Abstract: A hardware mounting system for eyewear including a mounting bracket that is secured to a temple of eyewear by wrapping a stretchable retention band around the temple and aligning two openings in the retention band around a protrusion in the mounting bracket. Either or both of a mounting arm and a spherical rod end can be secured to the mounting bracket. The mounting arm can allow an ear device such as hearing protection to be secured to the eyewear. The spherical rod end allows a device having a socket such as certain illumination devices to be secured to the eyewear.

Abstract: An earpiece is provided. The earpiece can deform flexibly so as to follow the earhole when in use, and the earpiece can be manufactured easily. An earpiece includes an earpiece body and a filler filled in the earpiece body. The earpiece body has a container-like base member formed of a rubber-like elastic diaphragm that is shaped like a container and has an opening portion. The earpiece body also has a lid member that seals the opening portion liquid-tightly. The filler is flowable at room temperature.

Abstract: A helmet comprises a protective shell shaped to protect a head of a user. The protective shell has an exterior surface, an interior surface, and at least on one opening extending from the exterior surface to the interior surface. At least one detachable cap is sized and shaped to fit the at least one opening.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) foam having a soft open-cell inner layer and a washable closed-cell outer layer which surrounds and substantially seals the inner layer, and which may be used alone or in combination with other components to produce useful articles. The TPE foam includes a base resin which is a styrenic block copolymer, and a foaming agent. A process of forming and molding the TPE foam includes using a shutoff nozzle to prevent the foaming agent from activating before reaching the mold cavity, using an oversized gate to minimize shear heat, and using oversized vents. An earplug may be constructed by molding the TPE foam over a core or body formed from a material which is denser than the TPE foam. A first earplug design may employ a constrained layer damping effect, while a second earplug design may employ an adjustable sound attenuation effect.

Abstract: Headphone eartips with internal support components and methods for making the same are provided. Different support components may provide specific amounts and types of additional rigidity at specific portions of an exterior surface of an outer eartip body that may be expected to interface with specific portions of an ear canal geometry when an eartip subassembly is positioned within the ear canal, such that the eartip subassembly may conform to the various shapes of the ear canal while maintaining an acoustic seal.

Abstract: A method for reducing response time in a speech interface including constructing a partially completed word sequence from a partially received utterance from a speaker received by an audio sensor, modeling a remainder portion using a processor based on a rich predictive model to predict the remainder portion, and responding to the partially completed word sequence and the predicted remainder portion using a natural language vocalization generator with a vocalization, wherein the vocalization is prepared before a complete utterance is received from the speaker and conveyed to the speaker by an audio transducer.

Abstract: A detachable coupling structure for an audio system is disclosed. The detachable coupling structure includes a base and a plurality of posts, extending from the base, to couple to a strap. The detachable coupling structure also includes a spring, contacting the base, to detach the plurality of posts from the strap when the plurality of posts decouple from the strap. The detachable coupling structure further includes a spacer through which the plurality of posts extends. The spring contacts the spacer.

Abstract: A selective attenuating earplug is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a selective attenuating earplug includes a switch adjustable between a first position and a second position, and the switch includes at least one cantilever spring arm.

Abstract: A motorsports helmet having an isolation mount defining a receptacle is provided. An adjustment plate is selectively disposed within the receptacle at different depths and includes an ear-cup. The ear-cup is secured relative to the adjustment plate and includes at least two degrees of freedom of movement.

Abstract: A lanyard is provided. The lanyard may include a lanyard cord which is attached to a personal item such as safety glasses or an access card, an earplug cord which is attached to a first earplug and a second earplug, and a flexible retractable sheath. The lanyard cord and earplug cord may be disposed in the lumen of the retractable sheath and the retractable sheath is movable between a first position where it covers a first section of the lanyard cord and the earplug cord and a second position where it exposes the first section of the lanyard cord and the earplug cord.

Abstract: A strap system for a head-mounted display is disclosed. The strap system includes a rigid segment and a latching subsystem coupled to the rigid segment. The rigid segment has opposite first and second sides. The rigid segment couples to the head-mounted display from the first side. The latching subsystem couples to the second side of the rigid segment. The latching subsystem includes a plate including a pair of slots to respectively receive a pair of posts protruding from a detachable audio system. The latching subsystem also includes a pair of latches to latch to grooves in the pair of posts. Each latch of the pair of latches includes an opening that overlaps a respective slot of the pair of slots. The opening receives a respective post of the pair of posts.

Abstract: The earplugs for use while sleeping are a set of earplugs adapted to suppress noise from reaching the eardrum of the user while remaining securely in place while sleeping. The earplugs for use while sleeping incorporate a timing device and a tone generating device that generates an alarm adapted to wake the wearer at a predetermined time. The earplugs for use while sleeping comprises a plurality of individual earplugs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ear simulator representing an average acoustic ear drum impedance of ears of a population of humans. Another aspect of the invention relates to an ear simulator assembly comprising an ear simulator representing average acoustic ear drum impedance and a detachable ear canal simulator to provide an ear simulator assembly representing an acoustic impedance of a human ear canal or average human canals of the population.

Abstract: The present invention is a new configuration for the external portion of a visual prosthesis in the form of a visor or glasses, including a frame supported by a user's nose and ears. The video processing unit is adapted to be connected by temple portions of the visor and rest on the user's upper back behind the user's neck, or behind the user's head. Controls for the video processor are on one or both temple portions of the visor.

Abstract: A hearing protection means for use with a magnetic resonance tomography device, comprising two noise-protection earpieces for external coverage of two outer ears of an examination object and at least one elastic holder means for affixing the noise-protection earpieces around the outer ears of the examination object, wherein the two noise-protection earpieces comprise a non-magnetic material and have a sound-deadening function is provided. The at least one elastic holder means has a strap-like shape, is able to be disposed on the head of the examination object circumferentially, in this case running along the area of the lower jaw and the outer ear region, and is able to be adapted in its circumferential length such that a predetermined tension is able to be set over the entire circumferential length. The present disclosure further describes a magnetic resonance tomography device which includes a corresponding hearing protection means.

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: The present technology relates to a compact high fidelity earplug. The earplug has a central column having a hollow sound channel. Inner and outer platforms extend radially from the central column to define a first and second chamber. Openings in the first and second platforms allow sound to enter into the first chamber, and pass into the second chamber. Sound is then directed through an opening in the central column, into the sound chamber, and towards the ear of a wearer.

Abstract: An earplug insertion device can include a housing that is configured to hold a first earplug and a second earplug. The device can also include an ejection mechanism that can be configured to respond to a first user force by ejecting the first earplug from the device in a first ejection motion. The ejection mechanism can also being configured to respond to a second user force by ejecting the second earplug from the device in a second ejection motion.

Abstract: A headset to provide noise reduction may include a first microphone that is disposed outside the headset and detects external noise, a first blocking unit configured to block the external noise entering an inside of the headset, a second blocking unit configured to block external noise which is not blocked by the first blocking unit, a second microphone configured to detect internal noise of the headset including noise which is not blocked by the first blocking unit and the second blocking unit, and a speaker configured to output canceling noise to cancel the internal noise detected by the second microphone, wherein the second blocking unit surrounds the second microphone and comprises a one-way sound transmitting passage.

Abstract: A system and method for correcting misshaped ears using a molding device having one or more braces supporting a scaphal mold. The one or more braces and the scaphal mold are adapted to retain the helix and the helical rim of a misshaped ear within a space defined between the one or more braces and the scaphal mold, and to maintain a substantially correct anatomical shape of the helix and the helical rim.

Abstract: A hearing protective device is provided including a first sound attenuating element, a second sound attenuating element, a flexible elongated member connecting the first sound attenuating element and the second sound attenuating element, and a knot formed in the flexible elongated member, the knot is untied by moving the first sound attenuating element in a direction away from second sound attenuating element.

Abstract: A headgear-earwear assembly and a method of assembling the same. The headgear-earwear assembly can include an earwear and a headgear adapted to be coupled together. The earwear can include an elongated member, such as a cord, having a length, and an earpiece coupled to the elongated member. The headgear can include a major surface and a channel oriented substantially along the major surface of the headgear. The channel can be configured to removably house at least a portion of the length of the elongated member. The method can include positioning at least a portion of the elongated member in the channel, such that at least a portion of the length of the elongated member is removably housed in the channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a height adjustment arrangement (100) for an ear cup in a hearing protector unit, wherein the height adjustment arrangement (100) comprises an elongated member (130) and a tubular holding member (110) connected to the elongated member, wherein the holding member provides a substantially hollow interior (111). The height adjustment arrangement further comprises a clamping member (120), wherein the clamping member is arranged to be moved from an unlocked position, in which position relative movement between the elongated member (130) and the holding member (110) is enabled, to a locking position, in which position relative movement between the elongated member and the holding member is prevented. The holding member (110) comprises a first locking member (114), wherein the second end of the holding member is provided with two flanges (115a, 115b) tapering in a direction towards the clamping member, and wherein the first locking member and the flanges are axially separated.

Abstract: A headgear-earwear assembly and a method of assembling the same. The headgear-earwear assembly can include an earwear and a headgear adapted to be coupled together. The earwear can include an elongated member, such as a cord, and an earpiece coupled to the elongated member. The headgear can include a major surface and a channel oriented substantially along the major surface of the headgear. The channel can be configured to removably house at least a portion of the length of the elongated member. The headgear can further include an aperture positioned adjacent the channel and open to the channel. The aperture can include an undulating shape along at least a portion of its length. The method can include positioning at least a portion of the elongated member in the channel, such that at least a portion of the length of the elongated member is removably housed in the channel.

Abstract: A headband, cap, hat, or the like worn by a child, particularly an infant, includes an embedded sound-attenuation system to protect hearing against loud sounds that might startle, awaken, or injure a wearer. Shells formed of a comparatively soft and flexible elastomeric material are secured against the head of a user, each enclosing an ear in an air tight chamber, to close down the transmission paths available to sound waves. The shells are impervious to air, and flexible to conform to the head when secured by the headgear in which the shells are embedded. Each shell is provided with a rim, sufficiently flexible to deform and deflect into complete, sealed contact with the head.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ear protector and an ear protector wrap. In some embodiments, the ear protector comprises: an inner wall, an outer wall, and a curved joining wall. The ear protector is manufactured with a material this is flexible, able to resume its original shape when a deforming force is removed, light weight and low density, has a high compression set, is has insulation properties and chemical resistance properties, easy to manufacture easily colored and processed. The ear protector may include a notch with thin membrane for stretch and retraction, ear cavity button for securing with ear, and thicker bridges for strength and comfort, and installing and removing ear protector with ear. In other embodiments, the present disclosure provides an ear protector wrap for attaching medical tubing to a helix of a human ear.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to an ear cup for use in a hearing protector unit including two ear cups, and a device to fasten the hearing protector unit to a wearer' s head, the device being connected to the ear cups. The ear cup may include a cup portion with a support surface; and a sealing device, placed against the support surface of the cup portion and intended to bear against a wearer' s head in an area around an ear of the wearer.

Abstract: An earplug is provided and includes a tip for use in forward and lateral sealing, which is formed to define a rearward recessed cavity, and a stem. The stem includes a user graspable elongate portion configured with a stiffness in a first direction that is greater than a stiffness in a second direction, which is transverse to the first direction, and a member, disposed at a forward end of the elongate portion and configured to be insertable into the cavity, the member including a surface to be adhered to an interior facing surface of the cavity and on which a channel is defined to allow for outflow from the cavity, and the member being formed with a shape to complement that of the cavity to axially and circumferentially align the tip and the stem.

Abstract: A system and method for correcting misshaped ears using a molding device having one or more braces supporting a scaphal mold. The one or more braces and the scaphal mold are adapted to retain the helix and the helical rim of a misshaped ear within a space defined between the one or more braces and the scaphal mold, and to maintain a substantially correct anatomical shape of the helix and the helical rim.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing hearing protection to a wearer includes an incorporated set of eyewear having an eyewear frame. In one version, a pair of ear muffler tubes are coupled to the supporting members of the frame or made integral therewith, the muffler tubes each extending to the entrance of the ear canal of a person to reduce the level of ambient noise in the ear canal and includes at least one muffler tube of appropriate dimensions sufficient to isolate the ear canal from ambient air that substantially reduces the acoustic impedance at the entrance of the ear canal over a wide range of audible sound frequencies. A connecting tube for attachment to the ear canal is coupled to the ear muffler tube.

Abstract: A respirator mask has a removably mounted support frame that adjustably and removably mounts a corrective lens frame. The corrective lens frame further has a molded bridge with a biasing member embedded therein. A pivotal tab on the support frame is received in one of a plurality of detents on the lens frame for releasably securing the lens frame in the desired position on the support frame. Laterally disposed mounting lugs on the support frame are received in integrally molded pockets in the respirator mask.

Abstract: A combination hearing protector and illumination provider, including a right cup, a left cup, a band, a first light source, and a second light source. The right cup covers the right ear of a user. The left cup covers the left ear of the user. The band connects the right cup to the left cup and is worn over the top of the head of the user. The first light source is operatively connected to one of the right cup and the left cup and faces in a direction that is one of forward of the user and rearward of the user. The second light source is operatively connected to one of the right cup and the left cup and faces in a direction that is the other of forward of the user and rearward of the user. The first light source and the second light source illuminate in opposite directions to each other so as to illuminate forward of the user and rearward of the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to padding for placement over a section of oxygen tubing comprising: a section of hypo-allergenic foam; and a slit along the length of the foam, where the slit provides a means to insert a section of oxygen tubing and the foam conforms to the outer surface of the tubing. The padding provides protection for the user of the oxygen tubing.

Abstract: A hearing protection process comprises (a) providing at least one hearing protection device comprising at least one sound barrier comprising at least one substantially periodic array of structures disposed in a first medium having a first density, the structures being made of a second medium having a second density different from the first density, wherein one of the first and second media is a viscoelastic medium having a speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave and a speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, the speed of propagation of longitudinal sound wave being at least about 30 times the speed of propagation of transverse sound wave, and wherein the other of the first and second media is a viscoelastic or elastic medium; and (b) interposing the hearing protection device between an acoustic source and an acoustic receiver in the form of a human ear.

Abstract: An earmuff hearing protective device whose earmuffs each include a generally cup-shaped, substantially rigid shell having a head-facing rim; a head-engaging, ear-encircling cushion affixed to the rim; and a sound absorber inside the shell. The sound absorber has a moisture-resistant integral skin substantially surrounding an open cell foam interior having lower density and greater porosity than that of the skin. The skin helps discourage moisture pickup and microbial growth.

Abstract: A sanitary ear covering includes at least a first body and alternately a second body formed from deformably resilient material. Each of the first and second bodies may have a circular shape when disposed at an equilibrium position. Each of the first and second bodies may be adapted to conform to the user ear and thereby remain at a substantially stable position during operating conditions. Each of the first and second bodies preferably include an ear-receiving section defining a cup-shaped cavity therein, an outer rim directly coupled to an outer perimeter of the cup-shaped cavity, an ear plug mated to the ear-receiving section and projecting orthogonally inward therefrom, and a strap removably connected to a bottom hemisphere of the outer rim.

Abstract: The invention describes an ear protector (1) comprising a resilient band (2), the free ends of which each have arranged thereon an earplug (4). The band (2) includes a first area (2a) whose centre line (2a?) merges under an angle ? with an additional area (2b). When in use, the band is pivotable in the user's ears about an axis of rotation (3?) extending through the earplugs (4). In order to implement such an ear protector in a structurally simple manner such that noise disturbance caused when the band (2) rubs on a piece of clothing can be reduced or eliminated, it is suggested to implement a chin area (2a) and a cheek area (2b) between which the angle ? is provided, said angle ? ranging from 35° to 90°, preferably from 45° to 70° and even more preferably from 50° to 60°.

Abstract: An earplug for a hearing aid adapted for engagement with earpieces made of materials with a comparatively high hardness. The earplug comprises a resilient sleeve and a shell, the shell having an outer portion adapted to fit within a user's ear canal and a central bore, the central bore having a first abutment shoulder adapted for retaining the resilient sleeve inside the shell and a second abutment shoulder adapted for providing a stop for the resilient sleeve and for the earpiece. Hereby the resilient sleeve is able to combine relatively relaxed manufacturing tolerances with precise positioning of the earpiece inside the earplug.

Abstract: Provided is a new and unmatched solution to preventing ear pain caused during the ascension and descend part of air travel. This product is one of a kind and is very unique. It is an air tight ear capping device called TITSPAMM.

Abstract: A headgear-earwear assembly and a method of assembling the same. The headgear-earwear assembly can include an earwear and a headgear adapted to be coupled together. The earwear can include an elongated member, such as a cord, having a length, and an earpiece coupled to the elongated member. The headgear can include a major surface and a channel oriented substantially along the major surface of the headgear. The channel can be configured to removably house at least a portion of the length of the elongated member. The method can include positioning at least a portion of the elongated member in the channel, such that at least a portion of the length of the elongated member is removably housed in the channel.

Abstract: A headgear-earwear assembly and a method of assembling the same. The headgear-earwear assembly can include an earwear and a headgear adapted to be coupled together. The earwear can include an elongated member, such as a cord, and an earpiece coupled to the elongated member. The headgear can include a major surface and a channel oriented substantially along the major surface of the headgear. The channel can be configured to removably house at least a portion of the length of the elongated member. The headgear can further include an aperture positioned adjacent the channel and open to the channel. The aperture can include an undulating shape along at least a portion of its length. The method can include positioning at least a portion of the elongated member in the channel, such that at least a portion of the length of the elongated member is removably housed in the channel.

Abstract: An earmuff includes: a casing; a baffle board; and an ear pad including an engagement member, the engagement member being an outwardly extended part of a skin member of the ear pad. The ear pad is fixed at a front of the baffle board with the engagement member constrained to an outer surface of either of the baffle board and the casing or both by a ring-shaped elastic member, and the ear pad fixed and the baffle board define a front air chamber.

Abstract: A soft flexible insulating ear cover is provided in the form of a pouch. The cover defines an open compartment for receiving an ear. The pouch has opposite superior and inferior sides. The pouch comprises a soft absorbent medial side and an insulating lateral side opposite the medial side. The medial side further includes an opening adapted to receive an ear. A seam defines a passage around the opening. A resilient tubular helix hanger (also referred to herein as an ear hook) is disposed in the superior side of the passage. A drawstring extends through the passage and through the tubular ear hook and is adapted to controllably close the opening. The interior lining is fusible fleece. The medial side fabric is terry cloth. The lateral side fabric is velvet. The dense pile of velvet provides superior thermal and audible insulation. A layer of quick dry foam batting is preferably provided between the fusible fleece and terry cloth, as well as between the fusible fleece and velvet.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing hearing protection to a wearer includes an incorporated set of eyewear having an eyewear frame. In one version, a pair of ear muffler tubes are coupled to the supporting members of the frame or made integral therewith, the muffler tubes each extending to the entrance of the ear canal of a person to reduce the level of ambient noise in the ear canal and includes at least one muffler tube of appropriate dimensions sufficient to isolate the ear canal from ambient air that substantially reduces the acoustic impedance at the entrance of the ear canal over a wide range of audible sound frequencies. A connecting tube for attachment to the ear canal is coupled to the ear muffler tube.

Abstract: The ear protection apparatus is provided as ear protection with various means of attachment to existing eyeglasses and also as ear protection including eyeglasses. Various embodiments provide multiple means for multiply adjustable positioning of the ear protection. Multiple plane adjustments are provided, with flex tubes with memory comprising a part of those adjustments. Refined earplug design provides for relaxed fit to a variety of ear sizes and shapes.

Abstract: A headpiece is provided for use in association with at least one hearing cap. The headpiece comprising a first portion, adapted to, when a user wears a hearing cap, be positioned between a sealing ring of the hearing cap and a portion of the user's head circumscribing an ear, and a second portion essentially circumscribed by the first portion, the first portion comprising a relatively air tight material forming a sealing ring in the headpiece, and the second portion being formed of one or more relatively air permeable materials allowing air to move between the ear and an inner volume of the hearing cap when the user wears the hearing cap.

Abstract: An outer covering for protecting an ear includes a water-resistant material forming a pouch for protecting an ear from moisture intrusion wherein the pouch has a curved opening disposed along an edge of the pouch for receiving the ear there into, thereby forming a kidney shape for the pouch when viewed from a side view, wherein the curved opening is capable of being stretched over the ear and returning to a substantially consistent dimension and shape and fitting around and adhering the pouch to the ear.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ear cap intended for use as hearing, the ear cap having a sound-reflecting outer shell and a liner of sound absorption materials. The ear cap is characterized by at least one sound-reflecting and vibration-damping weight element arranged on or within the sound absorption liner to at least partly block an audio mode of vibration that would have existed in the cap in the absence of the weight element.

Abstract: An earplug comprising a foam composition containing a polyvinyl chloride resin and less than about 5 wt % monomeric phthalate, based on the total weight of the foam composition, is described. The foam composition may include a plasticizer containing less than or equal to about 2 wt % monomeric phthalate, based on the total weight of the plasticizer. The earplugs have slow recovery times from 60 percent compression to 10 percent compression of about 10 to about 60 seconds.

Abstract: A hearing protection device for a human ear. The device has an arm that clips about the pinna. A plug member caps or enters ear canal. The device is biased to provide some force against the plug member so that is stays in position during use. An optional handle may be provided to assist with temporarily pulling the plug member away from the ear canal or providing adjustment. The device may be adapted for use as an ear phone.