Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to cases such as battery cases and wearable device cases that can be used to prolong the life of batteries used for powering wearable devices. In a first aspect, a case can be included having a base portion defining one or more battery wells and a lid portion including one or more battery well plugs. The lid portion moves between a closed position wherein it can be engaged with the base portion and an open position wherein it can be disengaged from the base portion to allow access to contents therein. The one or more battery well plugs engage with the one or more battery wells when the lid is in the closed position to prevent the flow of oxygen into a battery within the battery well thereby slowing or ceasing the oxidation reaction of the battery and preserving battery life. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device comprising a housing configured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer, audio processing circuitry disposed in or supported by the housing and comprising one or more microphones and an acoustic transducer, a controller disposed in the housing and coupled to the audio processing circuitry, and a power source disposed in the housing. A contact sensor is supported by the housing and coupled to the controller, the contact sensor configured to sense contact between the device and skin of the wearer. A physiologic sensor arrangement is coupled to the controller and configured to measure at least one physiologic parameter or physiologic condition of the wearer. The controller is configured to operate on signals received from the physiologic sensor arrangement in response to the contact sensor sensing contact between the device and the wearer's skin.

Abstract: A hearing aid assembly includes a receiver speaker enclosed within a receiver housing. The receiver housing defines a circuitous receiver acoustic channel, wherein the receiver channel defines an open side along at least a portion of the receiver channel. The receiver channel also defines a pass-through passage extending from a first side of the receiver housing to a second side of the receiver housing, wherein the pass-through passage is partially defined by the wall defining a receiver opening. The hearing aid assembly also includes an earbud configured to fit over at least a portion of the receiver housing and partially cover the open side of the receiver channel.

Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a microphone, a receiver, hearing aid electronics coupled to the microphone and the receiver, and conductive traces overlaying an insulator, the conductive traces configured to interconnect the hearing aid electronics and to follow non-planar contours of the insulator. Examples are provided wherein the insulator includes a hearing aid housing.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable devices. In an embodiment, a system is included having an ear-wearable device having a speaker, a microphone, a first processor, a first non-transitory computer memory, and a first wireless communication device. The system can include a remote-control module having remote-control processor, a remote-control wireless communication device, a pressure switch, a inertial measurement unit (IMU), and a remote-control memory. The remote-control memory stores computer instructions for registering a start position of the IMU at an activation time, detecting a first movement of the IMU, and transmitting a first wireless signal related to the first movement to the first wireless communication device. The first memory stores computer instructions for receiving the first wireless signal at the first wireless communication device, and based on the first wireless signal, changing a first setting of the ear-wearable device. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A hearing device cable including a body portion is described herein. The body portion may extend between a first end region and a second end region along a tube centerline. The body portion may include a first radial portion proximate the first end region and second radial portion proximate the second end region. The first radial portion may define a radius of curvature that is greater than or equal to a radius of curvature defined by the second radial portion. The tube centerline may lie along an x-y plane between the first and second end regions. In one or more embodiments, the body portion may define a passageway extending between the first and second end regions. Further, the hearing device cable may include a superelastic wire within the passageway extending between the first and second end regions.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to an improved connection assembly for hearing assistance devices. The improved connection assembly provides a connection system that is reliable, straightforward to manufacture, and easy to use. The present connection assembly provides a rapid replacement option for the cable and/or the receiver or other electronics connected to the cable. The present subject matter provides for a connection assembly that can be extended to provide connections for a variety of applications which are not limited to a speaker (receiver) in the ear. Sensors and new configurations of component placement are supported using the present assembly, including, but not limited to telecoils, and GMR or TMR sensors, Various electromagnetic interference issues are addressed. In some examples a shielded set of wires are included. In some examples a twisted pair of wires is included. Various combinations of wires for different applications are supported with the present connector system.

Abstract: A hearing assistance system and method are described herein. The system includes a first ear-worn device, a second ear-worn device, and a case. The system is configured to detect a vibration sequence at an IMU and decide whether to pair wireless communication devices of the first and second ear-worn devices based on the vibration sequence detected at the IMU.

Abstract: A hearing device cable including a body portion is described herein. The body portion may extend between a first end region and a second end region along a tube centerline. The body portion may include a first radial portion proximate the first end region and second radial portion proximate the second end region. The first radial portion may define a radius of curvature that is greater than or equal to a radius of curvature defined by the second radial portion. The tube centerline may lie along an x-y plane between the first and second end regions. In one or more embodiments, the body portion may define a passageway extending between the first and second end regions. Further, the hearing device cable may include a superelastic wire within the passageway extending between the first and second end regions.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a hearing device and a system including such device are disclosed. The hearing device can include an enclosure having a front housing and a rear housing, and an isolator disposed between the front housing and the rear housing. The isolator includes a body and a sleeve disposed on the body. The front housing and the rear housing are connected to the sleeve of the isolator. The device further includes a microphone disposed in the front housing, a receiver disposed in the rear housing, an acoustic port that extends through the isolator body between the receiver and an opening disposed in a first end of the front housing, and a microphone port that extends between the microphone and the opening disposed in the first end of the front housing.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a hearing device and a system including such device are disclosed. The hearing device includes an enclosure having a front housing and a rear housing, and an isolator disposed between the front housing and the rear housing, where the isolator includes a body and a sleeve disposed on a side surface of the body. A second end of the front housing and a second end of the rear housing are connected to the sleeve of the isolator. The device also includes a microphone disposed in the rear housing and a receiver disposed in the front housing.

Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a microphone, a receiver, hearing aid electronics coupled to the microphone and the receiver, and conductive traces overlaying an insulator, the conductive traces configured to interconnect the hearing aid electronics and to follow non-planar contours of the insulator. Examples are provided wherein the insulator includes a hearing aid housing.

Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housing configured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer, electronic circuitry disposed in or supported by the housing, a controller disposed in the housing and coupled to the electronic circuitry, and a rechargeable power source and charging circuitry respectively disposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to the controller and comprises first and second charge contacts situated at a wall of the housing. A user-actuatable control is operatively coupled to the controller and comprises a touch sensor coupled to the first and second charge contacts. The touch sensor comprises a threshold detector configured to distinguish between skin contact with the first and second charge contacts and contact between a conductive material more conductive than skin and the first and second charge contacts.

Abstract: A hearing aid assembly includes a receiver speaker enclosed within a receiver housing. The receiver housing defines a circuitous receiver acoustic channel, wherein the receiver channel defines an open side along at least a portion of the receiver channel. The receiver channel also defines a pass-through passage extending from a first side of the receiver housing to a second side of the receiver housing, wherein the pass-through passage is partially defined by the wall defining a receiver opening. The hearing aid assembly also includes an earbud configured to fit over at least a portion of the receiver housing and partially cover the open side of the receiver channel.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to an improved connection assembly for hearing assistance devices. The improved connection assembly provides a connection system that is reliable, straightforward to manufacture, and easy to use. The present connection assembly provides a rapid replacement option for the cable and/or the receiver or other electronics connected to the cable. The present subject matter provides for a connection assembly that can be extended to provide connections for a variety of applications which are not limited to a speaker (receiver) in the ear. Sensors and new configurations of component placement are supported using the present assembly, including, but not limited to telecoils, and GMR or TMR sensors. Various electromagnetic interference issues are addressed. In some examples a shielded set of wires are included. In some examples a twisted pair of wires is included. Various combinations of wires for different applications are supported with the present connector system.

Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housing configured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer, electronic circuitry disposed in or supported by the housing, a controller disposed in the housing and coupled to the electronic circuitry, and a rechargeable power source and charging circuitry respectively disposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to the controller and comprises first and second charge contacts situated at a wall of the housing. A user-actuatable control is operatively coupled to the controller and comprises a touch sensor coupled to the first and second charge contacts. The touch sensor comprises a threshold detector configured to distinguish between skin contact with the first and second charge contacts and contact between a conductive material more conductive than skin and the first and second charge contacts.

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: An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housing, electronic circuitry, a power source, a microphone, and a receiver or speaker. The housing comprises a nozzle dimensioned for deployment within at least a portion of an ear canal. The nozzle comprises a distal portion, a proximal portion, a cavity within the nozzle, and a terminus surface at the distal portion comprising a sound port through which sound can pass out of the nozzle. The nozzle comprises an acoustical vent arrangement comprising a proximal port provided at the proximal portion, a plurality of distal ports provided at the terminus surface, and at least a portion of the nozzle cavity in fluid communication with the proximal port and the distal ports. Each of the distal ports has a volume smaller than that of the proximal port, and a volume of the proximal port is substantially equal to that of the distal ports cumulatively.

Abstract: A hearing aid assembly includes a receiver speaker enclosed within a receiver housing. The receiver housing defines a circuitous receiver acoustic channel, wherein the receiver channel defines an open side along at least a portion of the receiver channel. The receiver channel also defines a pass-through passage extending from a first side of the receiver housing to a second side of the receiver housing, wherein the pass-through passage is partially defined by the wall defining a receiver opening. The hearing aid assembly also includes an earbud configured to fit over at least a portion of the receiver housing and partially cover the open side of the receiver channel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for a multipurpose microphone for hearing devices. A hearing assistance device includes a first housing configured to be worn above an ear of a wearer and a second housing configured to be worn in the ear of the wearer. The device also includes a cable configured to connect to the first housing at a first end and to the second housing at the second end, and a microphone at the second end of the cable, the microphone including an input port facing an acoustic channel. A switch is provided in the acoustic channel, the switch having a first position such that acoustic input to the microphone is received from an inner portion of the ear of the wearer, and a second position such that acoustic input to the microphone is received from an area outside the ear of the wearer.