A versatile communications (comms) apparatus to provide a means to measure the audio (earphone) output of an electronic device (e.g. a
music player in a smartphone), and / or to provide a means for
wireless communications between a first electronic device (e.g. a smartphone) and a second electronic device (e.g. a
hearing aid, pacemaker, etc). In some embodiments, the comms apparatus does not need power and in other embodiments, its power may be harvested from the first electronic device, or drawn from a battery that may be recharged by harvesting means or charged directly. The first electronic device typically includes an audio (earphone) output, a
microphone input (with a
voltage bias), a long-range communications
transceiver (e.g.
GSM), and where pertinent, a short-range
transceiver (e.g.
Bluetooth) and is internet enabled. In one embodiment, the comms apparatus provides a means where the audio output (earphone) of the electronic device is sampled by its
microphone input, or by
electronics in the comms apparatus. In other embodiments, the comms apparatus is an intermediary communications device between the first electronic device and the second electronic device. The communications therein may be simplex and / or duplex, via either the audio output (earphone),
microphone input, short-range
transceiver, and / or a combination thereof. The communications data (via the comms apparatus) may be transmitted elsewhere, including via
the internet by means of
the internet enabled electronic device.