Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable devices. In an embodiment, an ear-wearable device is included having a housing is included having an aperture end; and an ear canal end defining an acoustic outlet; a receiver within the housing; an acoustic tube between the receiver and the acoustic outlet; a foreign material barrier disposed over a portion of the acoustic tube; and a tip portion disposed at the ear canal end, wherein the tip portion is configured to move between a first position and a second position; wherein a movement of the tip portion from the first position to the second position is configured to move foreign material in a direction away from the acoustic tube. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to systems, devices and methods for the treatment of equilibrium disorders and improving gait and balance. In an embodiment, a method of treating an equilibrium disorder is included. The method can include monitoring device wearer movement with a movement sensor, identifying a movement pattern consistent with an equilibrium disorder, estimating characteristics of the equilibrium disorder, and applying stimulation to at least one of the right ear, left ear, or brainstem of the device wearer of an ear-worn device. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: An ear-wearable electronic device comprises a shell and a faceplate connected to the shell. Electronic circuitry and a power source are respectively disposed in the shell. A removal handle includes a proximal end connected to the faceplate. First and second electrical conductors extend along the removal handle and comprise first and second proximal ends coupled to the electronic circuitry. An electrical contact module is disposed at a distal end of the removal handle. The electrical contact module comprises a substrate. A first electrical contact is mounted on, or supported by, the substrate and coupled to a first distal end of the first electrical conductor. A second electrical contact is mounted on, or supported by, the substrate and coupled to a second distal end of the second electrical conductor.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to vibration insulation suspension for in-ear audio components. In an embodiment, an ear-wearable device is included having a shell defining a shell cavity and a shell opening. The ear-wearable device can include a receiver disposed within the shell cavity and an acoustic tube wherein the acoustic tube is configured to connect the receiver to the shell opening such that sounds generated by the receiver exit the ear-wearable device through the shell opening. The acoustic tube has a stem having a first end connected to the receiver and a second end and a flange connected to the second end. The flange is configured to contact the shell opening such that the stem does not contact the shell. The flange includes a deformable material such that vibrations of the receiver result in deformations of at least a portion of the flange. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: An ear-wearable electronic device comprises a shell and a faceplate connected to the shell. Electronic circuitry and a power source are respectively disposed in the shell. A removal handle includes a proximal end connected to the faceplate. First and second electrical conductors extend along the removal handle and comprise first and second proximal ends coupled to the electronic circuitry. An electrical contact module is disposed at a distal end of the removal handle. The electrical contact module comprises a substrate. A first electrical contact is mounted on, or supported by, the substrate and coupled to a first distal end of the first electrical conductor. A second electrical contact is mounted on, or supported by, the substrate and coupled to a second distal end of the second electrical conductor.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hearing instrument includes placing a component support structure at least partially in a bath of a resin liquid, wherein one or more operative components of the hearing instrument are attached to or contained within the component support structure prior to the component support structure being at least partially placed in the bath of the resin liquid. While the component support structure is at least partially in the bath, volumetric 3-dimensional (3D) printing is performed to form a shell of the hearing instrument attached to the component support structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for a hearing assistance device housing for biometric sensing. In various embodiments, a hearing assistance device for a wearer includes a housing customized to conform to a continuous section of an inner portion of an ear of the wearer and to extend radially to one or more edges of a conchal bowl of the ear. The housing is configured to be placed in the inner portion of the ear of the wearer, and a biometric sensor is included on a surface of the housing. According to various embodiments, the housing is configured to maintain contact of the biometric sensor with the inner portion of the ear of the wearer during activity of the wearer, to enhance accuracy of biometric sensing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hearing instrument includes placing a component support structure at least partially in a bath of a resin liquid, wherein one or more operative components of the hearing instrument are attached to or contained within the component support structure prior to the component support structure being at least partially placed in the bath of the resin liquid. While the component support structure is at least partially in the bath, volumetric 3-dimensional (3D) printing is performed to form a shell of the hearing instrument attached to the component support structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for a hearing device antenna. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a wearer to perform wireless communication. The hearing device includes a housing, hearing electronics within the housing, and an inverted F antenna or loop antenna disposed at least partially in the housing and configured for performing 2.4 GHz wireless communication. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the antenna protrudes from an exterior of the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for a hearing device antenna. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a wearer to perform wireless communication. The hearing device includes a housing, hearing electronics within the housing, and an inverted F antenna or loop antenna disposed at least partially in the housing and configured for performing 2.4 GHz wireless communication. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the antenna protrudes from an exterior of the housing.

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: Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for a hearing device antenna. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a wearer to perform wireless communication. The hearing device includes a housing, hearing electronics within the housing, and an inverted F antenna or loop antenna disposed at least partially in the housing and configured for performing 2.4 GHz wireless communication. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the antenna protrudes from an exterior of the housing.

Abstract: An ear-wearable electronic device comprises a shell and a faceplate connected to the shell. Electronic circuitry and a power source are respectively disposed in the shell. A removal handle includes a proximal end connected to the faceplate. First and second electrical conductors extend along the removal handle and comprise first and second proximal ends coupled to the electronic circuitry. An electrical contact module is disposed at a distal end of the removal handle. The electrical contact module comprises a substrate. A first electrical contact is mounted on, or supported by, the substrate and coupled to a first distal end of the first electrical conductor. A second electrical contact is mounted on, or supported by, the substrate and coupled to a second distal end of the second electrical conductor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for a hearing device antenna. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a wearer to perform wireless communication. The hearing device includes a housing, hearing electronics within the housing, and an inverted F antenna or loop antenna disposed at least partially in the housing and configured for performing 2.4 GHz wireless communication. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the antenna protrudes from an exterior of the housing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hearing instrument includes placing a component support structure at least partially in a bath of a resin liquid, wherein one or more operative components of the hearing instrument are attached to or contained within the component support structure prior to the component support structure being at least partially placed in the bath of the resin liquid. While the component support structure is at least partially in the bath, volumetric 3-dimensional (3D) printing is performed to form a shell of the hearing instrument attached to the component support structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for a hearing assistance device housing for biometric sensing. In various embodiments, a hearing assistance device for a wearer includes a housing customized to conform to a continuous section of an inner portion of an ear of the wearer and to extend radially to one or more edges of a conchal bowl of the ear. The housing is configured to be placed in the inner portion of the ear of the wearer, and a biometric sensor is included on a surface of the housing. According to various embodiments, the housing is configured to maintain contact of the biometric sensor with the inner portion of the ear of the wearer during activity of the wearer, to enhance accuracy of biometric sensing.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to systems, devices and methods for the treatment of equilibrium disorders and improving gait and balance. In an embodiment, a method of treating an equilibrium disorder is included. The method can include monitoring device wearer movement with a movement sensor, identifying a movement pattern consistent with an equilibrium disorder, estimating characteristics of the equilibrium disorder, and applying stimulation to at least one of the right ear, left ear, or brainstem of the device wearer of an ear-worn device. Other embodiments are also included herein.

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: 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: Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for a hearing device antenna. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a wearer to perform wireless communication. The hearing device includes a housing, hearing electronics within the housing, and an inverted F antenna or loop antenna disposed at least partially in the housing and configured for performing 2.4 GHz wireless communication. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the antenna protrudes from an exterior of the housing.