Abstract: A hearing instrument may generate vibration, via a vibration unit, in response to determining a notification for a user of the hearing instrument. The hearing instrument may obtain a motion signal from one or more sensors indicative of the vibration generated by the hearing instrument. The hearing instrument determines, based on the motion signal, whether the user has touched the hearing instruments while the vibration unit is generating the vibration. The hearing instrument, responsive to a determination that the user has touched the hearing instrument while the vibration unit is generating vibration, executes a command.

Abstract: An electro-optical physiologic sensor comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) and a light emitter and a photodetector respectively mounted to the PCB. A first sensor element is disposed on the PCB and comprises a first electrode configured to contact tissue of a subject and a first light channel co-located with the first electrode, the first light channel optically coupled to the light emitter and configured to direct light into the subject's tissue. A second sensor element is disposed on the PCB and comprises a second electrode configured to contact the subject's tissue and a second light channel co-located with the second electrode, the second light channel optically coupled to the photodetector and configured to receive light from the tissue of the subject resulting from the light generated by the light emitter.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an electronic device configured to measure temperature from within an ear canal having a first bend, a second bend, and a tympanic membrane. The device comprises an enclosure comprising an in-canal section dimensioned for deployment in the ear canal. The in-canal section comprises a trough extending axially along at least a portion of the in-canal section and arranged to be positioned between the first bend and the tympanic membrane when the in-canal section is fully deployed in the ear canal. A temperature sensor is disposed in the trough. The temperature sensor comprises a flexible circuit board, a distal temperature sensor disposed on the flexible circuit board, and a proximal temperature sensor disposed on the flexible circuit board and situated proximal of, and spaced apart from, the distal temperature sensor in an outer ear direction.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable devices and systems that can detect a risk of infection in a device wearer. In a first aspect, an ear-wearable infection sensor device is included having a control circuit, a microphone, a sensor package, and an electroacoustic transducer, wherein the electroacoustic transducer is in electrical communication with the control circuit. The ear-wearable infection sensor device can be configured to analyze data from the sensor package to determine physiological parameters of a device wearer and evaluate the physiological parameters to detect the risk of an infection. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable systems and devices for detecting heat stress and related methods. In an embodiment, an ear-wearable heat stress risk assessment system is included having a control circuit, a microphone, and a sensor package. The system is configured to process signals of one or more sensors of the sensor package and/or the microphone, detect dehydration symptoms, environmental conditions, and activity levels of a device wearer based on the processed signals, and determine a heat stress risk level based on detected dehydration symptoms, environmental conditions, and activity levels of the device wearer. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an electronic device configured to measure temperature from within an ear canal having a first bend, a second bend, and a tympanic membrane. The device comprises an enclosure comprising an in-canal section dimensioned for deployment in the ear canal. The in-canal section comprises a trough extending axially along at least a portion of the in-canal section and arranged to be positioned between the first bend and the tympanic membrane when the in-canal section is fully deployed in the ear canal. A temperature sensor is disposed in the trough. The temperature sensor comprises a flexible circuit board, a distal temperature sensor disposed on the flexible circuit board, and a proximal temperature sensor disposed on the flexible circuit board and situated proximal of, and spaced apart from, the distal temperature sensor in an outer ear direction.

Abstract: An electro-optical physiologic sensor comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) and a light emitter and a photodetector respectively mounted to the PCB. A first sensor element is disposed on the PCB and comprises a first electrode configured to contact tissue of a subject and a first light channel co-located with the first electrode, the first light channel optically coupled to the light emitter and configured to direct light into the subject's tissue. A second sensor element is disposed on the PCB and comprises a second electrode configured to contact the subject's tissue and a second light channel co-located with the second electrode, the second light channel optically coupled to the photodetector and configured to receive light from the tissue of the subject resulting from the light generated by the light emitter.

Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housing configured for deployment in, on or about an ear of a wearer and a power source situated in the housing. A sensor is situated in or on the housing and coupled to the power source. The sensor is configured to generate a sensor signal representative of motion of the wearer's head and relative motion between the sensor and skin of the wearer's ear resulting from the wearer's head motion. A controller is situated in the housing and coupled to the power source and the sensor. The controller is configured to assess a fit of the device using the sensor signal.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable devices and systems that can detect a risk of infection in a device wearer. In a first aspect, an ear-wearable infection sensor device is included having a control circuit, a microphone, a sensor package, and an electroacoustic transducer, wherein the electroacoustic transducer is in electrical communication with the control circuit. The ear-wearable infection sensor device can be configured to analyze data from the sensor package to determine physiological parameters of a device wearer and evaluate the physiological parameters to detect the risk of an infection. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housing configured to fit at least partially in an ear of a wearer, a power source situated in the housing, and a temperature sensor arrangement situated in or on the housing and coupled to the power source. The temperature sensor arrangement is configured to generate sensor signals in response to heat generated in the wearer's ear and a controller, situated in the housing and coupled to the power source and the temperature sensor arrangement, is configured to assess a fit of the device using the sensor signals.

Abstract: A receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing device comprises a housing configured for deployment behind an ear of a user of the hearing device. A power source, audio components, a communication device, and a controller are respectively disposed in the housing. A cable assembly comprises a cable, a receiver disposed at a distal end of the cable, and a connector disposed at a proximal end of the cable and configured to attach to the housing. An optical sensor is disposed in the connector and configured to generate a proximity signal based on proximity of the optical sensor to skin at or near the user's ear. The controller is configured to operate the hearing device in a nominal power mode in response to the proximity signal exceeding a threshold and to operate the hearing device in a low power mode in response to the proximity signal falling below the threshold.

Abstract: A hearing instrument may generate vibration, via a vibration unit, in response to determining a notification for a user of the hearing instrument. The hearing instrument may obtain a motion signal from one or more sensors indicative of the vibration generated by the hearing instrument. The hearing instrument determines, based on the motion signal, whether the user has touched the hearing instruments while the vibration unit is generating the vibration. The hearing instrument, responsive to a determination that the user has touched the hearing instrument while the vibration unit is generating vibration, executes a command.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable devices that can be used to provide vibration stimulation to device wearers to reduce fall risk. In an embodiment, an ear-wearable device is included having a control circuit, a microphone, and a sensor package. The sensor package can include a touch sensor. The ear-wearable device can further include a vibration generator. The ear-wearable device is configured to evaluate signals from the touch sensor to detect device touching and generate vibrations using the vibration generator when device touching is detected. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A system may have a rechargeable hearing instrument with a power source, an ultraviolet (UV) sensor configured to convert received UV light into electrical power and charging circuitry coupled to the UV sensor and to the power source. The charging circuitry may use the electrical power to charge the power source. A charger may have a charging cavity configured to receive the rechargeable hearing instrument. A power source within the charger powers a UV light source located within the charger configured to provide UV light to the UV sensor of the rechargeable hearing instrument when the rechargeable hearing instrument is placed within the charging cavity.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable systems and devices for detecting dehydration and related methods. In an embodiment, an ear-wearable dehydration monitoring system is included having a control circuit, a microphone, a power supply, and a sensor package, wherein the sensor package is in electrical communication with the control circuit. The ear-wearable dehydration monitoring system is configured to process signals of one or more sensors of the sensor package to detect clinical symptoms of dehydration. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable devices. In an embodiment, a system is included having an ear-wearable device having a speaker, a microphone, a first processor, a first non-transitory computer memory, and a first wireless communication device. The system can include a remote-control module having remote-control processor, a remote-control wireless communication device, a pressure switch, a inertial measurement unit (IMU), and a remote-control memory. The remote-control memory stores computer instructions for registering a start position of the IMU at an activation time, detecting a first movement of the IMU, and transmitting a first wireless signal related to the first movement to the first wireless communication device. The first memory stores computer instructions for receiving the first wireless signal at the first wireless communication device, and based on the first wireless signal, changing a first setting of the ear-wearable device. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housing configured to fit at least partially in an ear of a wearer, a power source situated in the housing, and a temperature sensor arrangement situated in or on the housing and coupled to the power source. The temperature sensor arrangement is configured to generate sensor signals in response to heat generated in the wearer's ear and a controller, situated in the housing and coupled to the power source and the temperature sensor arrangement, is configured to assess a fit of the device using the sensor signals.

Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housing configured for deployment in, on or about an ear of a wearer and a power source situated in the housing. A sensor is situated in or on the housing and coupled to the power source. The sensor is configured to generate a sensor signal representative of motion of the wearer’s head and relative motion between the sensor and skin of the wearer’s ear resulting from the wearer’s head motion. A controller is situated in the housing and coupled to the power source and the sensor. The controller is configured to assess a fit of the device using the sensor signal.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable devices configured to detect patterns indicative of an occurrence, prodrome or sequelae of an anoxic or hypoxic neurological injury. In an embodiment, an ear-wearable device is included. The ear-wearable device can be configured to monitor signals from a microphone and/or a motion sensor to detect a pattern or patterns indicative of an occurrence of an anoxic or hypoxic neurological injury. In some embodiments, a method of monitoring an ear-wearable device wearer for an occurrence of an anoxic or hypoxic neurological injury is included. The method can include gathering signals from one or more of a microphone, a motion sensor, or another sensor of an ear-wearable device and monitoring the signals to detect a pattern or patterns indicative of an occurrence of an anoxic or hypoxic neurological injury. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable systems and devices for detecting heat stress and related methods. In an embodiment, an ear-wearable heat stress risk assessment system is included having a control circuit, a microphone, and a sensor package. The system is configured to process signals of one or more sensors of the sensor package and/or the microphone, detect dehydration symptoms, environmental conditions, and activity levels of a device wearer based on the processed signals, and determine a heat stress risk level based on detected dehydration symptoms, environmental conditions, and activity levels of the device wearer. Other embodiments are also included herein.