Abstract: A method for forming a standardized faceplate for an individually adapted in-the-ear hearing aid shell which matches the physical characteristics of the hearing aid user's ear, and for fabricating an individually-adapted in-the-ear hearing aid shell made of radiation-reactive material and a battery compartment therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a concha style headset comprises a receiver attachment that couples to the body of the receiver of the headset, a flexible and resilient support member extending from the receiver attachment, and a concha stabilizer pad coupled to the end of the support member, such that the concha stabilizer pad contacts the upper concha under the antihelix of the ear with the receiver placed in the lower concha in front of the ear canal. The receiver attachment can include a foam ear cushion that covers the portion of the receiver that is placed in the lower concha, with the concha stabilizer pad and the flexible support member formed of a compressed cellular foam. Support ribs extend from the upper surface of the ear cushion along the surface of the support member and join the concha stabilizer pad.

Abstract: A device for providing a seal between a sound-blocking or sound-transmitting device, especially an "in the ear" hearing aid, and the ear canal into which it is inserted. This device comprises a layer of polymeric foam, especially retarded recovery foam, that is applied to at least a portion of the canal-contacting surface of the hearing aid. A normally tacky and pressure-sensitive adhesive bonds the foam to the hearing aid, thereby rendering the device easily removable and replaceable by the user. In a preferred embodiment the hearing aid is sealed to the bony portion of the ear canal.

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: Earmolds for holding communications devices within the ear in a secure and comfortable manner. The earmolds are designed to minimize protrusion into the ear canal, while providing security by extending the helix of the earmold to fit under the crux of the ear's helix. These earmolds are also designed to avoid a seal in the ear canal, thereby reducing discomfort, improving wearer's ability to localize sounds. These earmolds are designed to fit the majority of people with the minimum number of required sizes. With this design, communications devices can be worn within the ear in a comfortable, safe, secure manner.

Abstract: For retention and sound-damping sealing of members introducible into the auditory canal, such as hearing aid housings, otoplastics or ear adapters, an annularly fashioned seal and retainer element can be plugged onto the member and when the member is inserted into the auditory canal, the retainer element fits itself against the walls of the auditory canal and seals the annular gap between the outside contour of the member and the auditory canal in sound-damping fashion.

Abstract: A construction helmet is disclosed having a housing detachably mounted thereon which supports a ratcheted take-up reel having a pair of ear plugs attached to a hub by flexible cords wound about the hub. The reel is rotatably carried on the housing and a manually operable plunger releases the reel for automatic withdrawal of the ear plugs into a storage receptacle on the housing. Strain relief elements are attached to each cord and the receptacle includes shoulder straps engageable with the strain relief elements. The plunger is releasably connected to ratchet teeth carried on the reel hub.

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: 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: A stethoscope having a binaural with dual sound-transmitting tubes adapted to deliver sound to a human ear, with each tube having an ear tip connection end having a plurality of flanges thereon. Removably attached to the described tubes are a pair of ear tips formed of a non-porous elastomeric material having a channel therein having a plurality of molded-in recesses adapted to engage the flanges in complementary fashion.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an in-the-ear hearing aid (25), a mould (23) is made of an ear canal for use as a moulding die for making a housing of the hearing aid. After the mould is made an auxiliary tool made up of a flexible tube (11) with a flange at one end is inserted into the ear canal into the proximity of the tympanic membrane of the ear. Subsequently, a curable material (19) is introduced into the ear canal. The material presses the flange against the tympanic membrane, which precludes the ingress of material between the flange and the tympanic membrane. After the material has cured the mould with the tube and the flange is removed from the ear canal. During removal of the mould the space between the tympanic membrane and the mould is in communication with the outer air via the tube, so that no partial vacuum is produced which otherwise might damage the tympanic membrane. The mould obtained is used as a moulding die for making a custom made in-the-ear hearing aid.

Abstract: A readily installed and replaced disposable wax guard that is affixed over the sound outlet port of an "in the ear" hearing aid and adhered to the adjacent sides of the aid. The portion that overlies the sound outlet port is porous to sound and receptive to cerumen.

Abstract: A one of a pair earplug that has a hole through the center of it. When it is placed into a person's ear canal it enables them to hear sound from an outside source. It would be made from a material comparable to plastic. A valve in a small housing attached to the earplug is placed into their ear and ear canal to fit comfortably. The earplug, valve, and valve housing in the ear would work together to protect the wearer from loud noises only when needed and when the valve is activated to close by the wearer moving the valve fingerlatch. In the reverse when a person wanted to hear better they would manually regulate the earplug, opening the mechanical valve with the valve latch. The earplug openings would let the user hear through the hole in the earplug and valve body housing without removing the earplug. The person would then avoid losing the earplug, getting it soiled, etc. by taking it out of the ear to hear.

Abstract: A waterproof earmold-to-earphone adapter is provided for use in conjunction with an earmold. The earmold has a passageway extending transversely therethrough to allow sound to pass through the earmold, and the adapter has a hollow, elongated stem which slides into and frictionally engages the passageway in the earmold. The adapter has a resilient, cylindrical holder carried by the stem, the holder being adapted to receive a waterproof earphone whereby sound from the earphone passes through the hollow stem directly into the user's auditory canal. The passageway of the hollow stem is of small enough diameter and great enough length to prevent water passing through, but allows air and sound to pass through.

Abstract: An earpiece for insertion in an ear canal as a part of an earphone, an ear mounted microphone, an earphone/microphone combination or the like. The earpiece comprises a body part suitable for housing an earphone transducer and/or a solid vibration pickup, and a canal insert joined to the body part. Having a generally elongate shape, the canal insert has a rear portion joined directly to the body part, a front portion away from the body part, and a midportion through which the rear and the front portions are joined together. The front portion and midportion of the canal insert have their cross sectional dimensions determined in a predefined relationship to fit as closely as feasible in the ear canals of a majority of people. The earpiece may be provided with a stabilizer, as in the form of a contact piece or pieces projecting laterally therefrom, for greater stability against dislodgement from the ear canal or rotational displacement therein.

Abstract: A band earplug apparatus is described, of the type which includes a pair of earplug devices (20, 22) lying on the ends of a band (12) that fits halfway about a person's head, which avoids soiling of the earplug devices when the band is laid on a dirty surface. The band is designed so its middle portion (24) rests stably on a horizontal surface (5), and with the end portions then extending at an incline (A) away from the horizontal surface to hold the ends (14, 16) of the band and the earplug devices (20, 22) thereon spaced from the horizontal surface.

Abstract: A earwax trap used with hearing-aid apparatus comprises a) in a first part (6) a space (8) adapted to communicate acoustically an interior part of the hearing-aid apparatus with the external auditory meatus of the user's ear, and b) an arrangement for preventing earwax having entered the space (8) from leaving same towards the interior part (3). The latter arrangement comprises at least one piston- or plug-shaped member (7), which is adapted by relative movement between itself and the first part (6) containing the space (8) to enter that space (8) in a first direction away from the interior part of the hearing-aid apparatus, and to leave the space (8) in the opposite direction and thus re-establish the acoustic connection between the interior part and the space (8).

Abstract: An ear tip for use on stethoscopes, audio head sets and similar apparatus is shown having a relatively rigid inner body and an outer flexible soft body that can compress to accommodate outer ear canal configurations in comfort and efficient sealing contact without hinging or folding over so as to restrict sound transmission therethrough. A tubular guiding ferrule configuration insures proper alignment and maintenance of sound transmission efficiency with user comfort.

Abstract: A bone conduction microphone which fits into the ear of the user and which has means which abuts against the pinna of the ear causing a counteracting force to resiliently push the device against a wall of the ear canal nearest the back of the head, where bone conducted vibrations are detected most efficiently.

Abstract: A wax guard system, for use with an in-the-ear hearing aid, has a housing secured to the hearing aid shell and an insert which screws into the housing. The insert has a body having an internal passage therethrough, and a bridge extending across the exterior opening of the passage. The bridge is higher at its centre than at its ends and carries a thin domed disk which shields the opening and deters wax from entering the passage.

Abstract: An immersion-resistant housing adapted to receive a vibratable diaphragm spanning the interior of the housing to divide the housing into first and second chambers includes a first port communicating between the first chamber and the exterior environment. The first port is configured as a tubulation. A second port communicates between the second chamber and the external environment. The tubulation has sufficiently small diameter that water entering therein moves essentially as a piston without breakup. The tubulation is configured to have a volume at least equal to that of the first chamber, and a hydrostatic head of about 32 feet of water is necessary before water can be forced into the first chamber. In the preferred embodiment the diaphragm completely seals the housing against direct communication between the two chambers.

Abstract: An earpiece has a structural configuration effective to removably interlock its outer surface contiguously to the outer ear auricle of the earpiece wearer. A microphone substantially exclusively receives, from the air of the external auditory canal, outbound voice sounds caused by the reverse modulation of the tympanic membrane when the earpiece wearer speaks. An outbound audio circuit is electrically connected to the microphone which converts the outbound voice sounds to electrical voice signals. The outbound audio circuit amplifies the outbound electrical voice signals to a preselected fixed level output gain and removes noise from the voice signals.

Abstract: An earmold and a method of manufacturing an earmold for a hearing aid that conveys amplified sound from the hearing aid into the ear canal to a closed cavity adjacent the tympanic membrane. The earmold includes an acoustic conduction tube having an external diameter smaller than the ear canal and a flexible flanged tip that exerts negligible pressure on the wall of the canal. One end of the tube is held in place in the canal by the flanged tip. The opposite end of the tube may be positioned in the ear aperture by a fitting in the ear concha that may be integral with the tube. The hearing aid and the earmold leave the canal open preferably to a point past the canal isthmus.

Abstract: A hearing aid in which selected frequency components of sound being vented from the ear canal of the user of the hearing aid to eliminate the "occlusion effect" are conducted to an acoustically isolated cavity to eliminate, or greatly reduce, feedback in the hearing aid.

Abstract: An improved hearing aid that reduces occlusion caused by the accumulation of ear wax includes a hearing aid body, an amplifier disposed within the hearing aid body, and an ear canal body adapted for insertion in the auditory canal of a human ear. The ear canal body has a deep transverse groove about 1 mm to 5 mm in width to form a cavity that is accessible to clear ear wax buildup in the cavity. A first passageway from the amplifier to one side of the cavity provides a conduit for sound to travel from the amplifier to the cavity. An end portion of the ear canal body forms a plow to divert ear wax as it is inserted into the auditory canal. The plow portion is of a cross sectional area substantially equal to the auditory canal. The plow portion has a second passageway that joins the cavity and the end of the ear canal body closest the ear drum. The second passageway is larger in diameter than the first passageway and its central axis is offset from the central axis of the first passageway.

Abstract: A novel earplug comprising a stack of thin flexible plastic discs bonded together about a central hole and loose at the edges is formed with a central core or plug forming a nose or bumper and a handle tail. The configuration described permits easy insertion and removal from the ear and the multiple disc structure forms a barrier to the entry of acoustic noise into the ear canal.

Abstract: A positive ear mold is processed to the desired size, equipped with a core in the proximal region, dipped in wax and placed in a container in which casting material for a negative form is filled. After the ear mold has been taken out and the core has been removed, a flexible sliver is drawn into the negative form. The sliver is laid out along the inner wall of the negative form prior to casting, and subsequently, the material for the housing shell is filled into the negative form. After a brief polymerization time, the excess material is emptied out and after it has hardened, the housing shell is removed from the negative form. By pulling a sliver insert out of the channel molded in the housing shell, one obtains a housing shell having a vent molded therein.

Abstract: An earplug uses damping to render unimportant a Helmholtz resonance between the acoustic mass intrinsic to a sound channel thereof and the compliance of air in the earcanal, in combination with a readily manufacturable external structure coupled to the sound channel to increase response characteristics at higher frequencies in a predictable and well controlled manner in order to provide a highly desireable uniform frequency response.

Abstract: A cerumen trap for hearing aids comprises a sound channel and a plurality of perforations arranged in a stellate pattern around the sound channel which connect the sound outlet of an earpiece with the sound channel. A cylindrical component (1) with a connecting piece (3) which surrounds the sound channel can be inserted in the hearing aid. A number of angle brackets (4) with locking detents (5) are arranged on the periphery of the component (1). The sound outlet opening (2) can be closed off from the exterior by a cap (7) which has a locking groove (8) on the inner wall and which engages with the locking detents (5).

Abstract: Hearing aids, particularly hearing aids of the type embodying an ear-fitted housing having an interior receiver at the receiver tube leading from the interior receiver to the exterior of the housing. Particularly, a wax guard in the form of a coil of wire which is interference-fitted within the receiver to provide a restrictive path for ear wax and, thus protect the receiver.

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: The invention concerns a hearing device for a protective helmet with a receiving deice for auditory signals, that at the very least are deliverable from the earphones arranged on the inner surface of the protective helmet. The invention has as its basic function to reduce the volume of the helmet contruction and the weight of the hearing device in relation to the usual construction, and to make the positioning of the earphones on the ears of the helmet wearer unnecessary. The purpose will be met in that the earphones in the outer auditory canal of the helmet wearer will be developed as importable earplugs. The auditory signals that are supplied by a receiving device consisting of a receiver and a coupled transmitter will be transmitted from the transmitter of the receiving device over a wireless transmission line that is integrated into the earplug-receiver of the earplug.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing distortion of an acoustical waveform by locating a plurality of microspheres to interact with interfering acoustical waveforms are described.

Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer apparatus of a type that it is inserted into a cavum concha upon use. The electroacoustic transducer apparatus of the invention is applied to a headphone of a so-called in-the-eart type or so-called inner-ear type. This headphone is provided with an air passage portion formed through an elastic ring member attached to the outer peripheral portion of the housing so as to communicate the inside and outside portions of a concave portion of the cavum concha upon use. Accordingly, a certain amount of sound escapes to the outside, thereby obtaining the acoustic characteristics of substantially the same level from a low band to a high band regardless of the size of the user's ears.

Abstract: An ear plug assembly (28) for behind the ear hearing aids. The ear plug assembly (28) comprises a hollow substantially conical shell (32) having two annular ridges (42, 44) in its smaller open end (34). A hollow tube (26) connects the electronics package (20) to the smaller end (34) of the shell (32) and conveys the sound into the ear canal. One end of the tube (26) has a fitting or endpiece (50) in it with a flange (52) that is seated between the ridges thus securing the tube (26) in the shell. A slidable nut (38) and a spring (40) are mounted on the tube (26) such that the nut can be slid toward the endpiece (50) thus compressing the spring (40) and providing rigidity. The compressed spring (40) transmits a force applied to the nut (38) to act upon the endpiece (50) and the ridge (44) of the shell (32). This force tends to stretch the shell (32), reducing its diameter so that easier and deeper insertion into the ear canal can be achieved.

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: Disposably attached to the ear piece of a hearing aid, which includes any sound transmission device, is a user-disposable sleeve comprising soft polymeric retarded recovery foam that can be compressed to be freely insertable into a person's ear and allowed to recover to become wedged in the canal. Preferably, the sleeve is disposably attached to the ear piece by mating of screw threads on the sleeve and the ear piece. The ear piece may be a separate component from the hearing aid. The component is made either of rigid or flexible plastic and has connecting portions of various lengths depending on the depth of insertion of the sleeve into the canal. The sleeve may be of various lengths depending on the depth of insertion into the ear canal desired. The sleeve/ear piece assembly may also have a layer of sound transmitting scrim over its central opening to minimize penetration of the connecting portion past the end of the sleeve.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic transducer includes a housing enclosing an electro-acoustic transducer device and having an opening by which the diaphragm side of the transducer device is exposed to the outside, and a ring provided to the outer surface of the perimeter of the opening. The outer perimeter of the ring is adapted to be softer and more pliable than the housing.

Abstract: The present invention proves an elbow shaped connector for connecting flexible sound conduction tubing from a hearing aid to a conventional earmold. The sound bore of the connector has an increasing diameter to improve high frequency response. This increase in diameter may be gradual, over the length of the connector, or it may occur abruptly at some point within the connector.

Abstract: The earplug inserted in the auditory canal is so designed that its inside end facing the tympanic membrane makes close contact with the surrounding hard bone structure, and its external end at the aperture of the auditory canal makes close contact with the surrounding tissue. The earplug has a head for connection with a communication system. A central channel conveys sound to the tympanic membrane. The mid-section of the earplug is furnished with a circumferential recess for receiving sound waves from the user's own voice through the surrounding soft tissue: and channels convey these sound waves to a microphone built into the earplug head.

Abstract: The casing of a hearing aid can be acoustically dampened and its receiver is less likely to amplify noise stemming from vibrations of the casing when the casing is lined with a viscoelastic material. The viscoelastic lining can be applied by laying a viscoelastic layer across the rim of the casing and drawing a vacuum at the sound-communicating orifice of the casing until the viscoelastic is drawn tightly against the interior of the casing. A preferred viscoelastic layer has at one surface a substance such as fibers or beads that will form temporary bridges to permit an air to be evacuated between the viscoelastic layer and a casing to which it is applied. When the deposited viscoelastic is tacky at room temperature, the components of the hearing aid can be positioned simply by pressing them into the viscoelastic material, thus making the assembly easier than prior methods of assembling tiny hearing aids.

Abstract: In an arrangement to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter into a transducer which extends with a projection provided with an opening into a sound channel of a hearing aid, a reduced need for space as well as simpler construction, compared with the state of the art, are achieved by means of the following characterizing features: A membrane made of pore-free material is provided, which has at least one bore for the passage of sound of from a few hundredths to a few tenths of a millimeter diameter, and in which the wall thickness of the membrane is small with respect to the diameter of the bore.

Abstract: An earwax-protective device having a yoke joined with an auditory passage portion of a hearing aid which makes it possible to easily remove accumulations of earwax without damaging sensitive electrical components in the hearing aid.

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: An in-the-ear hearing aid comprises a first unit (1), which unit comprises a microphone (3), an amplifier (4), controller (6) for adjusting a parameter of the hearing aid, and a battery compartment (5), and a second unit (2) comprising a receiver. The first unit (1) is accommodated in a first space situated at the end of comparatively large cross-section of an earmould (11). The second unit (2) is accommodated in a second space (9) situated at the end (13) of smaller cross-section. The earmold has a cap element (14) which allows for insertion of the second unit (2) into the second space (9) from the end (13) of smaller cross-section.

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: In a hearing aid of the type including a battery containing housing normally supported rearwardly of the ear auricle by an elongated hook joining one end of the housing to an ear opening contained ear molding, an elongated tube is secured, at it respective ends, with resilient bands which surround respective end portions of the hearing aid housing and in combination with the hearing aid housing, forms an endless configuration which surrounds the ear auricle at its juncture with the head and positions the hearing aid housing rearwardly of the ear auricle and maintains it in this position by the strand fitting snugly adjacent the user's head and forwardly of the tragus.

Abstract: Detachably secured to the ear piece of a hearing aid is a user-disposable sleeve comprising soft polymeric retarded recovery foam that can be compressed to be freely insertable into a person's ear canal and then allowed to recover to become wedged in the canal. The sleeve preferably includes a flexible, elongated plastic duct over which the foam fits, and the duct is formed with a screw thread of a rigid plastic which mates with a screw thread on the ear piece for easy attachment and removal. The external surface of the foam preferably is substantially cylindrical and can be formed with flutes to provide venting of the user's ear.

Abstract: An integrally formed earmold is provided which supports a headset or stethoscope, for example, without requiring either a headband or arms extending into the ear canal. The earmold is formed from a soft, flexible elastic plastic and has an inwardly extending conical portion adapted to fit into the concha and outer portion of the auditory canal, terminating in a rectangular knob with a small flange thereon, the knob sealing off the meatus of the external ear canal without substantially penetrating the external ear canal. A hollow cylinder extends laterally from the knob a sufficient distance to form a support for a headset or the like. The earmold is sufficiently flexible that standard sizes will fit the general population, without requiring molds formed for particular users.

Abstract: A generally tubular cylinder of resilient material such as a silicon rubber, for mounting over a hearing aid, or ear plug, so as to provide two gaskets which seal the hearing aid, or ear plug, against the skin of the ear canal and stabilize it against movement in the ear canal thereby suppressing acoustical feedback. The cylinder is further shaped to provide a tab which extends to the exterior of the ear canal so that it can be easily grasped by the user to remove the hearing aid.One of the ends (or gaskets) of the hearing aid harness may be lengthened to extend beyond and away from that end of the hearing aid which houses the speaker.