Hearing aid antenna for high-frequency data communication

A method of manufacturing a hearing aid, the method comprising:

• forming an antenna having a first segment and a second segment, wherein:
• the first segment is configured to fit inside a housing of the hearing aid and to be within an ear canal when the hearing aid is inserted into an ear of a wearer,
• the first segment is configured in a helix shape,
• the first segment has a first end and a second end, and the second end being open ended,
• the second segment is configured to be within the housing and disposed near a side of the housing facing toward an outside of the ear canal when the hearing aid is inserted into the ear of the wearer, and
• the second segment has a third end and a fourth end, and the fourth end being open ended,
• an angle of the first segment relative to the second segment is in a range of 72 degrees to 108 degrees;
• coupling a first transmission line to the first end of the first segment;
• coupling a second transmission line to the third end of the second segment;
• and
• coupling the first and second transmission lines to circuitry within the housing that is configured to transmit signals to the antenna and receive the signals from the antenna, wherein a first difference between a first impedance of the antenna having the first segment with the helix shape and an impedance of the circuitry is less than a second difference between a second impedance of the antenna if the first segment had a linear shape and the impedance of the circuitry.

An antenna configured to be positioned within a hearing aid, the antenna comprising:

• a first segment configured to fit inside a housing of the hearing aid and to be within an ear canal when the hearing aid is inserted into an ear of a wearer, wherein the first segment has a first end and a second end, and the second end being open ended, wherein the first segment is configured in a helix shape;
• and
• a second segment configured to be within the housing and disposed near a side of the housing facing toward an outside of the ear canal when the hearing aid is inserted into the ear of the wearer, wherein the second segment has a third end and a fourth end, and the fourth end being open ended, and an angle of the first segment relative to the second segment is in a range of 72 degrees to 108 degrees, wherein:
• the first end of the first segment is configured to be connected to a first transmission line that is coupled to circuitry that is within the housing and that is configured to transmit and receive signals to and from the antenna, and
• the third end of the second segment is configured to be connected to a second transmission line coupled to the circuitry, wherein a first difference between a first impedance of the antenna having the first segment with the helix shape and an impedance of the circuitry is less than a second difference between a second impedance of the antenna if the first segment had a linear shape and the impedance of the circuitry.