Abstract: An oto-block applicator, includes a plunger, an oto-block holder configured to couple to the plunger; and an insertion stop coupled to said oto-block holder, wherein the insertion stop is configured to prevent insertion of the oto-block holder past a predetermined distance into the ear, and the plunger is configured to push an oto-block held within the oto-block holder out of a front end of the oto-block holder and into the user's ear.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rigid body, a flexible sealing element, a nozzle assembly, and an electrode. The rigid body defines a channel, a reservoir, and a vent path. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the channel. The vent path is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The reservoir is configured to provide spacing between the channel and the vent path. The sealing element is positioned distal to the rigid body. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle head and a post. The post extends distally through the channel of the rigid body. The nozzle head projects distally from a distal end of the post. The electrode is disposed within the channel of the rigid body. The reservoir extends laterally from a longitudinal axis defined by the electrode.

Abstract: A hearing aid device adapted for use within the ear canal and of partially exposed in the canal types. This aid allows an air gap to substantially surround the hearing aid shell and air passages which communicate with the inner ear minimizing occlusion sensations and providing the user with an enhanced natural hearing experience. An aspect of this device is the provision of air passages in the mounting insert which securely positions the hearing aid shell in the wearer's canal. These passages are designed to stay open after insertion of the aid in the ear canal. In use, unamplified sound from the outside passes around the hearing aid shell, through the air passages in the mounting insert blending with the amplified sound emanating from the receiver. The area of air passages in the mounting insert can be tailored by the technician adapting to the hearing loss characteristics of the user.

Abstract: A respiratory mask for continuous positive airway pressure treatment includes a cushion adapted to be positioned against the face of a patient. The cushion is configured in a gasket arrangement around an entrance to the airways of the patient. The cushion is constructed from a polyurethane foam and has a thickness of greater than about 5 mm.

Abstract: An earplug comprises a core and a sound-attenuating body attached to the core, the sound-attenuating body comprising a tip cavity extending proximally from the tip of the sound-attenuating body and comprising a distal opening. The tip cavity side wall includes a plurality of protrusions extending inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the core. The plurality of protrusions may include from 2 to 12 protrusions. A method of making an earplug includes covering at least a portion of a core with a material including unactivated foaming agent; inserting an end of the core and at least a portion of the material into a mold cavity; and activating the foaming agent to create a sound-attenuating body. The sound-attenuating body has a base, tip, and tip cavity with a plurality of protrusions. The mold cavity may include a boss with a cup and plurality of cut-outs on the cup for forming the protrusions.

Abstract: An earpiece with structure for positioning and retaining the earpiece and with structure for sealing against the entrance to the ear canal to provide passive noise attenuation. The positioning and retaining structure engages features of the lateral surface of the ear. The structure for sealing against the entrance to the ear canal includes a conical structure.

Abstract: A sound attenuation system can include a first end that can include a shaft and a flange, the flange can be coupled to the shaft, and a second end that can include a filter stem and a cap. The filter stem can have a hole. The cap can have a first position in which the cap occludes the hole and can have a second position in which the cap is clear of the hole.

Abstract: A hearing-protective earplug (1) with a resilient polymeric foam body (10) and with a grippable stem (110) that includes a forward portion (111) with an annular sleeve (112) that at least partially defines an open-ended, front-facing cavity (114) within which a rearward portion (21) of the resilient polymeric foam body resides.

Abstract: A sound output device includes a sound generating portion that generates a sound, a sound guiding portion that takes in the sound generated in the sound generating portion from one end, and a holding portion that holds the sound guiding portion in the vicinity of the other end. The holding portion is engaged with an intertragic notch, and supports the sound guiding portion such that a sound output hole of the other end of the sound guiding portion to face a depth side of an ear canal. Even in a state where the listener wears the sound output device, the sound output device does not block an ear cavity of the listener, and the listener can listen to the ambient sound.

Abstract: An earplug assembly and method of forming the same is described. The method includes uniaxially stretching a cord formed of copolymer including ethylene segments and vinyl acetate segments to form a cold-drawn cord. The cold drawn cord has an elongation to break of 250% or less. The method then includes fixing the cold drawn cord to an earplug.

Abstract: Sound attenuation devices are provided that may be temporarily worn in a person's ear. The devices generally include a first flange that is configured to be disposed in a person's ear; a second flange that is positioned proximate to the first flange and is also configured to be disposed in the person's ear (with the second flange having a proximate end that exhibits an oblong perimeter); and a cylindrical shaft extending from an interior portion of the second flange. The shaft includes an integrally connected pull tab; it extends beyond the proximate end of the second flange; and the shaft includes an integrally formed reinforcing member that spans an exterior side of the shaft and at least a portion of the pull tab. The devices further include a sound filter disposed within an internal cavity of the shaft.

Abstract: Guards for a space access device are configured to be attached to, as well as removed from the space access device by hand, without the need to resort to any tools to perform the attachment or the removal. A distal guard includes at least first and second filters separated by at least one convoluted pathway, and also includes outwardly extending members projecting outwardly from a base of the distal guard. A proximal guard forms at least one convoluted pathway with a cap forming a proximal end of the space access device. A pull tab provides redundancy against failure. The pull tab may be incorporated into the distal guard.

Abstract: A push-in earplug including an elongate core and outer layer is disclosed. The outer layer includes a sound attenuating portion having a first average density and a stem portion having a second average density, and the second average density is greater than the first average density.

Abstract: A sound attenuation system can include a first end that can include a shaft and a flange, the flange can be coupled to the shaft, and a second end that can include a filter stem and a cap. The filter stem can have a hole. The cap can have a first position in which the cap occludes the hole and can have a second position in which the cap is clear of the hole.

Abstract: A sound-attenuating assembly may have a headpiece and two covered dampening assembly that may be detachably attached to the locations of the headpiece that oppose a wearer's ear; the dampening assembly may have a padded member that may be in contact with a dividing member that may be in a contact with a compressible member which may be disposed within a concave member; the dampening assembly may be disposed within a cover such a fastener of the cover detachably attaches to a fastener of the headpiece.

Abstract: A snorkel mask is disclosed comprising a faceplate having a lateral partition on an interior surface delineating an upper and lower section, the lower section comprising a region that extends away from the upper section and includes a cutout section fitted with a complementary-shaped flexible insert that enables a user to grasp the nose. The snorkel mask further includes a rigid frame bonded to the faceplate and sandwiched between the faceplate and a flexible annular sidewall skirt that is hollow and filled with a gas or other cushioning substance. The flexible skirt includes a lateral nose piece section attached to the partition. The lateral nose piece section having an inlet aperture and check valve for inhaled air, and an orifice through which an exhalation conduit extends from the lower chamber to a snorkel device forming a passageway for exhaled air to pass through the upper chamber to the snorkel device.

Abstract: A system and method of treating hyperacusis is presented. The system uses a customizable, patient-specific, in-ear device combining sound attenuation with loudness suppression and a noise generator to expand the dynamic range of a patient. This device is used with novel software and counseling to provide a patient-specific treatment to hypersensitivity to sound.

Abstract: A perspiration diverting headband is provided having a flexible tubing having a first and second end, an elastic band, wherein the band is disposed within the tubing, a first connector coupled to a first end of the tubing, and a second connector coupled to a second end of the tubing, wherein the first and second connector secure the elastic band and tubing, and a slidable tension fastener configured to secure the elastic band. In addition, the tubing can be flexible tubing that is cylindrical in cross-section. Further, the flexible tubing can be configured to divert perspiration fluids away from a forehead region to a temple region of a user's head. Further, the headband can be simple to use and adjust, simple to manufacture, made of light weight moisture resistant and anti-microbial material, hygienic, and can be customized and configured to any shape, color, or design.

Abstract: An intra-oral appliance for transmitting sound via bone conduction and optimized for comfort, safety, speech intelligibility, eating and drinking and extended wear by the user including an actuator to provide bone conduction sound transmission; a transceiver coupled to the actuator to cause the actuator to generate sound; and a first chamber containing the actuator and the transceiver, said first chamber adapted to be coupled to one or more teeth of the user.

Abstract: A push-in earplug including an elongate core and outer layer is disclosed. The outer layer includes a sound attenuating portion having a first average density and a stem portion having a second average density, and the second average density is greater than the first average density.

Abstract: In-ear monitors, earphones and noise-attenuating earplugs are provided with a vent to improve insertion, removal and wearing comfort, and to protect delicate audio drivers from excessive pressure excursions. The vent is fitted with a pressure-management material such as a viscoelastic open-cell foam to control the rate at which air can pass through the vent. The pressure-management material permits tuning of the vent to achieve acoustically flat attenuation of ambient sound.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of making a corded earplug, including a flexible cord material having a particular cross-section. An earplug having a nose portion for insertion into the ear and a handle portion extending from the nose portion and lying outside of the ear when the nose portion is inserted into the ear. The handle portion including at least two openings physically displaced from each other. At least one of the openings extends within the handle portion and with at least one of the openings having a cross-section different than the cross-section of the cord material. An end portion of the flexible cord material is inserted into the at least one opening extending within the handle portion.

Abstract: A wireless audio system suppresses exterior noise and directs desired sound into a user's ear canal. An audio system may include an earplug to create a seal in the interior of an ear canal. The earplug may include a ribbed exterior profile and can be flexible to create the seal. A speaker may be inserted within the earplug. A channel may extend through a body of the earplug to direct sound into a user's ear canal. A proximal opening may extend from the speaker to the channel of the earplug, and an audio wire may be connected to the speaker. The audio wire may connect to a wireless receiver, or other receiver, to allow audio data to pass through the wire and to the speaker, where it can be converted to audio that is passed directly into the ear canal of the user.

Abstract: Ambient sound is converted into digital signals. A processor performs active noise cancellation and/or a transformation operation that is distinct from the active noise cancellation on the digital signals. The active noise cancellation and the transformation operation transform the digital signals into modified digital signals. The modified digital signals are converted into modified analog signals. The modified analog signals are outputted as audio waves. An interior microphone is configured to output an output signal to the processor in response to receiving the modified analog signals. In response to receiving the output signal from the interior microphone, the processor is configured to determine whether the modified digital signals produce desired audio waves.

Abstract: An expansible ear canal insert for treating TMJ disorders and headaches which acts directly on the TMJ and associated ligament and muscle structures to reduce stress and loads placed on the articulator disc located between the temporal bone and the mandible, as well as supportive muscles and ligaments near the TMJ. The insert is adapted to expand by application of body heat. In the expanded condition, the insert provides support to the TMJ and associated ligament and muscle structures.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for mitigating foreign material buildup for hearing assistance device components. The present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device transducer barrier layer configured to resist accumulation and passage of foreign materials. In various embodiments, the barrier layer includes a membrane that is coated with oleophobic and hydrophobic materials, wherein the barrier is acoustically transparent but prevents the accumulation and passage of unwanted materials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method, apparatus and computer program for provision of meteorological data pertaining to a particular atmospheric condition to assist in the timing of a remedy to ameliorate involuntary physical distress caused by a change in the atmospheric condition. The remedy according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be an earplug including a body having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end, a bore defined within the body and extending from the first end to the second end along the longitudinal axis of the body, and a pressure regulator positioned within the bore and providing an air flow rate of 3.4×10?6 to 7.8×10?5 cc/sec through the bore.

Abstract: A device combining a variable sound attenuator with a hearing device, (such as a hearing aid or tinnitus device) that allows a user to adjust the amount of attenuation of environmental sound in a variable, continuous fashion or in a discrete controlled fashion from zero attenuation to maximum attenuation without removing the device from the ear. The attenuator includes a housing having a passageway, the passageway allowing for sound to pass through the housing and a variable control, the variable control able to control the size of the passageway through the housing and the device including a second passageway for transmitting amplified sound from the hearing device into the ear of the wearer.

Abstract: A hearing device contains a hearing device housing, which is insertable into an auditory canal of a person wearing the hearing device and which has a through-opening leading to the interior of the hearing device housing. The hearing device has a wax guard which is inserted into the through-opening and serves to protect against dirt, and wax, entering the hearing device housing. The guard contains a filter housing, which carries a filter element. At least one aperture is formed in a peripheral wall of the filter housing, which peripheral wall, in the correct insertion state, faces toward a peripheral wall of the hearing device housing delimiting the through-opening, and, in order to carry way and/or take up dirt, the aperture communicates with at least one hollow space arranged in the hearing device housing.

Abstract: An ear tip apparatus for use with a hearing device is provided and comprises a malleable structure. The malleable structure is sized and configured for placement in an ear canal of a user. The malleable structure is deformable to allow an adjustable venting of the ear canal, thereby minimizing the occlusion effect. Methodology for adjusting a degree of venting of the ear canal is also provided, including the automatic adjustments. Adjusting the degree of venting may be done in response to one or more of detected feedback or an environmental cue.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or transducer assembly through a tooth or teeth are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device. The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other hone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.

Abstract: An intra-oral appliance for transmitting sound via bone conduction and optimized for comfort, safety, speech intelligibility, eating and drinking and extended wear by the user including an actuator to provide bone conduction sound transmission; a transceiver coupled to the actuator to cause the actuator to generate sound; and a first chamber containing the actuator and the transceiver, said first chamber adapted to be coupled to one or more teeth of the user.

Abstract: An in-ear earphone featuring a housing, an audio output device carried in the housing, a hollow elongated stem formed integral with the housing and a toroidal-shaped ear dome. The stem having a first output end extending therefrom and being audibly coupled at a second input end to the output device. The ear dome integrally formed on the output end of the stem.

Abstract: An intra-oral appliance for transmitting sound via bone conduction and optimized for comfort, safety, speech intelligibility, eating and drinking and extended wear by the user including an actuator to provide bone conduction sound transmission; a transceiver coupled to the actuator to cause the actuator to generate sound; and a first chamber containing the actuator and the transceiver, said first chamber adapted to be coupled to one or more teeth of the user.

Abstract: A proximity sensing headphone may include a gyroscopic sensor to determine the motion of the headphone structure and a proximity sensor to determine the movement of an external object through a three-dimensional ambient environment. A proximity sensing headphone control circuit determines the relative motion or movement between the headphone structure in the three-dimensional ambient environment and the external object in the three-dimensional ambient environment to determine at least a distance between the headphone structure and the external object and a velocity of the external object through the three-dimensional ambient environment about the headphone structure. The control circuit may provide an alert output if the determined distance between the headphone structure and the external object is less than a defined distance threshold or the velocity of the external object through the three-dimensional ambient environment about the headphone structure exceeds a defined velocity threshold.

Abstract: An earplug for blocking sound can be installed uniformly deep in a person's ear canal and can be easily withdrawn. The earplug includes a foam cylinder (12) and a string (14) extending in a loop from the rear of the cylinder, with opposite front ends (32, 34) of the string loop projecting into the body and held therein as by adhesive (38).

Abstract: A push-in earplug including an elongate core and outer layer is disclosed. The outer layer includes a sound attenuating portion having a first average density and a stem portion having a second average density, and the second average density is greater than the first average density.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or transducer assembly through a tooth or teeth are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device. The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an acoustic seal for a CIC hearing aid has the steps of: embedding sacrificial particles of 50 ?m to 250 ?m into a silicone rubber matrix, the concentration and size of the sacrificial particles being selected to achieve a porosity of at least 40%; molding the silicone rubber matrix using a mold and curing the silicone rubber matrix; removing the sacrificial particles from the silicone rubber matrix by leaching out the sacrificial particles in a solvent; and drying the silicone rubber matrix. The seal is to surround at least part of the hearing aid and by selection of the size and/or concentration and/or the distribution of the sacrificial particles, to provide for an acoustic attenuation of at least 20 dB in a frequency range between 200 Hz and 6 kHz, with a compliance of at least 50 mm/N when the hearing aid is inserted into the ear canal.

Abstract: An ear attenuator headset that allows a user to adjust the amount of attenuation in a variable, continuous fashion from zero attenuation to maximum attenuation without removing the device from a user's head. The ear attenuator headset includes a passageway, the passageway allowing for sound to pass through the headset and a control element, the control element able to control the amount of sound that passes through the passageway of the ear attenuator headset. The ear attenuator can be used in headsets, headphones, and earbuds where electronic sounds are transmitted and added variable attenuation is also available for the consumer to take advantage of for reduction of the external environmental sounds.

Abstract: An earplug includes a sleeve, a resonance tube, and a tip. The sleeve has a plurality of slits, and the resonance tube is connected between the sleeve and the tip. When the sleeve is pressed to deform, the slits are opened to allow sound to enter the sleeve, and pass through the resonance tube and the tip.

Abstract: An earpad (1) to provide an interface between an earcup (4) of a headset (7), a headphone (8) or an ear defender (9). The earpad (1) comprises a contact surface (2) contacting the skin (10) of the ear (11) or ear surroundings of the user. The earpad (1) comprises one or more metal members (3, 6, 12, 13, 33) to transfer heat away from the contact surface (2).

Abstract: An intra-oral appliance for transmitting sound via bone conduction and optimized for comfort, safety, speech intelligibility, eating and drinking and extended wear by the user including an actuator to provide bone conduction sound transmission; a transceiver coupled to the actuator to cause the actuator to generate sound; and a first chamber containing the actuator and the transceiver, said first chamber adapted to be coupled to one or more teeth of the user.

Abstract: A sound attenuator that allows a user to adjust the amount of attenuation in a variable, continuous fashion or in a discrete controlled fashion from zero attenuation to maximum attenuation without removing the device from the ear. The ear attenuator includes a housing having a passageway, the passageway allowing for sound to pass through the housing and a variable control, the variable control able to control the size of the passageway through the housing and the amount of attenuating material located within the passageway through the housing.

Abstract: An ear plug (1) for a hearing aid is made of a resilient material and provided with an extraction cord (4) for providing a grip by which a user can pull the ear plug (1) out of an ear canal. The extraction cord (4) is arranged partly in the resilient material and partly outside the ear plug. A securing bulge (6) is arranged on the part of the extraction cord arranged in the resilient material, in order to secure the position of the extraction cord in the resilient material. The extraction cord is bonded to the resilient material. The invention further concerns a method for manufacturing the ear plug.

Abstract: An earpiece is provided containing a thermal activator layer comprised of a first polymer, the thermal activator layer being separated from the tympanic membrane of the user's ear by an air gap, and an acoustical reflector layer, containing a second polymer and pigment particles, adjacent to the thermal activator layer. The earpiece may be produced by sequential introduction of various liquefied components in layers within the ear canal, with the components being cured to provide the thermal activator layer and the acoustical reflector layer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for clearing effusion from an ear. The method may include applying liquid to an ear canal, which is proximal to a perforated tympanic membrane, which is proximal to a middle ear containing effusion, applying an ear device to seal and pressurize the liquid inside the ear canal, the ear device regulating the amount of pressure inside the ear canal, and inducing a Eustachian tube, which is distal to the middle ear, to open, which causes the fluid to displace the effusion into the Eustachian tube.

Abstract: A system and method for use in iontophoretic anesthesia of a tympanic membrane are disclosed. The system generally includes an earplug and an electrode device. The earplug includes at least one sealing member for sealing the earplug in an ear canal. The sealing member includes microholes which vent fluid above a certain pressure threshold. A headset may connect the earplug to a second earplug. The method involves using the system on a human or animal subject.

Abstract: An earplug is provided to prevent the tinnitus, which comprises an earplug body and at least one tube. The earplug body is made from a soft moldable material. The tube is placed inside the earplug body surrounded by the soft moldable material, and having two openings at two ends of the tube, and a diameter of the tube is in a range from 0.03 cm to 0.15 cm. The tube is configured for communicating outside air to maintain the balance of the air pressure, and thus the earplug of the present invention is able to prevent the tinnitus of the user. Further, although the earplug of the present invention blocks most of the external sound, it still allows some thimbleful sound entering through the tube. In this way, the user does not need to worry about losing contact with the outside and remain the ability of noise reduction, so the user may feel more relieved while sleeping.

Abstract: An ear tip is disclosed that comprises an annular flange having a first end tapering downwardly to a second end and having a circular lateral cross-section. The annular flange is defined by a plurality of sections and each section has a varying wall thickness. An inner body extends internally from the first end within a hollow interior defined by the annular flange toward the second end. An acoustic channel extends through the inner body, where the annular flange at least partially occludes an ear canal from ambient noise and creates at least a partial air seal in the ear canal and the acoustic channel is configured to allow the passage of sound into the ear canal when the inner body is connected with a sound source.