Ear-worn electronic system employing in-ear device and battery charging using at-ear device battery charger

A method implemented using an ear-worn electronic system comprising an inner device and a separable outer device configured for deployment at one ear of a wearer, the method comprising:

• receiving, by a connection port of the inner device, an electrical connector disposed at a distal end of a wired charging link extending from the outer device, the inner device comprising:
• a first housing configured for placement at least partially within an ear canal of the wearer;
• a first rechargeable battery and first charging circuitry disposed in the first housing;
• and
• first electronic circuitry disposed in the first housing and coupled to the first rechargeable battery;
• and
• the outer device comprising:
• a second housing separate from the first housing and configured for placement at the wearer's ear proximal of the first housing in an outer ear direction;
• and
• a second rechargeable battery and second charging circuitry disposed in the second housing;
• and
• charging the first rechargeable battery using the second rechargeable battery via the charging link coupling the first charging circuitry and the second charging circuitry;
• wherein the inner device operates independently of the outer device when the outer device is removed from the wearer's ear.