Abstract: An improved ear tip for earphones and hearing protection is provided where comfort and occlusion of the ear are of most importance. The ear tip comprises an elastomer polymer resin material molded to form the material to the shape of the ear canal. A chamber is defined having a proximal and distal end, the distal end engages the acoustic exit of the transducer, sound source or sound attenuator and the proximal end of the bore is adapted to be disposed adjacent an eardrum. The inner body attaches to a nozzle, or audio playback orifice to naturally transition the acoustics from the transducer or sound attenuator to the eardrum via the ear canal. The ear tip can have a plurality of flexible annular flanges disposed at spaced intervals of the body with decreasing circumference as the flanges transition to the proximal end. Each flange tapers in a radius or curvilinear geometry as it progresses to the end of the object.

Abstract: An earplug and a method of manufacturing the earplug are provided, the earplug including a sound attenuating element and a stem where the sound attenuating element includes a flange which extends rearwardly over a portion of the stem, and where the sound attenuating element and the stem are integrally formed of a resilient compressible material.

Abstract: An improved ear tip for earphones and hearing protection is provided where comfort and occlusion of the ear are of most importance. The ear tip comprises an elastomer polymer resin material molded to form the material to the shape of the ear canal. A chamber is defined having a proximal and distal end, the distal end engages the acoustic exit of the transducer, sound source or sound attenuator and the proximal end of the bore is adapted to be disposed adjacent an eardrum. The inner body attaches to a nozzle, or audio playback orifice to naturally transition the acoustics from the transducer or sound attenuator to the eardrum via the ear canal. The ear tip can have a plurality of flexible annular flanges disposed at spaced intervals of the body with decreasing circumference as the flanges transition to the proximal end. Each flange tapers in a radius or curvilinear geometry as it progresses to the end of the object.

Abstract: An earplug of the type that has a stem (12) and a plurality of flanges (21–23), is constructed to be stiff enough to be easily inserted into the ear canal, and to thereafter press with minimal force against the walls of the ear canal for comfort. The earplug is molded of an elastomeric material whose stiffness decreases considerably, such as at least 4%, when it is warmed from room temperature (about 72° F.) to ear canal temperature (about 100° F.). Each flange has a radially inner portion (52) that extends straight at an angle (B) that is within 15° of a radial direction (62) (a direction perpendicular to the stem axis), and has a radially outer portion (54) that extends straight and at an angle (C) that is within 20° of an axial direction (66).

Abstract: A flexible device having a flexible cup for attachment to a hearing aid housing for insertion in an ear canal of a user. The flexible cup includes an opening for securely accommodating a hearing aid housing upon insertion of the housing in the opening. The flexible cup also includes a plurality of spiral shaped ribs on an inner surface of the cup.

Abstract: An earplug is provided for use by an airplane passenger, which more slowly increases the pressure of air in the passenger's ear canal than the rate of increase in cabin air pressure as the airplane descends near the end of a flight. The earplug has a cavity (30) that is open to the front end (20) of the earplug, and with a restrictor (24) at the front end of the cavity that allows air to pass between the cavity and ear canal, and the cavity to collapse, only at a very slow rate. As the environmental air pressure increases near the end of a flight, the earplug is slowly compressed in diameter and compresses the cavity.

Abstract: An earphone having a drive unit (22) carried by an earphone shell (20) and covered by an ear cushion (24) of auxetic foam.

Abstract: A self-cleaning cerumen guard includes a thermally activated element. The cerumen guard is mounted on the distal end of a hearing device adjacent to a sound port. The thermally activated element is oriented in a manner which causes it to retract when heated to a first temperature range and extend when cooled to a second temperature range, such that, upon removal of the hearing device from an ear canal, the self-cleaning cerumen guard will automatically remove any accumulated debris from the sound port.

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 self-cleaning cerumen guard includes a thermally activated element. The cerumen guard is mounted on the distal end of a hearing device adjacent to a sound port. The thermally activated element is oriented in a manner which causes it to retract when heated to a first temperature range and extend when cooled to a second temperature range, such that, upon removal of the hearing device from an ear canal, the self-cleaning cerumen guard will automatically remove any accumulated debris from the sound port.

Abstract: A device to be worn in the ear of a subject provides a direct vibrational drive to the tympanic membrane through a vibrationally conductive assembly which couples vibrations from a vibratory transducer positioned within the ear canal proximal to the tympanic membrane. In one embodiment of the invention, the device is a hearing aid positioned inconspicuously deep within the ear canal. The vibrationally conductive assembly is removably attached to the umbo area of the tympanic membrane. The vibrationally conductive assembly is designed to conduct vibrations in the audible frequency range while absorbing static forces caused by device placement and ear canal movement attributable to jaw movements of the wearer, including speaking, eating, drinking, chewing, yawning, and so forth.

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: Synthetic anatomical members, such as a tympanic membrane and a malleus, are illustrated and a method for making them is disclosed. In accordance with the method, prepared collagenous tissue is placed in a mold and immersed in, or sprayed with, a buffered formaldehyde or functionally similar preservative. After removal from the mold, the tissue retains the shape assumed in the mold. Provisions are made for attaching other anatomical members, such as bone, to the tissue for use in, for example, en bloc reconstruction of an eardrum and ossicles.