Embodiments herein relate to a local assistant system responding to voice input using an ear-wearable device. The system detects a wake-up signal and receives a first voice input communicating a first query content. The system includes speech recognition circuitry to determine the first query content, speech generation circuitry, and an input database of locally-handled user inputs. If the first audio input matches one of the locally-handled user inputs, then the system takes a local responsive action. If the first audio input does not match one of the locally-handled user inputs, then the system transmits at least a portion of the first query content over a wireless network to a network resource.