Abstract: An ear-wearable device is described that includes a plurality of modules that mate together forming a physical outer shell of the ear-wearable device. Each module from the plurality of modules is associated with a different, corresponding feature of the ear-wearable device and each module from the plurality of modules includes a respective physical portion that comprises a different, corresponding part of the outer shell. In addition, each module from the plurality of modules shares a physical interface with at least one other module from the plurality of modules.

Abstract: An ear-wearable device includes a shell shaped for wearing in a user's ear. The shell comprises a tunnel wall shaped to define a tunnel that passes through the ear-wearable device. The tunnel wall defines one or more contact pin apertures through which distal ends of two or more contact pins pass. One or more electrical components are encased within the shell. The contact pins are conductors from the one or more electrical components. The distal ends of the contact pins are positioned to make electrical contact with terminals of a cable plug that is removably inserted into the tunnel.

Abstract: A wearable apparatus includes a wearable electronic device comprising a rechargeable power source, charging circuitry, a processor, and a display. A strap arrangement is connected to the wearable electronic device and comprises one or more charge ports. Each charge port is electrically coupled to the wearable electronic device and comprises a volume of resilient material comprising a through-hole dimensioned to receive one of the electronic devices. The volume of resilient material is configured to stretch and generate a retentive force sufficient to retain the electronic device within the through-hole. Electrical contacts are disposed on a wall of the volume of resilient material and recessed within a thickness of the volume of resilient material. The electrical contacts are configured to electrically communicate with corresponding electrical contacts of the electronic device.

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: First and second hearing assistance devices each comprise a rechargeable power source and power management circuitry configured to control charging of the power sources. A portable charging unit comprises an interface configured to receive a connector of a power cable or a power and data cable, a rechargeable power source coupled to the interface, first and second charge ports configured to receive the first and second hearing assistance devices, and charging circuitry coupled to the first and second charge ports and to the rechargeable power source of the charging unit. The power management circuitry and the charging circuitry cooperate to partially charge the power sources of the hearing assistance devices at an accelerated charge rate above 1.0C when a state of charge (SoC) of the power sources is within a predetermined SoC range.

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: Various embodiments of an earbud for insertion into an ear canal and a hearing device that includes such earbud are disclosed. The earbud includes an elongated body having a first end, a second end, and a cavity that extends along a body axis between the first end and the second end of the elongated body. The earbud also includes a first flange connected to the elongated body, where the first flange includes a first end adjacent the first end of the elongated body, a second end, and a sound hole disposed in the first end of the first flange that is acoustically connected to the cavity of the elongated body. The first flange further includes a vent disposed through the first flange. The earbud also includes a second flange connected to the second end of the elongated body and including a first end adjacent the second end of the elongated body and a second end.

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: Described is a solid wax mitigation barrier for a hearing aid that is cleanable via a simple wiping motion, is not a cause of irritation within the ear canal, and is acoustically transparent. In one embodiment, a wax barrier function is provided by a tube cap for fitting over the acoustic port tube of a hearing aid receiver. The tube cap may be constructed of an elastomeric high tear strength material so as create a small flexible acoustic tube cap that prevents direct ingress of wax into the hearing aid receiver. The design of the cap may also include a bridge that spans an acoustic port inlet so as to block direct material ingress.

Abstract: A recharging system includes a contact pad charger having a compressible contact pad conformable to a rechargeable device body for charging a power storage device in the rechargeable device body. The contact pad charger includes a power supply configured to provide a supply voltage. The compressible contact pad is electrically coupled to the power supply and defines a first variable resistance in response to a first conductor compression. The rechargeable device body includes a power manager electrically coupled to the power supply and is configured to receive a variable input voltage in response to a first variable voltage drop across the first conductor and to provide a regulated output voltage in response to the received variable input voltage. The regulated output voltage is less than the supply voltage. The power storage device is electrically coupled to the power manager and configured to receive the regulated output voltage for charging.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a hearing device and a system of using such device are disclosed. The hearing device includes a housing, electronic components disposed within the housing, and an earpiece adapted to be disposed in an ear canal of the ear of the wearer. The device also includes a sensor adapted to be in contact with a portion of the ear of the wearer, where the sensor is further adapted to detect a physiological characteristic of the wearer and generate a sensor signal based on the physiological characteristic that is received by a controller of the electronic components disposed within the housing; and a cable that operatively connects the sensor to the earpiece, where the cable is biased to maintain contact between the sensor and the portion of the ear of the wearer when the earpiece is disposed in the ear canal of the wearer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for improved microphone protection for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device, such as a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) type hearing aid, that includes a battery door with a microphone slit and a battery contact including a microphone port. In various embodiments, the microphone slit and the microphone port are configured to create a nonlinear acoustic path to a microphone of the hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the acoustic path is configured to prevent earwax from blocking and/or damaging the microphone, such as during insertion, removal or cleaning of the hearing assistance device.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an earbud for insertion into an ear canal and a hearing device that includes such earbud are disclosed. The earbud includes an elongated body having a first end, a second end, and a cavity that extends along a body axis between the first end and the second end of the elongated body. The earbud also includes a first flange connected to the elongated body, where the first flange includes a first end adjacent the first end of the elongated body, a second end, and a sound hole disposed in the first end of the first flange that is acoustically connected to the cavity of the elongated body. The first flange further includes a vent disposed through the first flange. The earbud also includes a second flange connected to the second end of the elongated body and including a first end adjacent the second end of the elongated body and a second end.

Abstract: First and second hearing assistance devices each comprise a rechargeable power source and power management circuitry configured to control charging of the power sources. A portable charging unit comprises an interface configured to receive a connector of a power cable or a power and data cable, a rechargeable power source coupled to the interface, first and second charge ports configured to receive the first and second hearing assistance devices, and charging circuitry coupled to the first and second charge ports and to the rechargeable power source of the charging unit. The power management circuitry and the charging circuitry cooperate to partially charge the power sources of the hearing assistance devices at an accelerated charge rate above 1.0C when a state of charge (SoC) of the power sources is within a predetermined SoC range.

Abstract: Systems and methods relate to a charger and a rechargeable device. The rechargeable device includes a power manager and a power storage device. The power manager may include one or more diodes and a controller configured to detect a charging current, provide a managed power output, and modulate the charging current to communicate through the current. The charger may include controller configured to store a device identifier in memory associated with a last charge state, determine whether a retrieved device identifier matches, and provide an indication of a current charge state in response to a match. The controller of the charger may be configured to send an electrical pulse to the rechargeable device and determine a polarity for charging the device.

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: Described is a solid wax mitigation barrier for a hearing aid that is cleanable via a simple wiping motion, is not a cause of irritation within the ear canal, and is acoustically transparent. In one embodiment, a wax barrier function is provided by a tube cap for fitting over the acoustic port tube of a hearing aid receiver. The tube cap may be constructed of an elastomeric high tear strength material so as create a small flexible acoustic tube cap that prevents direct ingress of wax into the hearing aid receiver. The design of the cap may also include a bridge that spans an acoustic port inlet so as to block direct material ingress.

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: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for improved microphone protection for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device, such as a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) type hearing aid, that includes a battery door with a microphone slit and a battery contact including a microphone port. In various embodiments, the microphone slit and the microphone port are configured to create a nonlinear acoustic path to a microphone of the hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the acoustic path is configured to prevent earwax from blocking and/or damaging the microphone, such as during insertion, removal or cleaning of the hearing assistance device.

Abstract: A recharging system includes a contact pad charger having a compressible contact pad conformable to a rechargeable device body for charging a power storage device in the rechargeable device body. The contact pad charger includes a power supply configured to provide a supply voltage. The compressible contact pad is electrically coupled to the power supply and defines a first variable resistance in response to a first conductor compression. The rechargeable device body includes a power manager electrically coupled to the power supply and is configured to receive a variable input voltage in response to a first variable voltage drop across the first conductor and to provide a regulated output voltage in response to the received variable input voltage. The regulated output voltage is less than the supply voltage. The power storage device is electrically coupled to the power manager and configured to receive the regulated output voltage for charging.