap comprising a reactive component connected to the first and second antenna elements.

Abstract: A hearing device adapted for use by a wearer comprises an audio streaming circuit configured to receive electromagnetic audio streaming via a first communication link. A configuration circuit is configured to receive configuration parameters via a second communication link different from the first communication link for configuring the hearing device to receive the electromagnetic audio streaming. Control circuitry of the hearing device configures the hearing device to enable reception of the electromagnetic audio streaming in accordance with the received configuration parameters.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an ear-worn electronic device configured to be worn by a wearer. The device comprises an enclosure configured to be supported at, by, in or on the wearer's ear. A processor is disposed in the enclosure. A speaker or a receiver is coupled to the processor. A radio frequency transceiver is disposed in the enclosure and coupled to the processor. An antenna is disposed in or on the enclosure. A magnetically coupled feed arrangement comprises a separable transformer. The separable transformer comprises a first coil coupled to the antenna and a second coil coupled to the transceiver, wherein the second coil is physically and electrically separated from the first coil. The feed arrangement is configured to feed the antenna via mutual inductance between the first and second coils.

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 to provide sound to the ear of a user, the device comprising a housing, hearing assistance electronics enclosed in the housing, an acoustic transducer adapted to be worn in the ear, a cable assembly adapted to connect the acoustic transducer to the hearing assistance electronics, a wireless communications receiver connected to the hearing assistance electronics, and an antenna comprising one or more conductors forming at least a portion of the cable assembly.

Abstract: In one example, a method includes determining, by one or more processors of a hearing aid programmer, values for one or more properties of a first hearing aid; obtaining, by the one or more processors, based on feedback cancelation configurations of a plurality of other hearing aids having the same values for the one or more properties as the first hearing aid, a predicted initial feedback cancelation configuration for the first hearing aid; and programming, by the one or more processors, the first hearing aid based on the predicted initial feedback cancelation configuration.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides a hearing device with selective adjustment of processor settings based on various characteristics of an input sound, in response to adjustment of output sound volume by a user. This addresses problems of undesirable sound effects resulting from applying same changes to processor settings to input sounds of all levels, frequencies, and classes.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a predictive fall event management system and a method of using such system are disclosed. The system includes a body-worn device and a controller operatively connected to the body-worn device. The controller is adapted to receive physiological data representative of a physiological characteristic of a wearer of the body-worn device over a monitoring time period; receive contextual data representative of context information of the wearer over the monitoring time period; and determine one or more future physiological states or contextual states based at least in part on one or more of the physiological data and the contextual data. The controller is further adapted to determine, for a future time, whether a fall condition is satisfied based upon the one or more future physiological states or contextual states and generate a fall prevention output responsive to satisfaction of the fall condition.