Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring ear canal wall pressure comfort level are provided. An expandable pressure exertion device is inserted into an orifice. The device is expanded inside the orifice in increments of pressure. A threshold level is saved where a user indicates that the pressure exerted against the walls of the orifice is becoming at least one of uncomfortable, painful, and noticeable.

Abstract: An expandable device (1100) can be configured to occlude an ear canal to isolate an ear canal volume from an ambient environment. The expandable device includes a support structure (1102). A membrane having a proximal end and a distal end is attached at each end around the support structure (1102) forming an expandable element (1104). The expandable element (1104) has an expanded state and an un-expanded state. The expandable element is adjacent to the support structure (1102) in the un-expanded state. The expandable element (1104) in the un-expanded state minimizes an insert profile of the expandable device (1102).

Abstract: Single-chamber coatings are provided. The single-chamber coating includes a first medium, a second medium, and a ridge structure. The first medium covers at least a first portion of the second medium so as to form a chamber. At least one material property of the first medium is different than the second medium. The first medium forms a first wall of the chamber. The first wall is configured to apply a restorative force upon deformation of the chamber. The ridge structure is along a second wall of the chamber and is configured to direct the second medium substantially parallel to a ridge structure plane when the chamber is deformed. The chamber forms at least a portion of a coating. The coating is configured to be attached to an object that is configured to be inserted into an orifice.

Abstract: Multi-chamber coatings are provided. The multi-chamber coating includes a first medium and a second medium. The first medium covers at least a first portion of the second medium so as to form first and second chambers. At least one material property of the first medium is different than the second medium. The first chamber and the second chamber share a wall. The wall is configured to apply a restorative force upon deformation of the first or second chambers. The coating is configured to be attached to an object that is configured to be inserted into an orifice.

Abstract: Methods of operating an audio device are provided. A method includes measuring sound pressure levels (SPLECM) for acoustic energy received by an ear canal microphone (ECM) during a time increment ?t; and calculating a SPL_Dose?t during the time increment ?t using SPLECM.

Abstract: Methods of operating an audio device are provided. A method includes calculating estimated sound pressure levels (SPLs) for drive signals directed to an ear canal receiver (ECR) during a time increment ?t; calculating an estimated SPL_Dose during the time increment ?t using the estimated sound pressure levels; and calculating a total SPL_Dose at a time t of the audio device using the estimated SPL_Dose.

Abstract: An earpiece (100) and a method (300) for evaluating auditory health are provided. Evaluating auditory health includes embedding (302) at least one excitation signal (402) in an audio clip (404) to produce an embedded excitation signal (406), emitting (304) the embedded excitation signal to an ear canal (131) at least partially occluded by the earpiece, analyzing (312) a recorded sound field within the ear canal during a continuous delivery of the embedded excitation signal to assess auditory health, and adjusting (314) the excitation signal within the audio clip during the emitting based on comparative differences with a reference otoacoustic emission (OAE).

Abstract: A method to automatically adjust listening levels to safe listening levels is provided. The method can include the steps of monitoring an audio content level, monitoring a sound pressure level within an ear canal, and gradually reducing over time a volume of the audio content responsive to detecting intermittent manual volume increases of the audio content.

Abstract: Acoustic reflective devices are provided. An acoustic reflective device is configured to be inserted into an orifice. The device includes a stressing device that can vary a volume in response to a voltage difference across a portion of the stressing device. The stressing device is at least partially surrounded by a membrane.

Abstract: A system for monitoring sound pressure levels at the ear includes an ambient sound microphone (ASM) for receiving ambient sounds and an ear canal receiver (ECR) for producing audio signals as a function of ambient sound received at the ambient sound microphone and a sound signal received from an associated personal audio device. A logic circuit is operatively associated with the ASM and ECR and calculates a total SPL_Dose experienced by the ear for periods ?t. The logic circuit may select an action parameter in response to the Total SPL_Dose.

Abstract: Methods of operating an audio device are provided. A method includes measuring sound pressure levels (SPLECM) for acoustic energy received by an ear canal microphone (ECM) during a time increment ?t; and calculating a SPL_Dose?t during the time increment ?t using SPLECM.

Abstract: Methods of operating an audio device are provided. A method includes calculating estimated sound pressure levels (SPLs) for drive signals directed to an ear canal receiver (ECR) during a time increment ?t; calculating an estimated SPL_Dose during the time increment ?t using the estimated sound pressure levels; and calculating a total SPL_Dose at a time t of the audio device using the estimated SPL_Dose.

Abstract: Methods and devices for sound detection and audio control are provided. A listening device (100) can include a receiver (102) and a sound director for directing a sound produced by the receiver into an ear of the user, a microphone (104) and a mount for mounting the microphone so as to receive the sound in an environment, a detector for detecting an auditory signal in the sound received by the microphone, and an alerting device for alerting the user to the presence of the auditory signal. The user's personal safety is enhanced due to the user being alerted to the presence of the auditory signal, which otherwise may be unnoticed by the user due to a loud sound level created at the ear of the user by the receiver.

Abstract: A system that records audio and stores the recording is provided. The system includes first and second monitoring assemblies mounted in an earpiece that occludes and forms an acoustic seal of an ear canal. The first monitoring assembly includes an ambient sound microphone (ASM) to monitor an ambient acoustic field and produce an ASM signal. The second monitoring assembly includes an ear canal microphone (ECM) to monitor an acoustic field within the ear canal and produce an ECM signal. The system also includes a data storage device configured to act as a circular buffer for continually storing at least one of the ECM signal or the ASM signal, a further data storage device and a record-activation system. The record-activation system activates the further data storage device to record a content of the data storage device.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an earplug comprising: at last a partially flexible distal end; an inflatable element; and a flexible anti-distal end, where the anti-distal end has at least one portion that is deformable, where the inflatable element is operatively attached to the distal end by an inflation channel, where when the at least one portion is deformed the inflatable element expands to an adjustable pressure, where at least one portion of the anti-distal end provides a pressurizing force to maintain the expansion of the inflatable element.

Abstract: Methods of monitoring sound pressure level are provided. A method of monitoring sound pressure level includes: measuring a first sound pressure level in the ear canal; measuring a second sound pressure level out of the ear canal; calculating a first sound pressure level dose using the first sound pressure level, where if the first sound pressure level is below a permissible sound level a recovery function is used to calculate the first sound pressure level dose; and calculating a second sound pressure level dose using the second sound pressure level.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a system configured to occlude an ear canal. The system comprises a support structure, an expandable device, a housing, a resilient reservoir, and a threaded device. Resilient reservoir resides within housing and is filled with a medium. The threaded device couples to a threaded region of support structure. Threaded device fits in an opening of housing. Rotating threaded device reduces an interior volume of housing thereby transferring the medium from resilient reservoir to expandable device. Threaded device is rotated to displace sufficient medium within resilient reservoir to expand expandable device to occlude the ear canal. Resilient reservoir is passively filled when expandable device is in an un-expanded state.

Abstract: Methods for personalized listening which can be used with an earpiece are provided. A method includes capturing ambient sound from an Ambient Sound Microphone (ASM) of an earpiece partially or fully occluded in an ear canal, monitoring the ambient sound for a target sound, and adjusting by way of an Ear Canal Receiver (ECR) in the earpiece a delivery of audio to an ear canal based on a detected target sound. A volume of audio content can be adjusted upon the detection of a target sound, and an audible notification can be presented to provide a warning.

Abstract: Methods of acoustic dose monitoring and acoustic dose systems are provided. An acoustic dose system includes a first device configured to measure sound pressure levels directed to an ear drum and a second device configured to convert the sound pressure levels into a sound pressure level dose. The second device sends a notification signal to a third device if the sound pressure level dose is larger than a threshold value.

Abstract: Sealing devices are presented. The sealing device includes a first material and a second material. The first material responds to energy inputs differently than the second material. The first and second material are operatively connected and configured to be inserted into an orifice.