Acoustic output device with antenna

An apparatus, comprising:

• a behind-the-ear (BTE) prosthetic device including a transceiver, wherein the transceiver comprises one or more of a Radio-Frequency (RF) transmitter and a Radio-Frequency (RF) receiver;
• an auxiliary device that is physically separate from the BTE prosthetic device;
• and
• a lead electrically connecting the auxiliary device to the BTE prosthetic device,
• wherein the lead is electrically connected to the transceiver, and wherein the lead is configured to operate as an electromagnetic antenna for the transceiver during wireless communication.

A hearing device, comprising:

• a housing contoured to fit behind an ear of a recipient;
• at least one signal processor positioned in the housing;
• a transceiver positioned in the housing and configured to at least one of transmit or receive wireless signals;
• a speaker device disposed outside of the housing and configured to be spaced from the housing;
• and
• a lead electrically connected to the speaker device to conduct audio signals from the at least one signal processor to the speaker device,
• wherein the lead is electrically connected to the transceiver, and wherein the lead is configured to operate as an electromagnetic antenna for the transceiver when at least one of transmitting or receiving wireless signals.

A method, comprising:

• receiving acoustic sounds via one or more microphones of a behind-the-ear (BTE) prosthetic device, wherein the BTE prosthetic device comprises a transceiver;
• converting, with at least one signal processor of the BTE prosthetic device, the acoustic sounds to audio signals;
• providing the audio signals to a speaker device via a lead, wherein the speaker device is physically separate from the BTE prosthetic device;
• and
• at least one of wirelessly transmitting or receiving Radio-Frequency (RF) signals via the lead operating as an electromagnetic antenna for the transceiver.