Hearing device incorporating conformal folded antenna

A hearing device adapted to be worn by a wearer, comprising:

• a shell configured for placement on an exterior surface of an ear of the wearer, the shell comprising a first end, a second end, an axial length defined between the first and second ends, a bottom, a top, and opposing sides, wherein the bottom, top, and opposing sides extend between the first and second ends;
• circuitry provided within the shell comprising at least a microphone, signal processing circuitry, radio circuitry, and a power source;
• and
• a folded antenna coupled to the radio circuitry, the folded antenna comprising a belly extending longitudinally along one of the bottom and the top and further comprising opposing first and second sides extending from the belly and along the opposing sides of the shell between the first and second ends, the folded antenna encompassing at least some of the circuitry and forming a continuous elongated gap opposite the belly and continuous between the opposing first and second sides, the elongated gap facing the other of the bottom and the top, the belly and the first and second sides of the folded antenna extending along at least 50% of the axial length of the shell;
• wherein the folded antenna is a double-layer structure comprising a first layer continuous with or connected to a second layer;
• the first layer is disposed on exterior surfaces of shell;
• and
• the second layer is disposed on interior surfaces of the shell.