Ear-worn devices for tracking exposure to hearing degrading conditions

1 . An ear-worn device comprising:

a control circuit;

a microphone in electrical communication with the control circuit;

an electroacoustic transducer for generating sound in electrical communication with the control circuit;

a power supply circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit;

wherein the ear-worn device is configured to track exposure to hearing degrading conditions over time via at least one of the microphone and a sensor package;

wherein the ear-worn device is configured to store data regarding the tracked exposure;

wherein the ear-worn device or an accessory device in communication therewith is further configured to issue a warning if the tracked exposure crosses a dynamic threshold; and

wherein the ear-worn device or the accessory device is further configured to receive an input regarding a susceptibility factor of the ear-worn device wearer, the susceptibility factor comprising at least one of enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA);

diabetes;

heart disease;

cancer;

congenital ear deformities;

albinism;

tinnitus;

noise-induced hearing loss;

genetic testing results;

ototoxic medication use; and

exposure to cigarette smoke;

wherein the dynamic threshold is adjusted based on the ear-worn device wearer having one or more of the susceptibility factors.

2 . The ear-worn device of claim 1 , the stored data regarding tracked exposure comprising

sound volume or vibration exposure;

duration of exposure; and

at least one of

concurrent movement;

concurrent position;

concurrent oxygen saturation;

concurrent blood glucose concentrations;

concurrent heart rate;

concurrent blood pressure; and

concurrent ambient air chemical sensor data.

3 . The ear-worn device of claim 1 , wherein stored data regarding tracked exposure comprising sound volume or vibration exposure;

duration of exposure; and

a risk index factor calculated using at least one of

concurrent movement;

concurrent position;

concurrent oxygen saturation;

concurrent blood glucose concentrations;

concurrent heart rate;

concurrent blood pressure;

concurrent ambient air chemical sensor data; and

sound or vibration exposure during a preceding time period.

4 . The ear-worn device of claim 1 , the dynamic threshold is based upon a time period's combined exposure intensity and duration.

5 . The ear-worn device of claim 1 , wherein the ear-worn device or an accessory device in communication therewith is further configured to issue a warning if the tracked exposure crosses an instantaneous threshold value or a defined time total of exposure threshold value.

6 . The ear-worn device of claim 1 , wherein the ear-worn device or an accessory device in communication therewith is further configured to issue preventative instructions to the ear-worn device wearer if the tracked exposure crosses an instantaneous threshold value or a defined time total exposure threshold value.

7 . The ear-worn device of claim 1 , wherein the ear-worn device or an accessory device in communication therewith is configured to predict when an ear-worn device wearer will cross a threshold value of tracked exposure based on prior exposure data.

8 . The ear-worn device of claim 1 , wherein the ear-worn device or an accessory device in communication therewith is further configured to initiate a protective countermeasure if the tracked exposure crosses an instantaneous threshold value or a defined time total of exposure threshold value.

9 . The ear-worn device of claim 8 , the protective countermeasure comprising at least one of

adjusting at least one of a sound output volume and a frequency filtering setting of the ear- worn device;

issuing a command to a sound-emitting device to reduce sound volume;

opening or closing an acoustic vent regulation apparatus;

initiating administration of an active agent to the ear-worn device wearer;

initiating a noise-cancellation feature; and

guiding or directing the ear-worn device wearer to a different physical location.

10 . The ear-worn device of claim 1 , the tracked exposure to hearing degrading conditions comprising air pressure changes crossing a threshold value.

11 . The ear-worn device of claim 1 , wherein the ear-worn device or an accessory device in communication therewith is further configured to determine a direction of a predominant source of noise in an environment and direct the device wearer to orient themselves in order to reduce and/or attenuate exposure.

12 . The ear-worn device of claim 1 , wherein the ear-worn device or an accessory device in communication therewith is further configured to determine a direction of a predominant source of noise in an environment and direct the device wearer to orient themselves such that the predominant noise source is located in the direction of the ear-worn device's directional microphone null.

13 . A method of monitoring hearing loss progression comprising:

tracking exposure to hearing degrading conditions over time with an ear-worn device;

storing data regarding the tracked exposure; and

performing at least one of issuing a warning when the tracked exposure crosses an instantaneous threshold value or a defined time total of exposure threshold value;

issuing preventative instructions to the ear-worn device wearer when the tracked exposure crosses an instantaneous threshold value or a defined time total exposure threshold value; and

initiating a protective countermeasure when the tracked exposure crosses an instantaneous threshold value or a defined time total of exposure threshold value; and

determining a direction of a predominant source of noise in an environment and directing the device wearer to orient themselves such that the predominant noise source is located in the direction of a directional microphone null of the ear-worn device.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising initiating a protective countermeasure when the tracked exposure crosses an instantaneous threshold value or a defined time total of exposure threshold value.

15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising guiding or directing the ear-worn device wearer to a physical location that is less noisy than the current physical location.

16 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising adjusting settings of the ear-worn device based on the tracked exposure to hearing degrading conditions.

17 . An ear-worn device comprising:

a control circuit;

a microphone in electrical communication with the control circuit;

an electroacoustic transducer for generating sound in electrical communication with the control circuit;

a power supply circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit;

wherein the ear-worn device is configured to track exposure to hearing degrading conditions over time via at least one of the microphone and a sensor package;

wherein the ear-worn device is configured to store data regarding the tracked exposure; and

wherein the ear-worn device or an accessory device in communication therewith is further configured to determine a direction of a predominant source of noise in an environment and direct the device wearer to orient themselves in order to reduce and/or attenuate exposure.

18 . The ear-worn device of claim 9 , wherein the protective countermeasure comprises closing a vent of the ear-worn device to block external sound.

19 . The ear-worn device of claim 1 , wherein the dynamic threshold is decreased based on the ear-worn device wearer having one or more of the susceptibility factors.