Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080245372 | REUSABLE FOAM EAR INSERT - A reusable foam ear insert is disclosed. The ear insert can comprise a foam body and a non-foam covering. The foam body can, for example, comprise foam rubber. The covering can, for example, comprise vinyl. The body is configured to be at least partially received within the ear canal and can be generally bullet shaped. The combination of the body and the covering can provide hearing protection. An optional bore can facilitate use in communications. The covering is resistant to soiling and is easily cleaned, thus facilitating reuse of the ear insert. | 10-09-2008 |
20080247561 | VARIABLE FIT EAR INSERT - An ear insert for protecting the ear from loud noise can have a stem that is configured to be inserted into an ear canal. One or more attachments can be configured to attach to the stem in a manner that at least partially defines a fit of the ear insert within an ear canal. For example, rubber o-rings can be can be selected according to their size so as to provide a desirable fit of the insert within the ear canal. In this manner, the undesirable leakage of ambient noise into the ear canal is mitigated and hearing protection is enhanced. | 10-09-2008 |
20080253605 | MULTIPLE INPUT ACOUSTIC COUPLER - A method and system for enhancing communications, such as those involving a two-way radio, are disclosed. More particularly, an acoustic coupler can comprise an output port configured to attach to an earpiece and a plurality of input ports in acoustic communication with the output port. Each of the input ports can facilitate communication from a different audio device to the user. For example, one input port can receive voice communications from a two-way radio, another input port can receive voice communications from a cellular telephone, and another input port can receive music from a music player. In this manner, a user can listen to multiple audio devices without reconfiguring an earpiece that is used for such listening. | 10-16-2008 |
20090052709 | HEARING AID SLEEVE - Systems and methods are disclosed for enhancing the performance of hearing aids and the like. For example, a sleeve for a hearing aid can include a layer of resilient material that is configured to cover that portion of the hearing aid that is inserted into the ear canal. The sleeve cushions sensitive tissues of the ear canal from contact with the hard plastic housing of the hearing aid. The sleeve also inhibits undesirable leakage of sound around the hearing aid. Thus, both comfort and effectiveness of a hearing aid or the like are enhanced. | 02-26-2009 |
20090052710 | HEARING AID EXTENSION - Systems and methods are disclosed for enhancing the performance of hearing aids and the like. For example, an extension for a hearing aid can include a stem having one or more flanges formed thereon. The flanges can be configured to enhance the fit of the hearing aid in the ear canal. The extension can cushion sensitive tissues of the ear canal from contact with the hard plastic inner end of the hearing aid. The extension also inhibits undesirable leakage of sound around the hearing aid. Thus, both comfort and effectiveness of a hearing aid or the like are enhanced. | 02-26-2009 |
20090095767 | CUSTOM EARPIECE - A system for making custom earpieces is disclosed. The system can include a two-component dispensing container such as a two-component syringe or a two-component squeeze bulb. The two components stored in the two-component dispensing container are kept separate until they are dispensed. The two components can be dispensed into a balloon disposed within the ear canal of a user. The two components can define an earpiece after they are dispensed into the balloon. A mixer mixes the two components as they are dispensed. The balloon can be attached to the two-component dispensing container such that two components enter the balloon after the two components are mixed. In this manner, a more comfortable and effective custom earpiece can be made more safely and more conveniently. | 04-16-2009 |
20090141923 | EARPIECE WITH ATTACHED SPEAKER - An earpiece assembly for use with two-way radios and the like is disclosed. The earpiece assembly can include an earpiece and a speaker attached to the earpiece. Optionally, an insert such as a flanged insert can extend from the earpiece. The insert can be configured to be disposed within the ear canal. The earpiece and flange can be formed of a flexible and resilient material such as silicon rubber. Optionally, a microphone can also be attached to the earpiece. A housing can contain the microphone and/or speaker. By attaching the microphone and/or speaker to the earpiece, the use of acoustic tubing can be avoided. | 06-04-2009 |
20100326764 | Ergonomic Earpiece - An earpiece that substantially lacks a lower lobe is disclosed. The earpiece has a generally arcuate rib having upper and lower ends. A generally vertical rib extends substantially between the upper and lower ends of the generally arcuate rib. A lobe is formed at the upper end of the arcuate rib. No lobe is similarly formed at the lower end of the arcuate rib. Eliminating the lower lobe mitigates discomfort during use and also reduces the likelihood of tissue damage and infection. | 12-30-2010 |
20120057739 | ERGONOMIC EARPIECE AND ATTACHMENTS - An earpiece that substantially lacks a lower lobe is disclosed. In one example, the earpiece can have a generally arcuate rib having upper and lower ends. A lobe can be formed at the upper end of the arcuate rib. No lobe is formed at the lower end of the arcuate rib. An extension can extend from the earpiece and can be configured to extend into the ear canal. Eliminating the lower lobe mitigates discomfort during use and also reduces the likelihood of tissue damage and infection. The extension can enhance communication of desired sound, e.g., from a two-way radio, to an eardrum while mitigating communication of undesirable ambient noise to the eardrum. Other implementations and related methods are also disclosed. | 03-08-2012 |
20120064845 | CABLE ASSEMBLY WITH EARPIECE - A cable assembly for electronic devices such as cellular telephones and music devices is disclosed. The cable assembly can comprise either one or two earpieces, each of which is configured to be received into the concha of a user's ear. The earpiece(s) can be configured so as to be held in place by at least one anatomical structure of the concha. A speaker can be in acoustic communication with each earpiece. A cable can be configured to communicate a signal representative of sound from the electronic device to each earpiece. A microphone can be permanently attached or removably attachable to the cable to facilitate use with a cellular telephone. The cable assembly can facilitate hands free operation of a cellular telephone and can facilitate listening to a music device. Other implementations and related methods are also disclosed. | 03-15-2012 |
20140105442 | ERGONOMIC EARPIECE AND ATTACHMENTS - An earpiece that substantially lacks a lower lobe is disclosed. In one example, the earpiece can have a generally arcuate rib having upper and lower ends. A lobe can be formed at the upper end of the arcuate rib. No lobe is formed at the lower end of the arcuate rib. An extension can extend from the earpiece and can be configured to extend into the ear canal. Eliminating the lower lobe mitigates discomfort during use and also reduces the likelihood of tissue damage and infection. The extension can enhance communication of desired sound, e.g., from a two-way radio, to an eardrum while mitigating communication of undesirable ambient noise to the eardrum. Other implementations and related methods are also disclosed. | 04-17-2014 |
20140106825 | CABLE ASSEMBLY WITH EARPIECE - A cable assembly for electronic devices such as cellular telephones and music devices is disclosed. The cable assembly can comprise either one or two earpieces, each of which is configured to be received into the concha of a user's ear. The earpiece(s) can be configured so as to be held in place by at least one anatomical structure of the concha. A speaker can be in acoustic communication with each earpiece. A cable can be configured to communicate a signal representative of sound from the electronic device to each earpiece. A microphone can be permanently attached or removably attachable to the cable to facilitate use with a cellular telephone. The cable assembly can facilitate hands free operation of a cellular telephone and can facilitate listening to a music device. Other implementations and related methods are also disclosed. | 04-17-2014 |
20140254842 | Situational Hearing Enhancement and Protection - System and methods can provide both hearing enhancement and hearing protection. An audiogram can be determined for either an individual person or a group of people. A frequency spectrum of an environment can be determined for an environment within which hearing enhancement and/or hearing protection is needed. The audiogram and the frequency spectrum of the environment can be used to modify an electronic signal to attenuate noise and to amplify information. The information can be voice, sirens, bells, or anything else that the user desires to hear. | 09-11-2014 |
20150043767 | ERGONOMIC EARPIECE - An earpiece that substantially lacks a lower lobe is disclosed. The earpiece has a generally arcuate rib having upper and lower ends. A generally vertical rib extends substantially between the upper and lower ends of the generally arcuate rib. A lobe is formed at the upper end of the arcuate rib. No lobe is similarly formed at the lower end of the arcuate rib. Eliminating the lower lobe mitigates discomfort during use and also reduces the likelihood of tissue damage and infection. | 02-12-2015 |