Abstract: This invention discloses an ear tip used in connection with a stethoscope. Whereby the disclosed ear tip is formed of a single piece of molded elastomeric material that is inverted and sealed to form a sealed chamber that is filled with a liquid gelatin, whereby standard loads deform the liquid gelatin filled cavity under principles of displacement providing for the ear tips capability of contouring to the infinite variations and configurations of different outer ear canals, and thereby creating a complete acoustic seal between the outer surface of the ear tip and the outer ear of the user. Furthermore, this invention discloses a means of attachment to a listening device that facilitates the attachment and removal of the ear tip to the listening device.

Abstract: A foam earplug that includes a first segment a second segment and a predetermined articulation zone disposed between the first segment and the second segment. The earplug exhibits an equilibrium bend force of no greater than about 10 g.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sound-attenuating ear plug, comprising an elongate elastic body (103) adapted to be inserted at least partially into an auditory meatus. A foil (117) which is rounded in the longitudinal direction (115) of the body (103) and which is extended transversely of this longitudinal direction (115) is responsible for the major part of the sound-attenuating effect of the ear plug. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such an ear plug.

Abstract: An earplug (20) is provided which allows conversation to be conducted whilst inserted in the ear, and blocks out certain noise without substantially sealing the ear canal, and causing discomfort to the wearer. In one embodiment, the earplug includes a first cylindrical element (28) open at one end (30), having a substantially convex shape at its other end (34) for insertion into the outer ear canal, and a second element (32) which fits into the open end of the first cylindrical element to form a connecting juncture therewith. The first and second elements have air circulation means.

Abstract: Noise-reducing earplugs include a configuration and surface ornamentation to resemble a product other than earplugs, or a container for such a product. For example, such earplugs may have a generally cylindrical configuration and appropriate surface ornamentation to resemble can-type containers as are used for beverages (e.g., soft drinks or beer) and other liquid products (e.g., paints, oils, fuel additives, etc.).

Abstract: A non porous wax guard for an in-the-canal hearing aid is in the form of a membrane or diaphragm which completely covers the mouth of the round or other shape outlet of the hearing aid. The membrane is made of plastic or metalized plastic, or stainless steel, having a diameter of between 0.20 inches and 3/8 inch, and a thickness of between 0.0005 inches and 0.001 inches. The membrane is affixed to the mouth of the sound outlet by a number of methods. It may be attached to a thin ring of plastic material, and attached with a spring clip to a recess in the sound outlet. It may simply be bonded, by adhesive or heat bonding, to the recess. It may be affixed to a cylindrical mount, and press-fit into the port. Or, as an alternative, the cylindrical mount may be threaded, and mated with an internal thread cut into the sound outlet.

Abstract: A noise blocking band earplug has a band (12) with outer portions (44, 46) that are bent to prevent the ear-engaging pods (20, 22) from touching the ground, whether placed right-side-up or upside-down on the ground. When the middle region (32) of the band rests on a horizontal surface (64), a band inner end part (70) extends at an upward incline (C) with its outer end forming a second bend (80) so the outer end part (72) extends at a downward incline (D), with the second bend preventing the pods from touching the ground when the earplug is laid upside-down. At the second bend (80), the largely vertical height (J) of the band is increased and its outer surface (102) is made convex to provide pads for more readily pressing the pods against the outside of the ear canals.

Abstract: An acoustical control earpiece comprised of non-foamed polyvinyl chloride plastisol. The earpieces may be acoustical hearing protective earplugs as well as overmolds and covers for audio sound reproduction devices such as headphones, speakers, and hearing aids, and may be used alone or in conjunction with hearing protector bands or eyewear. The earplugs may have an open or closed internal void therewithin, are adapted for receipt into the concha and ear canal of a wearer. The earpieces may be formed by injection molding, roto-molding, or slush molding. The hardness of the earpieces has a 00 Durometer hardness value of about 10 to 90 and preferably ranging 40 to 60.

Abstract: Acoustic valve capable of selective and non-linear filtering of sound and placeable in a perforated ear plug. The acoustic valve consists of a tube enclosing two rigid disks axially spaced opposite each other, each of the disks containing at least one perforation. The total perforated surface of at least one disk is between 0.03 and 0.5 mm.sup.2.

Abstract: A composite reusable sound attenuating or transmitting device, especially an ear plug, is formed from a core, about which is adhered a strip of slow recovery foam. After each use of the device, the strip of foam is generally removed and discarded; typically, a new strip is applied the next time the device is used.

Abstract: A foam earplug for reception at least partially within the ear canal, including a body portion formed of resilient foam plastic material. The foam material has an open cell structure, a size and shape for at least partial reception within the ear canal. The earplug has an outer thin coating of a non-permeable elastomeric material and with the coating forming a skin bonded on the body portion, non-permeable to air, at least in the area of the body portion received within the ear canal for providing an increase in attenuation of sound as compared with the attenuation of sound produced by resilient foam plastic material without the thin coating of the non-impermeable elastomeric material.

Abstract: A hollow earpiece has a bulbous section for insertion into the ear canal and a flange section joined to the bulbous section by a neck with an opening in the tip of the bulbous section to allow water from the ear canal to enter into the bulbous section and an elongated hollow tube coupled to the earpiece at the earpiece neck with one open end of the tube located within the bulbous section and the other open end adaptable for applying a suction to remove water from the user's ear.

Abstract: An acoustical hearing device is presented, including a foam and at least one porous component which is mechanically bonded to the foam. The mechanical bonding of the porous component arises during manufacture, wherein the porous component is placed into a mold cavity as an insert and a foam is formed within the mold so as to allow controlled penetration of the porous component during foaming. Importantly, entrapped air in the closed cavity may pass through the porous component during manufacture, thereby allowing the porous component to act as a mold vent. A method of manufacture of the hearing protective device of the present invention is also presented.

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: A bi-directionally insertable elastomeric ear plug for sealing an ear canal has an outer body defining two identical expansible and collapsible fluid chambers. A fluid, preferably air, is sealed within the outer body, and a passageway is defined between the two fluid chambers for selectively placing the chambers in fluid communication with each other. An elastically displaceable wall bounding the passageway acts as a two-way pressure responsive valve operative to close the passageway and thereby maintain an equilibrium condition with one of the chambers expanded and the other collapsed, and to temporarily open the passageway when one of the chambers is squeezed. The collapsed chamber is insertable into an ear canal with the aid of an elongated semi-rigid core member extending within the outer body. Thereafter, the expanded chamber can be squeezed to expand the collapsed chamber inside of the ear canal to obtain a comfortable yet tight form-fitting seal.

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: 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: An ear defender which comprises two ear plugs (11) each of which is connected to a respective end of a cord (20). Each plug (11) includes a plug-part (10) which is provided with a recess (18) for a cord locking sleeve which coacts with a respective plug-part. The locking sleeve (12) is slotted from its front end in the plug-part so as to form two identical sleeve-parts (24). These are joined together at the rear end of the locking sleeve (12) by at least one hinge or web part (26) formed integrally with the locking sleeve. A length of the end of the cord extends into a channel (32) in the sleeve through an opening provided in the vicinity of the hinge part. The cord end is secured in the channel (32), by pressing the sleeve parts into firm engagement with the cord end within the recess (18).

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 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: A compressible earplug is made of a slow recovery foam material. The earplug has a cross-section formed by a plurality of three or four sides wherein there is an angle no greater than 90.degree. between at least two sets of adjoining sides. In this manner, the plug can be cut from a sheet of material with virtually no waste resulting. Preferably a linear saw cut is used for form the plugs.

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 underwater eardrum protector for use in underwater diving by a person having a perforated eardrum includes an inflatable bladder insertable in an ear canal of the person; a tube for supplying a non-compressible fluid to the bladder so as to inflate the same; a housing fluidly connecting the bladder to the tube; and a pump which supplies the non-compressible fluid to the tube, the pump including a cylinder having an inner wall, a piston slidable in the cylinder so as to define a variable volume chamber with the inner wall of the cylinder, the chamber being in fluid communication with the tube, O-rings connected with the piston for providing a fluid seal between the piston and the inner wall of the cylinder so as to seal the variable volume chamber, and a piston rod for slidably moving the piston in the cylinder so as to reduce the volume of the chamber and force the non-compressible fluid in the chamber through the tube and into the bladder, the piston rod being connected with the piston in a freely rotatab

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.