Starkey Laboratories, Inc.

Aaron Anderson

Gregory John Haubrich

Paul Anders Shriner

Ezdeen Elghannai

Ryan J Owens

Nikhil Nilakantan

Danita Prabhu

Nasser Thomas Pooladian

Greg Haubrich

Alexander Botz

An ear-worn electronic hearing device comprises an enclosure configured to be supported by, at, in or on an ear of the wearer. Electronic circuitry is disposed in the enclosure and comprises a wireless transceiver. An antenna is disposed in or on the enclosure and operably coupled to the wireless transceiver. The antenna has a physical size and comprises a plurality of cutouts disposed along a periphery of the antenna. The cutouts are configured to increase an electrical length of the antenna without an increase in the physical size of the antenna. The antenna can comprise at least one interior window having a window periphery. A plurality of window cutouts are disposed along the window periphery. The window cutouts are configured to increase a path length of current distribution along the window periphery.

Ear-worn electronic hearing device incorporating an antenna with cutouts

Various embodiments are directed to an ear-worn electronic device configured to be worn by a wearer. The device comprises an enclosure configured to be supported by or in an ear of the wearer. Electronic circuitry is disposed in the enclosure and comprises a wireless transceiver. An antenna is situated in or on the enclosure and coupled to the wireless transceiver. The antenna comprises a first antenna element, a second antenna element, and a strap comprising a reactive component connected to the first and second antenna elements.

Ear-worn electronic device incorporating antenna with reactively loaded network circuit

Embodiments herein relate to hearing device systems that can utilize proxy devices to convey emergency communications. In an embodiment, the system operates in a first communication mode and a second communication mode. The first communication mode can include the hearing device being paired to a wireless communication enabled device for conveying data to a non-local network as initiated by the hearing device. The second communication mode can include the hearing device accessory being paired to the wireless communication enabled device for conveying data to the non-local network as initiated by the hearing device. The system can enter the second communication mode when the hearing device cannot communicate with the wireless communication enabled device. The hearing device accessory uses a hardware address of the hearing device to communicate with the wireless communication enabled device as if it was paired thereto. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Hearing devices using proxy devices for emergency communication

Embodiments are directed to an ear-worn electronic device configured to be worn by a wearer. The device comprises an enclosure configured to be supported at, by, in or on the wearer's ear. A processor is disposed in the enclosure. A speaker or a receiver is coupled to the processor. A radio frequency transceiver is disposed in the enclosure and coupled to the processor. An antenna is disposed in or on the enclosure. A magnetically coupled feed arrangement comprises a separable transformer. The separable transformer comprises a first coil coupled to the antenna and a second coil coupled to the transceiver, wherein the second coil is physically and electrically separated from the first coil. The feed arrangement is configured to feed the antenna via mutual inductance between the first and second coils.

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Mayer, MN, United States of America

Aaron Anderson