Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable device systems and methods for monitoring a device wearer's emotional state and status. In an embodiment, an ear-wearable device is included having a control circuit, a microphone, and a power supply circuit. The ear-wearable device is configured to monitor signals from the microphone, identify signs of anxiety in the microphone signals, and provide a wearer of the ear-wearable device with feedback related to identified anxiety. In another embodiment, a method of monitoring anxiety with an ear-wearable device is included, the method including monitoring signals from a microphone, identifying signs of anxiety in the microphone signals, and providing a wearer of the ear-wearable device with feedback related to the identified anxiety. Other embodiments are also included herein.