Physiological monitoring apparatus

1. An earpiece module configured to be worn at an ear of a subject, the earpiece module comprising:

at least one physiological sensor configured to monitor subject pulse rate, wherein the at least one physiological sensor comprises a reflectance pulse oximeter;

at least one external energy sensor configured to monitor temperature, sound, or light in an environment external to the ear of the subject;

a transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit and receive data;

a communication module comprising a microphone, a speaker, and at least one signal processor, wherein the at least one signal processor is configured to process audio information received from a remote source via the transceiver and to communicate the processed audio information to the subject via the speaker, wherein the at least one signal processor is configured to process information in real time from the at least one physiological sensor and the at least one external energy sensor, and wherein the at least one signal processor is configured to provide biofeedback to the subject based on signals produced by the at least one physiological sensor;

a data storage component comprising a plurality of algorithms configured to be utilized by the at least one signal processor, wherein at least one algorithm is configured to focus processing resources on extracting physiological information from the at least one physiological sensor, wherein at least one algorithm is configured to be modified or uploaded wirelessly via the transceiver, and wherein at least one algorithm is a compression/decompression (CODEC) algorithm; and

a power source configured to supply power to the earpiece module.

2. The earpiece module of claim 1 , wherein the at least one physiological sensor and/or the at least one external energy sensor is configured to identify the subject.

3. The earpiece module of claim 1 , wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit signals from the at least one signal processor to a remote telecommunication device following a predetermined time interval, wherein the predetermined time interval comprises a predetermined amount of elapsed processing time.

4. The earpiece module of claim 1 , wherein the power source comprises a portable energy-harvesting power source.

5. The earpiece module of claim 1 , further comprising an earpiece attachment component configured to attach the earpiece module to the ear of the subject.

6. The earpiece module of claim 1 , further comprising an earpiece fitting configured to connect with an ear canal of the ear and transmit sound to the inner ear and eardrum of the subject, and wherein the earpiece fitting comprises the at least one physiological sensor.

7. The earpiece module of claim 1 , wherein the communication module is configured to communicate with the subject via a physical force, wherein the physical force comprises a sense of touch or a vibration.

8. The earpiece module of claim 1 , wherein the communication module is configured to communicate therapeutic sounds to the subject via the speaker in response to subject physiological or psychological stress.

9. The earpiece module of claim 1 , wherein the communication module is configured to communicate a treatment, therapy, and/or plan of action to the subject upon detection of a physiological concern and/or an environmental concern.

10. The earpiece module of claim 1 , wherein the communication module is configured to audibly or visibly alert the subject in response to determining that the subject is meeting physiological targets or exceeding safe physiological limits.

11. The earpiece module of claim 3 , wherein the earpiece module is configured to activate or deactivate the at least one physiological sensor and/or the at least one external energy sensor via commands from the remote telecommunication device.

12. The earpiece module of claim 1 , wherein the data storage component further comprises at least one algorithm configured to monitor a habit of the subject in response to subject pulse rate information obtained by the at least one physiological sensor.

13. The earpiece module of claim 1 , wherein the reflectance pulse oximeter is configured to monitor hydration level of the subject.

14. The earpiece module of claim 1 , wherein the at least one external energy sensor is a first acoustic sensor configured to monitor sound in the environment external to the ear of the subject, wherein the first acoustic sensor is oriented in a direction away from the subject, wherein the at least one physiological sensor comprises a second acoustic sensor oriented in a direction towards the subject, and wherein the data storage component further comprises at least one algorithm configured to employ an acoustic-cancellation physiological signal extraction methodology that compares signals from the first and second acoustic sensors to generate cleaner physiological information about the subject.

15. The earpiece module of claim 1 , wherein the earpiece module is configured such that user preferences on focusing signal processing can be downloaded wirelessly without requiring hardware changes to the earpiece module.

16. The earpiece module of claim 15 , wherein the data storage component further comprises at least one algorithm configured to focus signal processing on pulse signature of the subject for monitoring a heart condition.