Abstract: A headphone and method for allowing manually controlled reception of ambient sound by a user. More particularly, the invention relates to a headphone for listening to an audio signal while allowing varying amounts of ambient sound to the user. In one aspect, the headphone comprises a manually-controllable physical characteristic that controls the amount of ambient sound accessible to the user. The physical characteristic can be sound ports that can be opened or closed. In another aspect, the headphone can comprise a microphone receptive of ambient sound, wherein the user can control the proportion of sound that comes from the ambient sound or the audio signal. The microphone can be part of a noise cancellation system.

Abstract: A headphone unit including a back housing provided at the rear of a driver unit and a baffle portion provided at the front thereof. In the headphone apparatus, the baffle portion, which is formed to surround a space except a front opening portion of a driver unit, and/or the back housing portion, which is formed to cover the back surface of the driver unit, are formed using the air-permeable porous material.

Abstract: A headset includes an ear-cup having speaker means operable to output sound in first and second modes, the speaker means being appropriate for use as headphones in the first mode and for use as a loudspeaker in the second mode, a volume in the second mode being generally greater than that of the first mode when in use, and at least one vent for selectively allowing air to pass from inside the ear-cup to outside the ear-cup, in use.

Abstract: A headset has a hollow housing having a front wall with at least one sound hole formed thereon, and a rear wall facing the front wall having a plurality of air holes formed thereon. A loudspeaker unit is disposed in the housing and adjacent to the sound hole. An adjustive component is rotatably mounted to the rear wall of the housing. The adjustive component has an adjustive switch outside the rear wall and a blocking slice against an inner surface of the rear wall and connected with the adjustive switch. The adjustive switch is capable of controlling the blocking slice to swing and halt repetitiously, for altering the number of the covered air holes when the adjustive switch is driven to rotate.

Abstract: An earpiece (100) and a method (640) for acoustic management of multiple microphones is provided. The method can include capturing an ambient acoustic signal from an Ambient Sound Microphone (ASM) to produce an electronic ambient signal, capturing in an ear canal an internal sound from an Ear Canal Microphone (ECM) to produce an electronic internal signal, measuring a background noise signal, and mixing the electronic ambient signal with the electronic internal signal in a ratio dependent on the background noise signal to produce a mixed signal. The mixing can adjust an internal gain of the electronic internal signal and an external gain of the electronic ambient signal based on the background noise characteristics. The mixing can account for an acoustic attenuation level and an audio content level of the earpiece. Other embodiments are provided.

Abstract: A structure for earphones with multiple sound tracks, includes an earphone casing, at least one first speaker, a second speaker and an adjusting member. The earphone casing has a plurality of outer-sound holes on the outside portion thereof. The speakers are disposed in the earphone casing. The speakers face outwards. The adjusting member is disposed on the earphone casing. The adjusting member has a plurality of adjusting holes corresponding to the outer sound holes of the earphone casing so that the adjusting holes of the adjusting member and the outer sound holes of the earphone casing can be aligned or staggered to reduce the sound pressure and reduce the discomfort for a user, thereby reducing hearing damage and loss. Furthermore the device has the functions of earphones, a loud speaker, a sound box and an earphone device with multiple sound tracks.

Abstract: An earphone device having composite functions at least has an earphone shell body, a loudspeaker, and an adjustment component. Several outer sound holes are disposed on the outer side of the earphone shell body. The loudspeaker is fixed in the earphone shell body. The loudspeaker is arranged outwards. The adjustment component is disposed on the earphone shell body. There are several adjustment holes corresponding to the outer sound holes of the earphone shell body on the adjustment component. The adjustment holes of the adjustment component can be controlled to be opposite to or be staggered with the outer sound holes of the earphone shell body. The earphone device is comfortable for use and can reduce pathological changes in ear and hearing decay to keep the human body healthy. Moreover, the earphone device has the functions of earphone, sound amplifier, and sound box.

Abstract: A hearing enhancement system that enhances a user's hearing based on a directional speaker is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system can include an interface unit that has a directional speaker and a microphone. The microphone captures input audio signals that are transformed into ultrasonic signals. The speaker transmits the ultrasonic signals, which are transformed into output audio signals by interaction with air. At least a portion of the output audio signals are modified to enhance the hearing of the user. Based on the system, the user's ear remains free from any inserted objects and thus is free from annoying occlusion effects. Compared to existing hearing aids, the system is relatively inexpensive. In another embodiment, the system can also be used as a phone. In yet another embodiment, the system can also access audio signals from other portable or non-portable instruments, wired or wirelessly, such as from home entertainment units, phones, microphones at a conference or speakers at a movie theater.

Abstract: An acoustic earmuff device is provided comprising a rigid cup, including inner and outer surfaces, a sound channel means disposed through said cup shaped portion, and a plate means operatively associated with said sound channel means, such that when the plate means is in a first orientation, sound attenuation through the plate means is greater than when the plate means is in a second orientation.

Abstract: The present invention is a headphone or earmuff unit that has two main parts. The first main part is the stationary enclosure, which fits over the ear of the user. This part also has holes in it for the passage of exterior sound. The second main part is the movable enclosure, which fits over the holes of the stationary enclosure. Both enclosures are padded for sound suppression. The two enclosures are tied together by a screw mechanism with a knob. When the knob is turned the enclosures separate. This allows exterior sound to enter the stationary enclosure, and thus the ear of the user, in a controlled manner.

Abstract: An earplug type earphone without impulse noise and surroundings blockade includes an earphone housing having a sound chamber inside thereof and a loudspeaker mounted therein, wherein a plurality of sound outlet meshes is provided on the front end of the earphone housing. A proper distance is given between the front end of the earphone housing and the loudspeaker mounted therein. A plurality of sound inlet meshes is provided on and encircled the earphone housing within the proper distance. The lower impulse noise output end with respect to two output ends of the loudspeaker is arranged to face to the sound outlet meshes. Therefore, the earphone can prevent not only the impulse noise directly impact to the middle ear but also the damage of the middle ear and the cause of conductive hearing loss.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide an earphone without impulse noise and surroundings blockade consists of an earphone housing having a sound chamber inside thereof and a loudspeaker mounted therein, wherein a plurality of sound outlet meshes is mounted in the front end of the earphone housing, and a proper distance is given between the front end of the earphone housing and the loudspeaker mounted therein, wherein a plurality of sound inlet meshes is mounted on and encircled the earphone housing within the proper distance; and the lower impulse noise output end according to two output ends of the loudspeaker is faced to the sound outlet meshes; via the design, the present invention can prevent not only the impulse noise directly impact to the middle ear but also the damage of the middle ear and the cause of conductive hearing loss.

Abstract: A supra aural headphone including an earphone that includes a shell body, a cushion mounted on the shell to thereby define an internal cavity behind the cushion, and an acoustical driver mounted within the internal cavity to reproduce sound for the user when driven by an audio signal. The cushion has a passageway extending therethrough which acoustically connects the internal cavity with a user's ear cavity when the cushion is resting on the user's ear while being worn by the user. The internal cavity has a total volume that is larger than about 10 cubic centimeters, and the driver is mounted in such a way as to avoid obstructing the passageway.

Abstract: A transducer assembly for use with an apparatus comprising a sound transmitting earpiece comprises a sound transmitting element (1) adapted to be worn between such an earpiece and the ear, a sound transducer (3), to be located remote from the earpiece and a hollow tube (2) for acoustically coupling the sound transmitting element (1) to the transducer (3).

Abstract: The present invention is a headset having a microphone and a speaker mounted on an essentially deformable boom. The deformable boom provides a selectively deformable ear loop portion that is adjustable to custom fit individual forms of an auricle of a user. The speaker is located near the ear canal opening to allow the user to hear surrounding sound. Communication interface is located within the boom for transmitting a voice signal. A transceiver is provided to be located within the boom or separately.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an earpiece impulse and high frequency noise which consists of an earpiece housing and a loudspeaker mounted therein, wherein a plurality of sound outlet meshes is mounted on one surface of the earpiece housing; a resonant piece encircling the loudspeaker, and therein a proper side of the resonant piece affixing on the inner surface of the earpiece housing; the lower impulse noise output end according to two output ends of the loudspeaker facing to the sound outlet meshes of the earpiece housing; when the earpiece is used to listen music or hear voice, it can not only prevent impulse noise directly impact to the human ear but also provide a high clarity sound interval produced by the interference of the high and low intensive sound wave.

Abstract: A headphone apparatus comprising an acoustic unit for converting an audio signal to an acoustic sound, a supporting structure for supporting the acoustic unit keeping a predetermined distance to the ear of a listener and an acoustic equalizer provided in front of the acoustic unit for transferring the sound wave output from the acoustic equalizer to the ear of the listener after correcting the frequency characteristic thereof.

Abstract: A wearable speaker system which provides improved quality audio response and which does not interfere with the wearer's activities or block environmental sounds is disclosed. Transducer arrays, e.g. pairs of speakers, are situated in a wearable garment, headband, or the like and positioned on opposite sides of the wearer's head. In one embodiment, the transducer arrays share a common enclosure and are driven 180.degree. out of phase, so that back pressures cancel and low frequency response is enhanced. In another embodiment, two open-ended enclosures are provided, each with its own transducer array. In another embodiment, linear arrays of transducers are provided with appropriate time-delays between the audio signals. The speaker system is connected to or in communication with a conventional source of audio signals, such as a radio, tape player, CD player, cellular telephone or the like.

Abstract: A headphone in which a housing containing a drive unit is provided with a window hole formed therein and the window hole is covered with a diaphragm providing acoustic transmissibility therethrough.