A wireless audio streaming system for swimmers and underwater applications uses directional transmission antennas, one or more reception antennas worn on a user, and a combination of radio frequency and near-field magnetic induction communication, for streaming audio to a swimmer, buffering the streamed audio, and allowing the user to play the audio on a wireless, waterproof headset.

In embodiments of the invention, the present invention is directed to a contact hearing system including: a transmit coil positioned in an ear tip wherein the transmit coil includes an electrical coil wound on a ferrite core; a receive coil positioned on a contact hearing device wherein the receive coil includes an electrical coil without a core; a load connected to the receive coil; and a demodulation circuit connected to the receive coil and the load wherein the demodulation circuit includes a voltage doubler and a peak detector.

A method performed by a programmed processor of an in-ear headphone that is to be worn by a user. The method obtains, over a wireless communication link and via a first wireless connection that uses an accessory profile, a first request, from an audio source device, to start a measurement process. In response to obtaining the request, the method 1) establishes, over the link, a second wireless connection that uses an audio distribution profile between the headphone and the source device, 2) obtains, via the second wireless connection, an audio signal for driving a speaker of the headphone to output sound, 3) responsive to the outputted sound, determining a fit parameter, and 4) transmitting the fit parameter to the source device via the first wireless connection.

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of transmitting information from an ear tip to a contact hearing device, the method comprising the steps of: exciting a transmit coil, the transmit coil being positioned in the ear tip, wherein the transmit coil is wound on a core, the core including a ferromagnetic material; radiating an electromagnetic field from the first coil through the ear canal of a user; receiving the radiated electromagnetic field at a receive coil, the receive coil being positioned on a contact hearing device, the contact hearing device including a receive coil without a ferrite core; and transmitting the information from the transmit coil to the receive coil using, for example, near-field radiation.

A wireless audio streaming system for swimmers and underwater applications uses directional transmission antennas, one or more reception antennas worn on a user, and a combination of radio frequency and near-field magnetic induction communication, for streaming audio to a swimmer, buffering the streamed audio, and allowing the user to play the audio on a wireless, waterproof headset.

An electronic device may contain an input-output device such as a speaker, vibrator, or near field communications antenna. The input-output device may include an inductor. The inductor in the input-output device may be shared by wireless charging circuitry in the electronic device so that wireless charging signals can be converted into power to charge a battery in the electronic device. A separate inductor may also be provided within an input-output device to support wireless charging. A drive circuit may supply drive signals to the input-output device such as audio signals, vibrator control signals, or near field communications output signals for external near field communications equipment. An input amplifier that is coupled across the inductor in the input-output device may be used in receiving near field communications signals.

A sound processor comprises one or more electrical signal outputs configured to generate a plurality of electrical signals. The plurality of electrical signals are generated in specific tuned audio frequency bands in respective audio channels, in response to sound information received at the sound processor in the specific tuned audio frequency bands. The sound processor further comprises a transmitter coupled to the one or more electrical signal outputs for transmission of the plurality of electrical signals. The transmitter is configured to transmit the electrical signal in the respective audio channel over a separate respective transcutaneous communication link.

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a contact hearing system comprising: an ear tip including a transmit coil, wherein the transmit coil is connected to an audio processor, including an H Bridge circuit; a first input to the H Bridge circuit comprising an AND circuit wherein a first input to the AND circuit comprises a carrier signal and a second input to the AND circuit comprises an output of a delta sigma modulation circuit, wherein the delta sigma modulation circuit is a component of the audio processor; and a second input to the H Bridge circuit comprising an NAND circuit wherein a first input to the NAND circuit comprises a carrier signal and a second input to the NAND circuit comprises an output of the delta sigma modulation circuit.

In embodiments of the invention, the present invention is directed to a contact hearing system, the contact hearing system including: an ear tip, the ear tip including a transmit coil wherein the transmit coil is wound around a core including, at least in part, a ferromagnetic material; and a contact hearing device including a receive coil wherein the receive coil is wound around a core including, at least in part, a non-ferromagnetic material.

Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for a high-efficiency antenna for hearing assistance device wireless communication. In various embodiments, a hearing assistance device includes a housing, a power source within the housing, and a radio circuit within the housing and electrically connected to the power source. A circular polarized spiral antenna is provided within the housing in various embodiments, the antenna configured to provide two electric field components configured to be used for wireless communications for the hearing assistance device. The device further includes a transmission line connected to a center of a spiral of the antenna and configured to electrically connect to the radio circuit, according to various embodiments.