Ear-worn electronic device incorporating directional magnetic antenna

An ear-worn electronic device configured to be worn by a wearer, comprising:

• a housing comprising a first end and an opposing second end, a first side and an opposing second side, and the first and second sides extending between the first and second ends, the first side configured to contact the wearer's head;
• a battery disposed within the housing proximate the first end;
• an acoustic receiver or an acoustic receiver connector disposed within the housing proximate the second end;
• electronics including a near-field magnetic induction (NFMI) radio disposed in the housing;
• a magnetic antenna situated in or on the housing and coupled to the NFMI radio, the antenna comprising a core and a coil wound around a portion of the core;
• and
• a magnetic shield positioned between the antenna and a region of the second side of the housing, the magnetic shield configured as a low reluctance path to a source of magnetic noise impinging on the second side of the housing.