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: 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 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 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 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: Methods and systems are described for transferring programming information to a hearing instrument. Such programming information may include hearing loss compensation parameters and/or other information pertaining to device operation. In one embodiment, each of a pair of hearing instruments prescribed and configured for a particular hearing loss contains the necessary information for operation on either the left or right ear. The data from one hearing instrument may then be transferred to the other hearing instrument by means of wireless communication. In other embodiments, programming information is transferred wirelessly by an external device connected to a database.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for wireless electronics using a MEMS switch fora 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: Methods and systems are described for transferring programming information to a hearing instrument. Such programming information may include hearing loss compensation parameters and/or other information pertaining to device operation. In one embodiment, each of a pair of hearing instruments prescribed and configured for a particular hearing loss contains the necessary information for operation on either the left or right ear. The data from one hearing instrument may then be transferred to the other hearing instrument by means of wireless communication. In other embodiments, programming information is transferred wirelessly by an external device connected to a database.

Abstract: A system for communication between one or more remotely controllable devices and a hearing assistance device includes a gateway device. The hearing assistance device detects voice commands issued by its wearer. The gateway device wirelessly communicates with the hearing assistance device, produces one or more control signals based on the voice commands, and routes the one or more control signals to one or more devices selected from the one or more remotely controllable devices according to the voice command.

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: A system for communication between one or more remotely controllable devices and a hearing assistance device includes a gateway device. The hearing assistance device detects voice commands issued by its wearer. The gateway device wirelessly communicates with the hearing assistance device, produces one or more control signals based on the voice commands, and routes the one or more control signals to one or more devices selected from the one or more remotely controllable devices according to the voice command.

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 hearing assistance device such as a hearing aid includes an antenna system that has an adaptive antenna configuration that can be dynamically optimized for communicating with one or more other devices at different locations. The hearing assistance device determines an approximately optimal antenna configuration and adjusts the antenna configuration to that approximately optimal antenna configuration using one or more switches coupled between the antenna system and a communication circuit of the hearing assistance device.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes an antenna for wireless communication with another device. The antenna includes a primary element connected to the circuit of the hearing aid and one or more secondary elements parasitically coupled to the primary element. This antenna configuration substantially increases radiation efficiency when compared to an antenna with the primary element alone, without substantially increasing the size, power consumption, and complexity of the hearing aid.

Abstract: A system for communication between one or more remotely controllable devices and a hearing assistance device includes a gateway device. The hearing assistance device detects voice commands issued by its wearer. The gateway device wirelessly communicates with the hearing assistance device, produces one or more control signals based on the voice commands, and routes the one or more control signals to one or more devices selected from the one or more remotely controllable devices according to the voice command.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for transferring programming information to a hearing instrument. Such programming information may include hearing loss compensation parameters and/or other information pertaining to device operation. In one embodiment, each of a pair of hearing instruments prescribed and configured for a particular hearing loss contains the necessary information for operation on either the left or right ear. The data from one hearing instrument may then be transferred to the other hearing instrument by means of wireless communication. In other embodiments, programming information is transferred wirelessly by an external device connected to a database.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes an antenna for wireless communication with another device. The antenna includes a primary element connected to the circuit of the hearing aid and one or more secondary elements parasitically coupled to the primary element. This antenna configuration substantially increases radiation efficiency when compared to an antenna with the primary element alone, without substantially increasing the size, power consumption, and complexity of the hearing aid.

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: An antenna for an implantable medical device (IMD) is provided including a monolithic structure derived from a plurality of discrete dielectric layers having an antenna embedded within the plurality of dielectric layers. The antenna includes antenna portions formed within different layers of the monolithic structure with at least one conductive via formed to extend through the dielectric layers in order to provide a conductive pathway between the portions of the antenna formed on different layers, such that an antenna is formed that extends between different vertical layers. The dielectric layers may comprise layers of ceramic material that can be co-fired together with the antenna to form a hermetically sealed monolithic antenna structure. The antenna embedded within the monolithic structure can be arranged to have a substantially spiral, helical, fractal, meandering or planer serpentine spiral shape.

Abstract: A co-fired electrical feedthrough for an implantable medical device (IMD) is provided having a shielded radio frequency (RF) conductive path. The feedthrough includes a monolithic structure derived from one or more layers of dielectric material and a conductive pathway extending through the monolithic structure for communicating RF signals into and from the IMD. An internal shield is formed to extend through at least one of the layers of dielectric material so as to surround the conductive pathway (e.g., in a coaxial relationship) and shield the RF conductive pathway from undesirable signals. This shielding of the RF conductive pathway prevents destructive EMI signals from entering into the IMD through the RF conductive pathway. In some embodiments, a monolithic structure containing embedded impedance matching elements is electrically connected to at least one conductive pathway in the feedthrough to perform impedance matching and/or filtering of the conductive pathway to other circuitry.