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: Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable devices that can be used to control other device and related methods. In a first aspect, an ear-wearable device is included having a control circuit, a wireless communications circuit, a microphone, and a motion sensor. The ear-wearable device is configured to receive an input from a wearer of the ear-wearable device, select a controllable device to be controlled based on factors including at least one of physical proximity between the ear-wearable device and the controllable device and a direction that the head of the wearer is pointing, and issue a control command to the controllable device. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A hearing instrument comprises: a microphone; a housing that defines an opening that leads to the microphone; a button disposed on the housing; and a ring member configured to be disposed within a recess defined in the housing and to define a perimeter around the button, wherein: the ring member defining an acoustic path that has a non-straight segment, the acoustic path has an external port and an internal port, and the internal port is configured to be aligned with the microphone opening of the housing.

Abstract: A hearing instrument comprises a housing having an exterior surface and an interior surface; a rechargeable battery; a first conductor having an external segment tracing a first path on the exterior surface of the housing; and a second conductor having an external segment tracing a second path on the exterior surface of the housing. The first conductor and the second conductor are configured to operate as both an antenna and to conduct electricity from a charger to recharge the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A computing system makes a first preliminary determination that a user of an ear-wearable device is experiencing a potential medical event based on first signals generated by first sensors. The computing system may make a second preliminary determination that the user is experiencing the potential medical event based on a user response captured by the ear-wearable device. The computing system may further determine that the user is experiencing the potential medical event based on both the first preliminary determination and the second preliminary determination. In response to determining that the user is experiencing the potential medical event, the computing system may cause the ear-wearable device to send a wireless communication request to a plurality of companion devices. Furthermore, in response to the wireless communication request being accepted by a companion device, the computing system may send user data via a communication link.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: An antenna system for a wearable device comprises an antenna that includes a plurality of elements. The elements include an antenna element that comprises an electrically conductive material. The antenna also includes one or more feed points configured for operable coupling to a wireless transceiver. Additionally, the antenna includes a set of one or more switch units. For each respective switch unit of the set of switch units: the respective switch unit is connected to one or more elements of the respective switch unit in the plurality of elements, a flow of electrical current to the one or more elements connected to the respective switch unit is dependent on a switch state of the respective switch unit. A radiation characteristic of the antenna is dependent on the switch states of the switch units.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for wireless electronics using a MEMS switch for a hearing assistance device. The present application relates to a hearing assistance device configured to be worn by a wearer. The hearing assistance device includes a housing for electronics of the hearing assistance device, including wireless electronics. The wireless electronics include a plurality of radio frequency (RF) MEMS switches, in various embodiments. A hearing assistance processor is adapted to process signals for the wearer of the hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the hearing assistance device includes an antenna, and a switchable capacitor bank configured for tuning the antenna, the switchable capacitor bank including one or more of the plurality of RF MEMS switches. The plurality of RF MEMS switches include an electrostatically deformed RF MEMS membrane, in an embodiment. Different configurations and approaches are provided.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to audio systems including an ear-worn device and providing for remote audio stream management. In an embodiment, an audio system is included having an ear-worn device. The audio system can be configured to receive a notification regarding availability of a remote audio stream, query a wearer of the ear-worn device regarding the remote audio stream, receive an input from the wearer of the ear-worn device regarding the remote audio stream, selectively receive the remote audio stream, and selectively play the remote audio stream through the electroacoustic transducer. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: An audio transmission antenna array may be used to create multiple wireless audio beams, such as using beamforming and beam-steering. For example, individual control of the amplitude and phase of the radio frequency signals fed to each of the antenna elements within the array may be used to create a desired combined antenna pattern. This subject matter may be used for an audio streamer accessory, which may be used to stream audio wirelessly from a source directly to a hearing device, such as streaming audio from a TV to a viewer's audio streaming device. This may be used to provide improve audio performance in environments where multiple users stream audio from a single audio device, or where one or more users are moving around while using the streaming audio device. This may also be used to reduce or eliminate choppiness of audio that a digital audio source can produce.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for wireless electronics using a MEMS switch for a hearing assistance device. The present application relates to a hearing assistance device configured to be worn by a wearer. The hearing assistance device includes a housing for electronics of the hearing assistance device, including wireless electronics. The wireless electronics include a plurality of radio frequency (RF) MEMS switches, in various embodiments. A hearing assistance processor is adapted to process signals for the wearer of the hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the hearing assistance device includes an antenna, and a switchable capacitor bank configured for tuning the antenna, the switchable capacitor bank including one or more of the plurality of RF MEMS switches. The plurality of RF MEMS switches include an electrostatically deformed RF MEMS membrane, in an embodiment. Different configurations and approaches are provided.

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: Embodiments herein relate to medical device systems including ear-worn devices. In an embodiment, a medical device system includes an ear-worn device including a control circuit, a microphone in electrical communication with the control circuit, an electroacoustic transducer for generating sound in electrical communication with the control circuit, and a power supply circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit. The ear-worn device can be configured to received signals from a separate medical device and generate a notification using the received signals. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable devices configured to administer therapy to individuals who have suffered anoxic or hypoxic neurological injury and/or assess recovery from such injuries and related systems and methods. 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 initiate a therapy for a wearer of the ear-wearable device and monitor signals from the microphone and/or the motion sensor to detect execution of the therapy. In an embodiment, the ear-wearable device is configured to evaluate signals from at least one of the microphone and the motion sensor to assess recovery from an anoxic or hypoxic neurological injury. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to hearing device systems that can utilize proxy devices to convey emergency communications. In an embodiment, the system operates in a first communication mode and a second communication mode. The first communication mode can include the hearing device being paired to a wireless communication enabled device for conveying data to a non-local network as initiated by the hearing device. The second communication mode can include the hearing device accessory being paired to the wireless communication enabled device for conveying data to the non-local network as initiated by the hearing device. The system can enter the second communication mode when the hearing device cannot communicate with the wireless communication enabled device. The hearing device accessory uses a hardware address of the hearing device to communicate with the wireless communication enabled device as if it was paired thereto. Other embodiments are also included herein.

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.