Headgear Apparatus

Abstract

Headgear comprising at least an earbud and a strap suitable for attachment to a device, which device transports at least one of a gas, a liquid, and a solid suspended in a liquid to and/or away from the wearer.

Description

BACKGROUND

People often need to wear headgear to secure devices to the face. Examples include sleep apnea devices—such as continuous positive airway pressure (“CPAP”) devices also referred to herein as nasal pillows—braces, retainers, glasses, and the like. Certain of such devices need to be secured to the face to resist forces which might otherwise remove the device in an undesired way or circumstance. For example, nasal pillows provide air under pressure to the nose and/or nostrils of a wearer while the wearer is sleeping. Nasal pillow headgear must counteract the forces produced by the air pressure and by movement of the wearer while sleeping.

Existing prior art headgear for securing nasal pillows to the head includes U.S. Pat. No. 7,225,811 and U.S. application Ser. No. 12/074,596, published as publication number 2008/0264422. The headgear disclosed in this prior art is undesirable because it is in contact with the user's hair, because it is in contact with much of a user's head, because it is claustrophobic, because it is visually disruptive, because it can be difficult to attach and remove, and because it produces physical and/or mental discomfort for users. Discomfort with prior art headgear prevents use of such headgear, notwithstanding that the device held on by the headgear may provide benefits to the potential wearer.

Needed is headgear for securing a nasal pillow or similar to the face, which headgear is more comfortable than the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is headgear comprising at least an earbud and a strap suitable for attachment to a device, which device transports at least one of a gas, a liquid, and a solid suspended in a liquid to and/or away from the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a depiction of an embodiment on a human head.

FIG. 2 is a depiction of an embodiment not on a human head.

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment, with and without various components.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment.

FIG. 5 depicts parts of embodiments.

FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of attachment components.

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of attachment components.

FIG. 8 depicts embodiments of attachment components.

FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of attachment components.

FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of attachment components.

FIG. 11 depicts examples of angles found in the depicted drawing figures.

FIG. 12 depicts an embodiment including an air pump and memory, processing, and communications equipment.

FIG. 13 depicts an embodiment of attachment components.

FIG. 14 presents diagrams of ear components to illustrate vocabulary used herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description of the drawings and following detailed description refer to the accompanying drawings. The reference numbers begin with a two-digit numeral which identifies the figure, followed by a three digit numeral which identifies the feature. The same feature number in different drawing figures generally identify the same or similar elements and/or components. A reference to a feature in an figure may be to “##ABC” where “ABC” is the feature number and “##” identifies any figure containing the feature.

The following detailed description is for the purpose of illustrating embodiments of the invention only, and other embodiments are possible without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the appended claims. Certain of the figures are discussed in this specification using certain terms. The following discussion uses these terms and related terms as examples and not as limitations. The components depicted in certain of the figures represent functional groups; it should be understood that such functional groupings need not exist as discrete hardware devices and that the functions described as occurring within, comprising, or being provided by a grouping may be provided within or by common or separate physical devices. The functions within and comprising any of the function groupings may be regrouped in other combinations and certain of the components may be omitted or added without deviating from this disclosure. Certain of the groupings depict components which are included together in the illustration for the sake of convenience. Certain of the figures depict components in isolation; the components from different figures may be combined and/or regrouped.

The figures depict a human wearer; the wearer may be another animal with an ear canal and/or concha.

As used herein, a “provisioning system ##011” is a device which transports at least one of (for example) a gas, a liquid, and a solid suspended in a liquid to and/or away from the wearer. Examples of such transported gas and/or material include pressurized air, food, water, oxygen, medicine, and/or anesthetic. A CPAP device or nasal pillow is a provisioning system.

Waveguides (discussed further below) may pass through, over, and/or be attached to the provisioning system ##011, the strap ##005/009, the earbud ##001, and the securing arm ##003, which waveguides may connect or connect to a sensor or emitter (such as a speaker inside an earbud or another sensor or emitter attached to or in proximity to the wearer) to equipment, which equipment, for example, may determine the state of a sensor and/or emitter and/or may provide the sensor and/or emitter with electrical power, digital data and/or analogue information and/or may connect the sensor and/or emitter with relays, computer memory, and/or computer processors, and/or a data sink or source.

FIG. 1 is a depiction of an embodiment on a human head. The embodiment comprises an earbud 01001, a first portion of a strap 01005, an optional cheek pad 01007, and a second portion of the strap 01009. The first and second strap portions may form one continuous portion. In use, the cheek pad 01007 may be located between the strap and the cheek of the wearer; the cheek pad 01007 may be connected to the strap; the connection between the cheek pad 01007 and the strap may be permanent, semi-permanent, or it may include a releasable connection and/or a friction device which allows the cheek pad 01007 to be moved or relocated along the strap or with respect to its position relative to the earbud 01001 and the provisioning system 01011. Releasable connections and friction devices are discussed further below. The first 01005 and/or second portion of the strap 01009 may, for example, comprise a woven material, multi- or mono-filament string, webbing, ribbon, wire, bar of metal, natural or synthetic fibers, molded or extruded plastic, rubber, silicone, thermoplastic, vinyl, acrylic, fiberglass, carbon fiber, aramid or other composite. The strap 01005/009 and/or cheek pad 01007 may be and/or comprise a flexible and/or stretchable material. For the sake of simplicity of presentation, the strap 01005 is depicted as having a continuous connection with the earbud 01001; the strap may comprise an additional portion, such as a portion proximate or connected to the earbud 01001, which is a rigid or flexible material and/or which comprises attachment hardware, such as a loop, bracket, or similar.

The provisioning system in the example depicted in FIG. 1 is a nasal pillow 01011, comprising a nostril cone 01015 and a conduit 01013. In the example of a provisioning system which is a nasal pillow, the nasal pillow delivers pressurized air to the wearer. The conduit 01013 may transport at least one of a gas, a liquid, and solid suspended in a liquid to and/or away from the wearer. The provisioning system 01011 and/or the conduit 01013 may include one or more outlet ports (with or without a one-way valve) to exhaust exhaled gas from the user. The conduit 01013 may also include a waveguide (wire, fiber optic, etc.) to transport an electrical signal and/or data to and/or away from the wearer, which waveguide may also be part of or be attached to other components, such as the strap 01005/01009 and the earbuds 01001. Waveguides may be incorporated into the components shown in FIG. 1. Waveguides may connect a component, such as a sensor or an emitter (such as a speaker inside an earbud) attached to or in proximity to the wearer, with electrical power, digital data and/or analogue information, relays, memory, and/or processors, and/or a data sink or source. Computer processing, memory, and wireless communication hardware and software may be located in one or more of the device's components and/or in the air pump 12115 or another component.

The provisioning system may comprise a device or component which covers the nose and/or mouth instead of as shown, with nostril cones 01015 inserted into the nostrils. As examples, the earbud ##001, securing arm ##003, strap ##005/009, cheek pad ##007, provisioning system ##011, and conduit ##013 may be made of molded or extruded rubber, silicone, plastic, thermoplastic, vinyl, acrylic, fiberglass, carbon fiber, aramid or other composite, and/or one or more metals.

As used herein, a releasable connection is a connection between two or more components, which connection may be disengaged by a human without the use of a tool (examples of tools include screwdriver, pliers, drills, saws, welding machines, torches, and heat sources). A non-releasable connection is a connection between two or more components which connection may only be disengaged through use of a tool.

The illustration in FIG. 1 also comprises an optional securing arm 01003. The securing arm 01003 comprises, for example, at least a partial arc extending from the earbud, circumferentially posterior to the auricle (or pinna) of the wearer of the apparatus, to a region between the helix and the head of the wearer of the apparatus and behind the location where the first earbud is inserted into the conchal bowl and external auditory canal or ear canal of the wearer. Box 01002 in FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment without the securing arm 01003. Attachment of the securing arm 01003 to the earbud 01001 may be other than as shown in FIG. 1 and other of the figures. FIG. 11 depicts angles between the securing arm ##003 and the earbud ##001, relative to the strap #005 and relative to a vertical line 11117 drawn from the intersection of the securing arm 11003 and the strap 11005 (it being understood that the securing arm 11003 is also off-set toward the viewer in addition to being off-set approximately 25 degrees from the vertical line 11117). The angles shown in FIG. 11 are based on angles using the particular model of a human head and ear found in the drawing figures, which model may not be accurate, average, or include all or even common features of heads and ears. The angular relationship of components in a particular implementation may vary significantly from those measured in FIG. 11. As noted above, the strap ##005 and/or securing arm ##003 may include an angled portion which travels in to the intersection of the strap ##005 and/or securing arm ##003 and/or the earbud ##001; the depiction does not include such an angled portion because the particular model of the human head and ear used to prepare the figures did not require an angled portion, for example, to navigate the opening between tragus and anti-tragus (in the case of the strap ##005) or to otherwise provide an off-set (outward, away from the head) between the strap ##005 and the earbud ##001.

In use and as illustrated in FIG. 1, at least one earbud 01001 is in the ear of a wearer. The earbud(s) 01001 connect to the provisioning system 01011 via the strap, illustrated as having a first portion 01005 and a second portion 01009. The earbuds 01001 and optional securing arm 01003 resist forces experienced and produced by the provisioning system 01011 and other components, transferring these forces to the concha, tragus, anti-tragus, external auditory meatus or ear canal, anti-helix, fossa triangularis, cymba and other ear components. The forces arise from, for example, positive air or gas pressure in the provisioning system, movement of the wearer, movement of the wearer and components relative to components attached to the provisioning system (such as an air pump), relative to a mattress, sheet, pillow, blankets, the wearer's clothing, gravitational forces on various of the components, and similar. The wearer may be asleep or awake, horizontal or vertical, while wearing the apparatus. The earbuds 01001 and optional securing arm 01003 may not resist all forces experienced during use, but may resist enough of such forces to secure the provisioning system to the wearer for a useful period of time. Embodiments and additional details of the apparatus are discussed further below.

FIG. 2 is a depiction of an embodiment not on a human head, provided for the sake of visual clarity.

FIG. 3 presents depictions of an embodiment and various components. Box 03004 in FIG. 3 depicts an internal force transmitting component, referred to herein as the canal rod 03019, which transmits forces to the ear canal and/or concha via portions of the earbud 03001 which extend into the ear canal and/or concha, which forces might otherwise remove the earbud from the ear.

The canal rod 03019 may be found inside of the earbud, for example, inside 03001. The canal rod 03019 may be a different shape, for example to accommodate curvature and shrinking space within the ear canal. Box 03090 shows an example of a bent canal rod 03091. The bend shown is an example; in practice curves may also be used, as well as more than one bend and/or curve. The amount of bend and/or curve may be variable across a distribution curve. In addition to and/or as part of custom made earbuds (discussed below), a characteristic bend and/or curve may be selected to accommodate a range of a target population, such as, for example, a quintile.

The canal rod 03019 may include a flange, notch or similar to accommodate and/or facilitate removal and re-attachment of earbud shells of different sizes from and to the canal rod 03019. The canal rod 03019 may be a semi-flexible and/or deformable material, such as a metal, plastic, or thermoplastic, to allow it to be reshaped. The canal rod 03019 or an air tube(s) with a similar structure as depicted in 03019 may provided ventilation, auditory communication, connection with hearing aids, connection with removable securing arms 03003, and similar. The force transmitting function of the canal rod 03019 may be provided by the rigidity of the material of the earbud, rather than being provided by a distinct canal rod component 03019; in this case, attachment of the strap 03005 to the earbud 03005 may be to a plate on the outer surface of the earbud, such as 11111 in FIG. 11, which plate then transfers the force to the earbud material.

FIG. 3 also depicts, in box 03008, a schematic diagram of force transmitting components which come together in a junction in or proximate to the earbud. This schematic diagram illustrates that forces are transmitted up or from the strap 03005 and to the junction with the canal rod 03019, and to the optional securing arm 03003 (a portion of each of such components being shown in box 03008). The strap 03005, canal rod 03019, and/or optional securing arm 03003 do not have to come together at a single junction, but may be mechanically connected via one or more other components, including through the material of the earbud.

FIG. 4 presents depictions of an embodiment including a brace 04021. The brace 04021 in this illustration contacts the cymba or margin between the anti-helix and the concha of the ear, though the brace may contact other structures in the pinna. The brace 04021 may secure the earbud 04001 against rotational or other forces. The brace 04021 may be used in conjunction with the securing arm 04003, shown in boxes 04010 and 04012, not shown in box 04014.

FIG. 5 depicts parts of embodiments. Box 05016 is meant to depict a molded earbud 05020, molded to conform to the ear canal of a particular individual. The size and shape of the ear canal varies among individuals. The ear canal is a void with a generally sigmoid form and oval cross-section. Custom-molded earbuds have a corresponding positive form. Molded earbuds may also include one or more external portion(s) molded to the contours of an individual's concha, anti-helix, tragus, anti-tragus, and other pinna structures. Examples of custom-molded earbuds are shown in boxes 05028, 05030, and 05032. In the fabrication of custom-made earbuds, a bare canal rod may be inserted into the ear canal, following which silicone, wax, foaming and/or solidifying polymers, or another material or materials may be injected, poured, inserted, inflated, or otherwise situated in the ear canal around or through the inserted canal rod. The canal rod may comprise a disk, piece of foam, or similar on the end inserted furthest into the ear canal (hereinafter called a “retainer”), which retainer may retain the inserted material and reduce the rate at which the inserted material propagates past the retainer. The inserted material may harden in the ear canal or it may flow slowly enough that the inserted material may be removed, such as by pulling on the canal rod, whereupon the removed material may retain a positive form of the shape of the interior of ear canal for a period of time. The removed material may be hardened internally or externally to the ear canal (such as through application of ultraviolet light, application or activation of a hardening catalyst, application of heat or cold, or similar) and/or the removed material may be used to create a mold, which mold may be used to cast a form with the positive structure of the ear canal, which cast form may be cast around a canal rod.

To be used as part of the apparatus disclosed herein, the earbuds shown in boxes 05028, 05030, and 05032 would need to be made of a sufficiently rigid material to resist forces which might otherwise remove the earbuds (rigidity of the material transferring the forces into the concha and/or ear canal), they would need a strap to connect the earbud to a provisioning system, and, optionally, they would include a securing arm 05003. To accommodate a strap and (optional) securing arm, the earbuds shown in boxes 05028, 05030, and 05032 need i) a connector to connect the strap to the earbud, the strap exiting the earbud, for example, in the notch between the tragus and anti-tragus, and ii) a(n) (optional) securing arm exiting the concha generally above the tragus.

FIG. 5 also presents in box 05018 a detail view of an assembly comprising a canal rod 05019 with discs 05022. Discs 05022 may, as illustrated, be of graduated size, and may be made of a flexible material, selected to allow the assembly 05018 to be inserted into the ear canal (small disc first), to hold the assembly within the ear, and to allow the assembly 05018 to be removed from the ear canal with minimal discomfort.

FIG. 6 presents a depiction of an embodiment of attachment components. In this embodiment, which should be understood as an example, the strap comprises portion 06029 which comes from the earbud and/or the cheek pad 06025, passes through an opening in the provisioning system 06011, which opening may be located in a bracket 06031, and then returns as portion 06027 to the cheek pad 06025. At the cheek pad 06025, a tab 06023 comprises a hook-and-loop system (commonly known under the registered trademark “VELCRO”) or another attachment system (snaps, buttons, hooks, etc.), which may be used to releasably secure the strap portion 06027 to the cheek pad 06025. In this embodiment, a wearer may adjust the tension or length of strap between the earbud and the provisioning system by removing the tab 06023 from the cheek pad 06025 and changing the attachment location of the tab 06023 and the cheek pad 06025.

More than one attachment system may be used in a single embodiment. For example, an embodiment may include a snap, to allow a strap ##005 to be released by disengaging the snap, and a velcro system as described with respect to FIG. 6, to change the effective length of the strap between the earbud and the provisioning system.

FIG. 7 illustrates embodiments of attachment components including a friction device which may be used to adjust the tension between the earbud and the provisioning system. In this illustration, which should be understood as an example of a friction device, a cinch plate 07033 comprises two openings 07039 and 07041. The strap portion 07035 passes through opening 07039 in a first direction and then through opening 07041 in the opposite direction, terminating in strap portion 07037. It would be understood that the strap may be passed through the openings 07039/07041 in patterns other than as shown in FIG. 7, such as in a pattern wherein the strap portion 07037 would pass below strap portion 07035 as it exits opening 07041. It is possible to move the strap through the two openings, but only with application of enough force to overcome the friction experienced by the strap and/or only after loosening the strap in the openings. The bar separating the openings 07039/041 may be free to move back and forth in the bracket, which may facilitate developing friction on the strap 07035/037 when loaded with tension and releasing the strap from such friction when not loaded.

Instead of or in addition to being located proximate to the provisioning device (as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7), one or more friction devices or other attachment components may be located proximate to the earbud and/or the cheek pad. As an example, FIG. 10 depicts attachment hardware comprising an opening 10103 in the strap 10005. In FIG. 10, the attachment hardware comprises the opening in the strap 10005 into which the remaining portion of the strap 10117 may enter. A sleeve, not shown, may contain the remaining portion of the strap 10117 within the opening 10103 in the strap. When slid down the strap 10005, the compression ring 10101 compresses the sides of the opening 10103 onto the remaining portion of the strap 10117 and holds the remaining portion of the strap 10117 and the strap 10005 together. As depicted in FIG. 10, the remaining portion of the strap 10117 is within the opening 10103 in the strap; it would be understood that the remaining portion of the strap 10117 may surround the strap 10005 and that the compression ring 10101 may then hold the remaining portion of the strap 10117 on the strap 10005. The compression ring may screw onto a threaded receptacle (not shown) and/or may be part of a spring-loaded bracket (not shown) which spring biases the compression ring toward the end of the strap 10005 and/or which biases the compression ring into a compressed position. The two strap portions 10005 and 10117 may interlock together along a length, releaseably attaching to one another, for example through use of a component similar to the example provided by compression ring 10101, with varying degrees of overlap to change the overall length of the connection between the earbud ##001 and the nasal pillow ##011.

FIG. 8 illustrates two additional examples of friction devices. One of these includes a cinch plate 08053 through which strap 08047 passes as it comes from the earbud and/or cheek pad. The strap 08047 passes through a first opening 08055, which first opening has a release gap 08054 to allow both portions of the strap to be removed from the first opening 08055. The strap 08049 then passes through a second opening 08057, through a device opening 08051, back through the second opening 08057, and the first opening 08055. The device opening 08051 may be proximate to or part of a provisioning system, an earbud, and/or a cheek pad. The second opening 08057 may comprise a second release gap (not shown).

The second friction device illustrated in FIG. 8 is a spring-loaded cylinder 08063 inside of a housing 08065. The spring-loaded cylinder 08063 and housing 08065 both have openings 08064 (only the opening is the housing 08065 is visible in this illustration). When depressed, the opening in the spring-loaded cylinder 08063 lines up with the opening in the housing, allowing the two portions of the strap 08067 and 08069 to pass through aligned openings, which allows the tension on the strap to be adjusted. When released, a spring in the spring-loaded cylinder 08063 displaces the cylinder upward (relative to the orientation of FIG. 8), pinches the strap portions between the now non-aligned openings, prevents movement of the strap portions, and maintains the adjusted tension on the strap between the earbud and the provisioning system. Other spring-loaded pincers may be used.

FIG. 9 illustrates one additional friction device embodiment. In this embodiment, the strap 09073 comes from the earbud or cheek pad, passes through an opening 09074 in a provisioning system (or in a flange 09075 attached to a provisioning system), and through an opening in a retainer disk 09077. Curved leaf springs 09079 contact the strap 09081 (or knobs, indentations, or other structures on a strap, not shown) and create friction which resists pulling of the strap back down through the opening 09074. In the embodiment also shown in FIG. 9, the curved leaf springs 09083 overlap (such as through an interlocking comb pattern, not shown) or are bonded at their intersections and have an opening between them for the strap 09073. In this embodiment, the curved leaf springs 09083 may, for example, be compressed toward retainer disk 09077 to open up the opening between them, to reduce friction on the strap, and allow the strap to be passed through the friction device.

FIG. 13 illustrates an earbud 13001 including a cuff 13117, though which the strap 13005 may pass. This figure is meant to be an other example of a releasable connection which may be used on the earbud and/or the provisioning system (here shown on an earbud). The cuff 13117 may include a clasp (not shown) to be tightened around the strap 13005. The strap 13005 may include one or more chocks (or similar), which chocks prevent the strap 13005 from being pulled toward the provisioning system (not shown) but which allow the strap to be slipped through the opening in the cuff 13117; if multiple such chocks are present on the strap 13005, then the user may place the strap 13005 through the cuff at the chock which provides the desired length between the earbud and the provisioning system. The cuff 13117 and strap 13005 may thereby form a lock and key system. The cuff 13117 system in FIG. 13 may be combined with the compression ring of FIG. 10.

Not all possible attachment components, friction devices, and similar are shown. The figures contain examples. Other components may be used which would provide a similar function.

The apparatus may produce less discomfort than prior art systems for securing nasal pillows to the head, thereby making it more likely for the apparatus to be worn and for the wearer to obtain the benefits offered by the provisioning system. The apparatus may offer additional benefits such as attenuation of external noise and the generation of auditory signals by or in the earbuds. In addition, data collection sensor(s) may be located in the device, including in the earbud, the strap, the provisioning system, and/or the air pump to measure, for example, temperature, pulse, blood pressure, blood oxygen level, or other vital statistics.

Claims

1. An apparatus for attaching a provisioning system to a wearer's head, comprising:

a first earbud for insertion into an ear canal and/or concha of a wearer of the apparatus, the earbud comprising a first connection;

a first strap attached to the first earbud via the first connection and further comprising a second connection to attach the first strap to a provisioning system.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first earbud further comprises a securing arm, which securing arm comprises at least a partial arc extending from the earbud, circumferentially posterior to the auricle of the wearer of the apparatus, to a region between the helix and the head of the wearer of the apparatus and behind the location where the first earbud is inserted into the ear canal and/or concha of the wearer.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises the provisioning system.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises a cheek pad attached to the first strap.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the provisioning system comprises a conduit.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the conduit and provisioning system transports at least one of a gas, a liquid, and a solid suspended in a liquid to and/or away from the wearer.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein at least one of the conduit, the earbud, and strap transports an electrical or optical signal and/or data to and/or away from the wearer.

8. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the provisioning system is a nasal pillow.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the earbud comprises at least one of a portion custom-fitted to the ear canal and/or concha of the wearer, a portion comprising a disk, a portion comprising one or more disks on a stalk, and a foam portion.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the earbud comprises a brace which contacts the anti-helix and/or concha and/or cymba of a wearer.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the earbud further comprises at least two prongs which come together at a junction, wherein the first prong comprises the first connection and the second prong is within the portion of the earbud insertable into the ear canal and/or concha of the user.

12. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the earbud further comprises at least three prongs which come together at a junction, wherein the first prong comprises the first connection, the second prong is within the portion of the earbud insertable into the ear canal and/or concha of the user, and the third prong attaches to and/or comprises at least a portion of the securing arm.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second earbud and a second strap.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an attachment component to adjust the effective length of the strap between the provisioning system and the earbud.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second connections comprises an opening through which the first strap passes.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the opening is in at least one of the provisioning system and the earbud.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the attachment component comprises a friction device, wherein the strap passes through the friction device, which friction device produces friction on the strap.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the attachment component comprises at least one of a cinch plate, a spring-loaded clamp, a buckle, and a hook and loop fastener.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the hook and loop fastener comprises a first portion on the strap and a second portion for releasable attachment to a cheek pad.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second connection are at least one of releasable and non-releasable.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the non-releasable connection comprises a chemical or physical bond with or to the first strap.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the releasable connection comprises an attachment component to adjust the effective length of the strap between the provisioning system and the earbud.

23. An apparatus for attaching a provisioning system to a human head, comprising: a first earbud for insertion into an ear canal and/or concha of a wearer of the apparatus, which first earbud is configured to be attached to the provisioning system via a first strap.