Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to provide improved control of hearing assistance devices and hearing assistance applications. The present apparatus and method can be deployed on a hearing aid, a device in communication with the hearing aid, or on both. In one embodiment a programmable control, including, but not limited to a button or switch or sensor or microphone is adapted to provide control of the function or settings of the hearing aid. In one embodiment, a programmable control for a device including, but not limited to a button or switch or sensor or microphone is adapted to provide wireless control of the function or settings of the hearing aid. In various embodiments, a programmable control for the hearing aid and a programmable control of the device are used to provide wireless control of the function or settings of the hearing aid.

Abstract: Disclosed in some examples is a method of authentication, the method comprising monitoring for the presence of a hearing instrument; responsive to detecting the hearing instrument: establishing a short-range wireless communication session with the hearing instrument; determining an identity of the hearing instrument wearer; and responsive to determining the identity of the wearer, setting a value indicating that the hearing instrument wearer is authenticated with and within the wireless range of the presence device.

Abstract: Disclosed in some examples are systems, methods, and machine readable media which allows for hearing instruments to be in a piconet with each other while being connectable as a slave to another device such as a smart phone when it comes within range. In some examples to accomplish this, one or both of the connected hearing aids may send connectable advertisements while connected with each other in the piconet by time multiplexing the advertisements between connection events.

Abstract: A system embodiment includes a first device and a second device configured to communicate over a selected wireless communication channel selected from a band of channels or over a selected set of channels used in an adaptive frequency hopping scheme. The first device is configured to transmit a probe signal that has a plurality of frequencies contained within the band of channels, and the second device is configured to determine a signal strength of the probe signal for each of a plurality of potential communication channels within the band of channels. The first and second devices configured to switch to another wireless communication channel based at least in part on the signal strength of the probe signal for each of a plurality of potential wireless communication channels.

Abstract: An embodiment of a hearing assistance device comprises a housing, a power source, a radio circuit, an antenna and a transmission line. The radio circuit is within the housing and electrically connected to the power source. The antenna has an aperture, and the radio circuit is at least substantially within the aperture. The transmission line electrically connects to the antenna to the radio circuit. Various antenna embodiments include a flex circuit antenna.

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 embodiment of a hearing assistance device comprises an enclosure that includes a faceplate and a shell attached to the faceplate, a power source, a flex antenna, a transmission line connected to the flex antenna, and radio circuit connected to the transmission line and electrically connected to the power source. The flex antenna has a shape of at least a substantially complete loop around the power source, and maintains separation from the power source.

Abstract: A hearing assistance system provides for wireless communication between hearing assistance devices that are in a Bluetooth connection with a host device. In various embodiments, during a Bluetooth connection interval, one or more time slots are used for communication between the host device and one or more of the hearing assistance devices, while one or more additional time slots are reserved for communication between the hearing assistance devices.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to provide improved control of hearing assistance devices and hearing assistance applications. The present apparatus and method can be deployed on a hearing aid, a device in communication with the hearing aid, or on both. In one embodiment a programmable control, including, but not limited to a button or switch or sensor or microphone is adapted to provide control of the function or settings of the hearing aid. In one embodiment, a programmable control for a device including, but not limited to a button or switch or sensor or microphone is adapted to provide wireless control of the function or settings of the hearing aid. In various embodiments, a programmable control for the hearing aid and a programmable control of the device are used to provide wireless control of the function or settings of the hearing aid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, is an apparatus for connection to a hearing assistance device having a DAI compatible interface compatible with direct audio input (DAI) signals. According to an embodiment, the apparatus includes a connector to connect to the DAI-compatible interface. The connector includes audio and ground connections compatible with the DAI-compatible interface. The connector further includes a power connection adapted to provide power to the hearing assistance device. The apparatus also includes a power source electrically connected to the connector. The power source is adapted to charge one or more energy storing devices, such as batteries, within the hearing assistance device, according to various embodiments. In an embodiment, the power source is adapted to supplement power provided to the hearing assistance device by the one or more energy storing devices within the device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for managing power consumption in a wireless network. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method for wireless communications of isochronous data. A transmission of isochronous data is received using an electronic device having a battery. The method determines how many redundant transmissions can be received by the device within a predetermined time frame while limiting discharge of the battery, and adjusts reception of the redundant transmissions based on the determination. In various embodiments, a reduction in received redundant transmissions preserves energy and prevents complete discharge of the battery.

Abstract: An audio system such as a hearing assistance system includes an audio source device wirelessly communicating with one or more audio sink (destination) devices. The audio source and sink devices each include a sample clock for processing audio signal that is digitized and wirelessly transmitted. The sample clock of each of the one or more audio sink devices is synchronized to the sample clock of the audio source device to prevent audio sample over-runs or under-runs causing undesirable audio artifacts. In one embodiment, because audio packets may be lost in transmission, packet loss concealment techniques are used to improve audio reproduction. In one embodiment, link layer information is used for audio phase lock loop jitter reduction in the audio system.

Abstract: Various system embodiments comprise a plurality of devices adapted to wirelessly communicate with each other. The plurality of devices includes a battery-operated hearing assistance device adapted to be worn by a person. The hearing aid device includes a signal processing circuitry connected to a microphone and a receiver. At least one of the plurality of devices includes a link quality management device adapted to assess a link quality for a first wireless communication channel, provide channel metrics indicative of the assessed quality for the first wireless communication channel, and adjust wireless communication over the first wireless communication channel using the channel metrics for the first wireless communication channel.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes electronics, a physically manipulable member, and a receiver. The receiver is configured to output sound in a first mode at a first decibel level and in a second mode at a second decibel level higher than the first decibel level. The first mode is based on an input from a microphone. The second mode is based on the physically manipulable member not having been manipulated over a selected period of time. In various examples, wireless approaches are used to perform location identification. Examples using antennas and radio frequency identification (RFID) are provided. Various location approaches are possible using different location tones and methods for generation of such tones. Other apparatus are provided for location identification in a system with one or more hearing aids.

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: The present disclosure relates to the wireless communication of analog and digital information using a modulator adapted to communicate analog information in an analog mode and to communicate digital information in a digital mode using frequency modulated transmissions. A demodulator adapted to receive the modulated information is provided. The present subject matter can be used with hearing assistance devices to communicate voice and data information. Applications of the system include communications with assistive listening devices, hearing aids, and other hearing assistance devices.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present subject matter includes a method of receiving an input signal. The method, in various embodiments, includes detecting a peak of the input signal and detecting an envelope of the input signal. In various embodiments, the peak and envelope are used to identify out-of-band blocking signals and to adjust gain control. The method also includes comparing the peak to a first threshold Tp and comparing the envelope to a second threshold Te. In the method, if the peak is above the first threshold and the envelope is below the second threshold, then ignoring the input signal. If the envelope is above the second threshold, the method includes applying automatic gain control to decode information encoded in the input signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to provide improved control of hearing aids and hearing aid applications. In one embodiment, a hearing assistance device includes a microphone, a receiver for playing sound to a wearer, a processor connected to the microphone and the receiver, and a radio connected to the processor. The processor is adapted to enter a low power or standby mode upon receipt of a predetermined command from one or more of the microphone or the radio. The processor is further adapted to exit a low power or standby mode upon receipt of a predetermined command from one or more of the microphone or the radio. Other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for wireless hearing assistance devices and in particular to a controllable range control for wireless hearing assistance device systems. An advertisement is used to allow the receiver to quickly receive streaming information, thus conserving power. In various embodiments, a system for communications with a hearing assistance device includes a wireless streaming device having a range control. The range control is configured to provide a first range for an advertisement transmission and a second range for a streaming information transmission. The first range is less than the second range, in various embodiments.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for enabling a hearing aid user to control the operation of the hearing aid and also select an audio source for streaming audio information such as music directly to the hearing aid. In one embodiment, these functionalities are combined into a single wrist-worn remote device that may also function as a watch.