Abstract: A system and method for testing effectiveness of in-the-ear (ITE) hearing protection devices (HPD) while inserted in a user's ears include a headset having circumaural earcups positionable over the user's ears and programmed to sequentially generate sound at a plurality of frequencies and store the user's hearing threshold at each frequency. The user's values are compared to associated reference values for the ITE hearing protection devices and a processor generates an audio, visual, and/or haptic signal indicative of the ITE HPD effectiveness based on the comparisons. The headset may be used as a secondary or supplemental HPD in combination with the ITE devices. The stored user values at each frequency may be used to automatically compensate ambient sounds for the response of the ITE HPDs and any pre-existing user hearing deficiencies to improve speech intelligibility and situational awareness while wearing the devices.

Abstract: A helmet includes a shell configured to extend over ears of a user with integrated acoustic ear cups having a polygonal cushion/seal formed by an upper hexagonal portion connected to a lower inverted triangular portion with a wedge-shaped profile/thickness thinner in the upper portion than at least some of the lower portion to provide non-uniform side loading that improves wearer comfort and reduces acoustic leak paths for passive or active noise reduction (ANR). A headband, headset, or earmuffs for hearing protection include a polygonal cushion/seal with a wedge-shaped profile/thickness to facilitate acoustic sealing and user comfort.

Abstract: A system and method for converting a passive protector earmuff to a communication and/or active noise reduction (ANR) headset include mounting active components to a frame subassembly configured for insertion into the passive earcup to divide the earcup volume into a front cavity without additional passive leak paths and a back cavity having a volume that improves speaker/driver power efficiency with a resistive vent to atmosphere. An earcup having an external shell includes a frame configured for positioning within the external shell and having a first support adapted to contact an interior of the shell and a second circumferential support cooperating with a seal to contact an ear seal plate of the earcup to form the front and back cavities. The frame may support a speaker between the front and back cavity, and secure circuitry within the back cavity.

Abstract: An adjustable sensor mount and associated headset that may include a band with circumaural earcups and cushions may be configured to position a sensor forward of the tragus of a user. The headset may include a speaker, a microphone, and a controller. The mount may include a base configured for sliding engagement with the cushion and a sensor holder secured to the base and configured to receive the sensor. The base may be made of a generally C-shaped resilient plastic or metal material. The holder may be pivotably secured and/or slide relative to the base. The holder may include a support arm that slides and/or pivots relative to the base and receives a housing adapted to secure the sensor. The housing may slide and/or rotate relative to the support arm, and may have an elastomeric covering. Sensor signals may be processed to provide a gating signal for the microphone.

Abstract: An adjustable sensor mount and associated headset that may include a band with circumaural earcups and cushions may be configured to position a sensor forward of the tragus of a user. The headset may include a speaker, a microphone, and a controller. The mount may include a base configured for sliding engagement with the cushion and a sensor holder secured to the base and configured to receive the sensor. The base may be made of a generally C-shaped resilient plastic or metal material. The holder may be pivotably secured and/or slide relative to the base. The holder may include a support arm that slides and/or pivots relative to the base and receives a housing adapted to secure the sensor. The housing may slide and/or rotate relative to the support arm, and may have an elastomeric covering. Sensor signals may be processed to provide a gating signal for the microphone.

Abstract: A headset includes a circumaural assembly having an adjustable sensor mount configured to secure a sensor forward of the tragus of a user. The mount is movable relative to the assembly to position the sensor in contact with or proximal to the user skin. The mount may extend from an interior side or flat component of the assembly into an opening of a circumaural cushion. The sensor mount may include a resilient support arm or structure extending from behind a circumaural cushion, or integrated into the cushion, to urge the sensor into contact with the user. The mount may include a spring-biased rotatable knob having an eccentrically located aperture configured to secure the sensor, and rotatable to position the sensor. Sensor signals may be processed to detect blood flow, heart rate, etc. and/or movement, such as jaw movement indicative of talking for use in automatically muting an associated microphone.

Abstract: A headset includes a band connected to a hub supporting an earphone and an adjustable sensor mount configured to position a sensor forward of a forward of the tragus of a user. The sensor is movable relative to the hub and may translate and/or rotate to position the sensor in contact with or proximal to skin of the user. The headset may include an over-the-head band, an over-the-ear band, or an eyewear band to support an in-the-ear speaker or earbud. The headset may also include a microphone connected to the hub and/or band. The headset may include a processor or circuitry to process sensor signals to detect blood flow, heart rate, etc. and/or movement, such as jaw movement indicative of talking for use in automatically attenuating or muting an associated microphone.

Abstract: An adjustable sensor mount and associated headset that may include a band with circumaural earcups and cushions may be configured to position a sensor forward of the tragus of a user. The headset may include a speaker, a microphone, and a controller. The mount may include a base configured for sliding engagement with the cushion and a sensor holder secured to the base and configured to receive the sensor. The base may be made of a generally C-shaped resilient plastic or metal material. The holder may be pivotably secured and/or slide relative to the base. The holder may include a support arm that slides and/or pivots relative to the base and receives a housing adapted to secure the sensor. The housing may slide and/or rotate relative to the support arm, and may have an elastomeric covering. Sensor signals may be processed to provide a gating signal for the microphone.

Abstract: A headset includes a circumaural assembly having an adjustable sensor mount configured to secure a sensor forward of the tragus of a user. The mount is movable relative to the assembly to position the sensor in contact with or proximal to the user skin. The mount may extend from an interior side or flat component of the assembly into an opening of a circumaural cushion. The sensor mount may include a resilient support arm or structure extending from behind a circumaural cushion, or integrated into the cushion, to urge the sensor into contact with the user. The mount may include a spring-biased rotatable knob having an eccentrically located aperture configured to secure the sensor, and rotatable to position the sensor. Sensor signals may be processed to detect blood flow, heart rate, etc. and/or movement, such as jaw movement indicative of talking for use in automatically muting an associated microphone.

Abstract: A helmet includes a shell configured to extend over ears of a user with integrated acoustic ear cups or ear phones that can be positioned and pressure adjusted while the helmet is in use. An adjustment mechanism connected to each ear cup includes a portion extending through an aperture in the helmet shell to facilitate movement of the ear cup using the portion extending through the shell. The adjustment mechanism may be used to move the ear cups between a retracted position to facilitate donning and removal of the helmet and a user adjustable deployed position with user adjustable side pressure to facilitate sealing and comfort for passive or active noise reduction (ANR).

Abstract: A system and method for converting a passive protector earmuff to a communication and/or active noise reduction (ANR) headset include mounting active components to a frame subassembly configured for insertion into the passive earcup to divide the earcup volume into a front cavity without additional passive leak paths and a back cavity having a volume that improves speaker/driver power efficiency with a resistive vent to atmosphere. An earcup having an external shell includes a frame configured for positioning within the external shell and having a first support adapted to contact an interior of the shell and a second circumferential support cooperating with a seal to contact an ear seal plate of the earcup to form the front and back cavities. The frame may support a speaker between the front and back cavity, and secure circuitry within the back cavity.

Abstract: A helmet includes a shell configured to extend over ears of a user with integrated acoustic ear cups or ear phones that can be positioned and pressure adjusted while the helmet is in use. An adjustment mechanism connected to each ear cup includes a portion extending through an aperture in the helmet shell to facilitate movement of the ear cup using the portion extending through the shell. The adjustment mechanism may be used to move the ear cups between a retracted position to facilitate donning and removal of the helmet and a user adjustable deployed position with user adjustable side pressure to facilitate sealing and comfort for passive or active noise reduction (ANR).

Abstract: A hearing protection device such as a headset or headphone having ear cups is provided with ear seals that incorporate an acoustic barrier for attenuating external noise levels in the interior of the ear cups. The ear seals completely encircle the wearer's ear and use cushioning material into which the acoustic barrier is embedded or otherwise associated. The acoustic barrier comprises a strip or flange of material that is denser than the cushioning material and provides enhanced cross sectional attenuation. The acoustic barrier blocks external noise to reduce the level of noise within the internal cell of the ear cup.