Ear device patents for June 2026

Hall Monitors

Sonova and GN Hearing patents monitor and control user activity while performing hearing aid functions.

GN Hearing patent #12659743, Third-party control of hearing device, takes on the Wild West of OEM devices that license GN architecture. It describes separate and different secret keys used for different OEM customers which enable the hearing device manufacturer [to] remain in full control of which hearing devices are …sold/used as OEM devices and the security functionality of such customer hearing devices.

Sonova patent #12647740, Hearing device and method for analyzing biofluid secreted by outer ear tissue, envisions electrode-laden hearing instruments that detect biological substances such as medication taken by the user, drug molecule(s) found in biofluid, etc. Subsequent analysis may produce a pharmacokinetic profile [of] heart rate data, temperature data, resting heart rate data, heart rate variability data, blood pressure data, RR interval data, oxygen saturation data, movement pattern data of a user, etc. Further, profiling may track a time course of the medication’s absorption, bioavailability, distribution, concentration, metabolism, and/or excretion [for example] to monitor user compliance with a medication treatment regimen.

As for what’s done with the data and by whom, the Sonova patent identifies the user and associated third parties (e.g., caretaker, a family member, a medical professional, an insurance provider, and/or any other suitable third party). All or some received notifications by audible alert, text message, or email message. (Paraphrased from patent, direct quotes in itals)

The June 2026 patent list

About the Author

Holly Hosford-Dunn, PhD, owned and operated a dispensing audiology practice in Tucson and was active in management of HearingHealthMatters.org through 2017.  She holds BA degrees in Communication Sciences, Psychology and Economics; MA in Communication Disorders; PhD in Hearing Sciences. Following post-doctoral work at Max Planck Institute (Munich, DE) and Eaton-Peabody Auditory Physiology Lab (Boston), she joined the Stanford medical school faculty as director of audiology. She has authored/edited numerous text books, chapters, journals, and articles and taught Marketing and Practice Management in a variety of academic settings. She continues to consult and write on topics related to hearing health care vis-à-vis consumer demands, professional training, technological advancement, capital investment, industry consolidation, regulatory control, product and service distribution, and strategic pricing.