Abstract: A pressure regulating ear plug for regulating the rate of change of pressure inside an ear to minimize the pressure differential between the middle ear and a volume of the external ear cavity adjacent the ear drum is made of an ear plug adapted to fit tightly within the external ear cavity with no or minimal air leakage, and disposed within the ear plug is a pressure regulator with a slow leak rate. The pressure regulator is preferably made of a porous ceramic material.

Abstract: A headband ear protector apparatus with break-away cord attachment including a pair of ear protectors, a resilient headband to form a band which positions the ear protectors to lie by the opposite sides of the head of a person. The headband is formed of a combination of harder and softer materials. The harder material is formed as a main support member for the ear protectors to extend between the ear protectors and provide resilience so the ear protectors will lie by the opposite sides of the head of the person. The main support member includes at least two regions having structure to receive the softer material. The softer material is received by the regions formed with openings having a particular size. A break-away cord attachment for the headband includes a flexible cord having a hard tip at each end of the cord, with the hard tips having a size larger than the particular size of the openings in the softer material to have each tip held in an opening by pressure and friction.

Abstract: An earplug is described, which includes an elastic earplug body (12) and a metal part (14) mounted to the body to form an earplug that can be detected by a metal detector. The metal part (14) is in the form of a band that is clamped around the body. Where the body includes a narrow stem (24) and at least one flange (34) extending from a position (56) on the body and at a radially outward and rearward incline therefrom, the band can be attached to a location (62) lying a small distance rearward of the position where the flange emerges from the stem, so the band is hidden and is prevented from directly engaging a person's ear canal.

Abstract: A single piece protective ear covering device is provided. The device is designed to protect the ear from heat and hairdressing preparations while the hair of the user is being treated. The device has a pair of mutually opposed ear coverings having a drawstring threaded therethrough and through a central strap for adjusting the ear coverings to a secure, fluid tight position about the ear. The strap is secured to both ear coverings and extends under the users chin when the device is in use. The drawstring is threaded through the strap and extends therefrom allowing for adjustment of the ear coverings about the ears.

Abstract: An external ear occlusion device (10, 22) includes a deformable material (18) that conforms to the shape of at least a portion of a user's external ear to occlude the external ear. The deformable material (18) includes an aliphatic polyester, which may be a polycaprolactone polymer having the formula: ##STR1## where R is an aliphatic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: An earplug is described, with a metal insert that enables the earplug to be detected if it falls in a vat of food or other material during industrial processing, wherein the insert can be very easily attached, with or without a cord, to even an earplug body formed of resilient foam. The earplug includes a molded earplug body (12) having an axis (16) extending in forward and rearward directions. The earplug includes a detectable insert (14) attached to the rear portion (22) of the body, the insert comprising a fastener having a shaft (32) extending through a hole (30) in the rearward portion of the body and having a pair of flanges (34, 36) at opposite sides of the rearward portion, with foam body material compressed between the flanges. A cord (96) is attached to the earplug, the cord having a wrapped end part (110) that is wrapped around the shaft and which is compressed between a flange (34) and the compressed portion of the earplug body.

Abstract: Use of a superabsorbent nonwoven material in a moisture absorbing cover for an earmuff. A moisture absorbing ring-shaped cover for a sealing ring of an earmuff includes an inner layer (23) of super-absorbent fiber material. A device for use in moisture absorption at an earmuff comprises a cover (7) of this type and a supplementary cover (9) of the same construction intended for application within the earmuff and with a form corresponding to that of the area encompassed by the ring-shaped cover (7).

Abstract: An earplug assembly. The assembly includes a pair of earplugs adapted for insertion into the ear canal of an individual and an attachment member securely connected to each plug. The attachment member has a first predetermined length and is capable of being extended to a second length. Once extended, the attachment member retains its extended second length.

Abstract: A noise suppressor apparatus including a cylindrical member having an open upper end, a closed lower end, a cylindrical side wall therebetween, and a hollow interior. The closed lower end has an aperture formed therethrough. A noise suppressing portion is dimensioned for placement within the hollow interior of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: Methods and means of treating a person afflicted with Tinnitus in order to relieve the discomfort and aggravation of the affliction uses apparatus that includes: a metal shell of generally hemispherical shape and diameter about the same as a person's head, nested in a similarly shaped larger shell, the space between the nested shells being filled with a natural, soft, flexible, thermally insulating material that may be animal or plant, the two shells being figures of revolution about a common axis and attached together along the common axis with the material in between, compressed somewhat by the attachment, and a handle, whereby the afflicted person can hold the apparatus against his afflicted ear for repeated intervals to relief is noted by the user after several days of these treatments in order to relieve the discomfort and aggravation of the affliction.

Abstract: A method for forming an earplug containment device comprising providing at least one thin-walled, hollow sleeve having an inside diameter less than the diameter of the human ear canal, compressing a slow-recovery earplug having a diameter greater than that of the human ear canal to a cross-sectional size less than that of said sleeve, and inserting said compressed earplug into said sleeve.

Abstract: An earplug having a compressible or deformable sheath component and a more rigid core component. The components are both extruded in order that they may be rapidly and efficiently produced, and then the extrudate is cut into discrete pieces to form earplugs. The earplugs may be cut to form a variety of specially shaped end portions.

Abstract: Hearing-protector plug made of plug material in which there is distributed a detectable material in powder form, particularly iron powder. If lost, such as in the food industry, the plug can be traced with the aid of detection equipment.

Abstract: Ear plugs for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and other water related activities form a watertight seal within an individual's outer ear canals. The ear plugs have a lumen extending along the ear canal. A hydrophobic membrane extending across the lumen, which admits air into or out of the ear canal but blocks water, seals the ear against water but transmits air. This passage of air equalizes pressure across the plug, improves hearing with the ear plug in place, and prevents water contaminants, such as harmful infectious agents and pollutants, from entering the ear canal.

Abstract: A device for facilitating the equalization of pressure across the eardrum of a user which typically includes a facemask configured to fit over at least the eyes and nose of the user. The device further includes a strap for securing the facemask to the face of the user. The strap, when secured to the head of the user, defines a single air space which includes ear portions overlying the user's ears and a connecting portion overlying the sides and back of the user's head and connecting the ear portions. Finally, the device includes a tube for supplying air to the air space. One end of the tube is connected to the air space while the other end of the tube is connected to a source of pressurized air, such as the facemask, the air supply controller or the air supply mouthpiece.

Abstract: A pressure regulating earplug for regulating the rate of change of pressure inside an ear to minimize the pressure differential between the middle ear and a volume of the external ear cavity adjacent the ear drum is made of an ear plug adapted to fit tightly within the external ear cavity with no or minimal air leakage, and disposed within the earplug is a pressure regulator with a slow leak rate. Examples of the material which causes the pressure regulation include porous metal and porous ceramic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible, disposable ear plug which is capable of decreasing humidity levels from the environment within the inner ear of a user. The ear plug includes a resilient hygroscopic body and a removable integral tip which are both surrounded by a flexible water-proof casing. When the integral tip is removed from the body of the ear plug, a surface of the hygroscopic body of the ear plug is exposed. The ear plug is then compressed and inserted into the outer ear of a user such that the exposed hygroscopic surface of the ear plug is able to absorb moisture from within the ear.

Abstract: This invention provides a hearing aid of the kind which has a transmitter element and a receiver-transducer element having a vibrating element. The receiver element is suitable for being placed, preferably movably, in the mouth of the user. The receiver element includes a device for supporting and holding the vibrating element. The device for supporting and holding the vibrating element is formed so that when the vibrating element is in place it is in permanent contact either with at least one tooth or with the palate bone, thereby providing sound transmission to the inner ear by bone conduction.

Abstract: The invention is an improved ear plug composition wherein the improvement comprises the use of cotton fibers as an additional ingredient in a natural ear plug composition comprising: wax, a starch based acid ester of dicarboxylic acid, lanolin, grapefruit seed extract as well as other vitamins, etc. The use of cotton fibers in an earplug composition adds strength to the composition and tends to maintain the ear plug in one homogeneous mass.

Abstract: A custom-molded earplug (18) for swimming protection, hearing protection, and the like, is fabricated in situ by depositing a foaming material (14 or 24) within a person's ear (10 or 42) and allowing the foaming material to form foam (16 or 44). Acoustic and electronic equipment such as a Helmholtz resonator or other tuned device capable of modifying sound waves, a communications transmitter, a communications receiver, a communications transceiver, a hearing aid, an ear microphone, a personal earphone, and a hearing test transducer or probe tube can be fabricated in the ear in a similar fashion. Temperature sensing elements may also be incorporated within or positioned by the foaming material to provide an in the ear thermometer.

Abstract: The Humble Wax Remover.TM.--a safe ear wax extractor is composed of two parts; a safety stopper (10) and a loop curette wax extractor (26), whereby the second part is inserted into the first part thereby making a functional unit. The entire unit is then placed into the ear canal (FIG. 4). Once the unit is inserted into the canal, the handle (20) is rotated, wax is caught in the loop and then the unit is extracted from the canal. Wax is thereby safely extracted from the ear canal. Reinsertion is done until all wax is extracted. Readjustment of depth of insertion is accomplished by changing position of safety stopper with the loop curette wax extractor. Wax is thereby extracted without visualization of ear drums and thereby can be accomplished by lay persons.

Abstract: An improved ear piece to be inserted and dwell on the human outer ear wherein the ear piece has an upper portion overlaying the triangular fossa, a lower portion overlaying the inferior and superior concha and concha ridge areas, and a grooved bridge portion interconnecting the upper and lower portions to receive and embrace the inferior crus; the lower portion includes a terminal end with a through hole sized and configured to allow sound to enter into the ear canal and the upper portion has a nose portion sized and ccnfigured to nest in the internal helix above the inferior crus of a human ear covering the triangular fossa, wherein the ear piece may be of rigid plastic or of rubbery material and may contain a pattern in relief on the surface which confronts the surface of the ear cavity in a pre-selected pattern to correspond to certain ear acupuncture points, and may contain a pattern of magnets on the surface which confronts the surface in the ear cavity in a pre-selected pattern to correspond to certain

Abstract: An ear-protection cup for ear muffs or headphones comprising a cup-shaped frame and a resilient sealing member located at the peripheral edge thereof, by means of which the ear-protection cup can be brought into abutment with an annular shaped part of a user's head located around the ear. The frame is composed of a rigid, cup-shaped outer shell and an inner wall spaced from the outer shell and extending for a substantial way between the inner parts of the outer shell to which it is rigidly connected. The inner wall thus defines between itself and the outer shell an intermediate space in which a layer of elastomeric material is arranged compressed between the outer shell and the inner wall.

Abstract: The invention is a composition especially for ear plugs comprised of a starch based ester of a dicarboxylic acid, lecithin, wax, trace amounts of vitamins A, C, and E and a biocidal amount of grapefruit seed extract. The ear plug composition is especially useful as it retains its elasticity after prolonged use and after being subjected to temperature extremes. The composition is safe, and also kills germs due to biocidal action of grapefruit seed extract among other ingredients.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are hearing protective earplug constructions of the roll-down type. In one aspect the constructions employ means to limit the depth of insertion of the earplug into the ear canal and to facilitate proper insertion thereof. In another aspect, the constructions employ polymeric foam bodies adapted to be compressed, inserted into the ear canal and there allowed to expand to obturate the ear canal and whose recovery time is markedly and inversely temperature dependent.

Abstract: A device for compressing slow recovery earplugs is provided. The device comprises a flexible strip having an elongate compression portion having first and second ends and a base portion at the first end of the compression portion, the base portion having a width greater than that of the compression portion, an opening proximate the compression portion and having a width transverse of the compression portion larger than the width of the compression portion, the compression portion being at least 15 mm wide and of sufficient length that the second end can pass through the opening to form a tubular compression means having a diameter at least that of a slow recovery earplug.

Abstract: A hearing protective earplug which permits alternative push-in and roll-down modes of insertion. The earplug includes a soft, smoothly contoured, resilient, homogeneous viscoelastic polymeric foam main body element having a manipulable stem axially embedded therein and extending outwardly from its base.

Abstract: A ventilation plug is provided for the treatment of middle-ear diseases. The ventilation plug comprises a front edge portion tapered at an acute angle and an intermediate portion made of water repellent synthetic resin. The intermediate portion is arranged for engagement with the eardrum of a patient. The ventilation plug is designed so as to have a minimized size and thus, the insertion to the eardrum can be executed readily and easily; and the plug is also designed to be air permeable and water repellant.

Abstract: A system to block ears to suppress or attenuate sound from entering the ears includes ear blocking structures which are movable between a first position which does not completely block the auditory canals of the user, and a second position which causes the auditory canals to be substantially blocked. An actuator is connectable to the ear blocking members and moves the ear blocking members to the second position upon instruction. The instruction is created by the user causing a switch to be closed signaling the actuator to operate. The ears are semiautomatically blocked without the requirement of the user to manually insert an earplug into the ear, or place an ear cup over the ear.

Abstract: A custom-fitting earplug (18) for hearing protection or other ear applications, or in-ear communications device mounting (40) is fabricated in situ by depositing a foaming material (14 or 24) within the person's ear (10 or 42, respectively) and allowing the foaming material (14 or 24) to expand therein to form foam (16 or 44, respectively). By applying slight pressure from outside the person's ear (10 or 42) through the stem (13) and/or keeper (11) during expansion, the foam (16 or 44, respectively) will be tightly packed in and conform to the ear canal. An optional sheath (15 or 36) positioned over the foaming material (14 or 24, respectively) serves to provide a smooth outer surface for the earplug (18) or communications device (40) produced and can aid in defining and limiting the expansion of the foam (14 or 24, respectively).

Abstract: An ear clean button for cleaning and absorbing the wax and the moisture in a person's ear including a narrow insertion portion for inserting into the person's ear and an enlarged portion to limit the insertion of the insertion portion into the person's ear. An opening extends centrally through the button, and a wax collector is disposed within the opening adjacent to an end surface of the insertion portion for collecting the removed wax. The wax collector includes a hollow cone, a mouth of the cone being disposed at the end surface of the insertion portion with peripheral side walls of the mouth engaging the side walls of the opening, where the closed end of the cone is disposed within the opening. A handle-like introducer is provided for supporting the button, where an end portion of the introducer is removably inserted into the opening of the button from the end surface of the enlarged portion of the button.

Abstract: A wind deflector deflects wind away from the ear to reduce wind noise while ambient sound passes through to the inner ear so that the user's hearing is not substantially impaired.

Abstract: The invention is an external ring, a radial collar, and a protruding portion which extends inside the ear canal to dampen sound. In the preferred embodiment, the collar and the exterior of the protruding portion are molded of a soft, flexible rubber, and the ring is made of a rigid plastic and includes an extending cylindrical core which inserts into the protrusion to make the two parts integral. The ear plug has a dual function, first, to conveniently permit insertion of the plug into the ear to the proper depth automatically and to prevent its easy removal, and secondly, to imitate as exactly as possible a scaled down version of a baby pacifier to enhance the ability to sell a pair of the units as novelty items.

Abstract: A hearing protection system includes a pair of assemblies each composed of an ear plug, ear plug retainer, and attachment member. The ear plug is a plastic foam body resiliently compressible for conforming to a user's ear canal. The body has an axial bore at its rear end and a conical exterior surface convergently tapering from rear to front end. Axially spaced outwardly projecting annular shoulders are formed about the conical exterior surface of the body for engaging the user's ear canal. The ear plug retainer has stem, stop and connecting portions rigidly interconnected from one to the next. The stem portion is an elongated shaft attached at one end to the stop portion and insertable at an opposite and into the bore in the ear plug body. The shaft has a plurality of axially spaced outwardly projecting annular ridges for providing an interference fit within the ear plug bore. The stop portion abuts the rear end of the ear plug for limiting insertion of the stem portion into the ear plug bore.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing the external auditory canal of an ear. The apparatus includes an ear protector band which extends over the forehead, ears, and nape of the head of an individual. The protector band prevents ear plugs from falling out of the ears of the individual, and tends to uniformly distribute compressive forces generated against the head by the band.

Abstract: A bullet-shaped molded foam earplug is provided with a cavity extending from the flanged base axially into the earplug. The cavity provides the earplug a lower equilibrium pressure making the earplug more comfortable. The earplug is formed in a mold having a base containing a plurality of spaced apart cavities. A top plate having a plurality of pins is fitted onto the base such that the pins enter the mold and define the cavity of each earplug.

Abstract: A hearing protector has a body made of a suitable material and matching the shape of the auricle or ear shell and/or the auditory canal of the user. The body is provided with a canal which, in the condition wherein the body is placed within an ear of the wearer, provides communication between the auditory canal and a free space of the body. The body includes a second canal which, like the first canal, extends between the auditory-canal end and the free-space end of the body. An adjustable damping member is provided in or on the first canal for damping sound to suit the wearer's comfort in conditions in which the device is used.

Abstract: An elongated cylinder of yieldable material is longitudinally slit in the shape of a "T", whereby it is easily mounted on nasal cannula tubing by lateral pressure and adjusted to the area where the tubing passes about the ears, functioning as a pad and helping to prevent local skin irritation.

Abstract: A molded detectable earplug assembly includes a pair of earplugs into which a metal, magnetic or X-ray detectable insert is provided. Preferably the earplugs are in pairs connected by a cord. The metal, magnetic or X-ray detectable sphere is detectable by metal, magnetic or X-ray detecting equipment and will announce the presence of an earplug in a product which was processed in a food, beverage, tobacco, or pharmaceutical processing line.

Abstract: A device for closing a curved duct, especially an ear protector for insertion in the auditory canal (4) of the ear, consists of an elastic rod-shaped body (1), e.g. of foamed plastic, which is pointed at one end and the cross-sectional area of which is larger than that of the auditory canal. The pointed end of the rod-shaped body is considerably offset with respect to the longitudinal direction of the body so as to form a lip (5) which is unsymmetrical in relation to the longitudinal direction of the body and capable of conforming to the curved portion of the auditory canal when the rod-shaped body is inserted therein.

Abstract: An ear tip for use with a stethoscope, audio headset or like device, the ear tip being of a construction and design that provides substantial deformation of the ear tip under normal stethoscope pressures such that in use the ear tip is seated comfortably and conformably against the ear canal opening.

Abstract: Disclosed is a facemask equipped with earplugs which permits wearers to hear clearly sounds underwater or hear others to speak to each other. The earplugs can be easily removed from their ears after finishing scuba diving. Thus, scuba diving will increase fun. As a matter of course, wearers will not suffer from bradyacusia, and they will have no fear of losing the sense of balance by allowing cold water to reach the semicircular canals of the inner ear while swimming underwater.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing improved protection for the auditory systems of persons who may be subjected to excessive sound pressures or concussive shock waves or who may have certain disorders of the ear which require the exclusion of foreign matter or fluids from the auditory canal, comprising an earplug or an earplug set in which auditory canal inserts may be pneumatically expanded into positive sealing engagement with the auditory meatus by the application of orally-blown pneumatic pressure developed by the human pulmonary system.

Abstract: A disposable, full-body sheath including padded areas, a body cavity, a body-receiving aperture having a face-encircling portion, areas that have sections of transparent surgical drape and fastening means. The disposable, full-body sheath provides a patient isolation bag for short-term substantial encapsulation of a patient during transport, diagnostic scanning, etc.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a multiple flange earplug composed of a resilient soft polymeric material.

Abstract: An ear tip for use with a stethoscope, audio headset or like device, the ear tip being of a construction and design that provides substantial deformation of the ear tip under normal stethoscope pressures such that in use the ear tip is seated comfortably and conformably against the ear canal opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel apparatus and method of manufacturing an ear plug assembly wherein the plug member is made of foam or similar material. By creating an assembly where the plug member can be confined in a chamber while gas is blown into the chamber, the plug member becomes semi-rigid and permits a piercing object to cut a slit in the plug member without causing it to buckle. If the speed of the cutting blade is at least 75 inches per second, the speed will compensate for the non-rigidity of the plug and it is not necessary to blow gas into the plug. Adhesive added at the location of the slit acts as a lubricant to permit a cord to be inserted into the plug member while at the same time acting as a bonding agent.

Abstract: An earplug of the slow recovery type is described, which has open cells for expelling gas to the outside during compression, but which resists the entry of water through the outside and the soiling of the outside by dirt. The earplug includes a body formed of pressure-molded slow recovery resilient foam material forming multiple gas-filled shells. The plug body has a surface region forming a skin wherein the average cell cross-sectional area is less than half that of cells at the center of the body, and is less than one-tenth millimeter, the surface region being primarily continuous.