Abstract: An ear-wearable electronic device includes a first near-field communication (NFC) device and a transfer region configured to facilitate transfer of a wearable sensor unit into an ear of a wearer or onto an outer ear of the wearer or a surface of the wearer's head adjacent the outer ear. The wearable sensor unit comprises electronic circuitry comprising a second NFC device configured to communicatively couple to the first NFC device and facilitate wireless transfer of power from the ear-wearable electronic device to the wearable sensor unit and wireless transfer of data at least from the wearable sensor unit to the ear-wearable electronic device, and one or more sensors configured to measure at least one physiologic parameter or physiologic condition of the wearer. The wearable sensor unit and the ear-wearable electronic device are configured to remain mechanically decoupled from one another subsequent to deployment of the wearable sensor unit.

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-wearable device includes a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor. One or more processors of the ear-wearable device are configured to determine, based on sample values of a PPG signal generated by the PPG sensor, whether a user of the ear-wearable device has fallen.

Abstract: A hearing device adapted for use by a wearer comprises an audio streaming circuit configured to receive electromagnetic audio streaming via a first communication link. A configuration circuit is configured to receive configuration parameters via a second communication link different from the first communication link for configuring the hearing device to receive the electromagnetic audio streaming. Control circuitry of the hearing device configures the hearing device to enable reception of the electromagnetic audio streaming in accordance with the received configuration parameters.

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: Various embodiments of a hearing device and a method of using such device are disclosed. The hearing device includes a housing having an inner surface and an outer surface, electronic components disposed within the housing, and a port disposed in the housing and extending between a first end at the outer surface of the housing and a second end disposed within the housing, where the port is acoustically connected to at least one of a speaker or a microphone of the electronic components. The hearing components also include a controller that is electrically connected to a sensor and that is adapted to detect a change in capacitance of the sensor, where the change in capacitance is associated with debris at least partially occluding the port.

Abstract: A hearing device adapted for use by a wearer comprises an audio streaming circuit configured to receive electromagnetic audio streaming via a first communication link. A configuration circuit is configured to receive configuration parameters via a second communication link different from the first communication link for configuring the hearing device to receive the electromagnetic audio streaming. Control circuitry of the hearing device configures the hearing device to enable reception of the electromagnetic audio streaming in accordance with the received configuration parameters.

Abstract: An ear-wearable electronic device has a shell with an outer surface. A mounting void goes through the outer surface of the shell and exposes an internal volume of the shell. The mounting void is located at an ear-contacting region of the shell. The ear-wearable device includes a photoplethysmography sensor assembly having an optical transmission structure mounted in the mounting void and having a distal end exposed proximate the outer surface. The distal end of the optical transmission structure conforms to the outer surface of the shell at the ear-contacting region. The distal end is in contact with ear tissue of a user of the ear-wearable electronic device during use.

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: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for hearing assistance devices, and in particular to behind the ear and receiver in canal hearing aids with distributed processing. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a hearing assistance device including hearing assistance electronics in a housing configured to be worn above or behind an ear of a wearer. The hearing assistance device includes an ear piece configured to be worn in the ear of the wearer and a processing component at the ear piece configured to perform functions in the ear piece and to communicate with the hearing assistance electronics, in various embodiments.

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: A method for fitting a hearing instrument comprises obtaining sensor data from a plurality of sensors belonging to a plurality of sensor types; applying a machine learned (ML) model to determine, based on the sensor data, an applicable fitting category of the hearing instrument from among a plurality of predefined fitting categories, wherein the plurality of predefined fitting categories includes a fitting category corresponding to a correct way of wearing the hearing instrument and a fitting category corresponding to an incorrect way of wearing the hearing instrument; and generating an indication based on the applicable fitting category of the hearing instrument.

Abstract: An ear-wearable device includes a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor. One or more processors of the ear-wearable device are configured to determine, based on sample values of a PPG signal generated by the PPG sensor, whether a user of the ear-wearable device has fallen.

Abstract: An example system includes an ear-wearable device comprising a housing and a rechargeable battery located within the housing; a supplemental power storage device configured to provide electrical energy; and circuitry configured to transfer, responsive to occurrence of an event, electrical energy from the supplemental power storage device to the rechargeable battery prior to an initial use of the ear-wearable device.

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: 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: An ear-wearable device, such as a hearing aid or earbud, includes a plurality of biometric sensors configured to generate sensor measurements indicative of at least an aspect of contact between the housing of the ear-wearable device and the ear canal of the user, and compares the sensor measurements to a stored profile in order to determine whether an authorized user is wearing the ear-wearable device.

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 hearing device may include a housing, a microphone, and an acoustic element. The housing may include a shell and a microphone port disposed between an outer surface of the shell and an inner surface of the shell that defines a cavity within the shell. The microphone may be disposed within the cavity of the shell and acoustically connected to the microphone port. The acoustic element may be disposed on the outer surface of the shell or at least partially within the microphone port. The acoustic element may include a substrate and fibers extending from the substrate. At least a portion of acoustic energy incident upon the acoustic element may be received by the microphone.

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.