Device for protecting the human sensory hearing system while retaining quality sound

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a cost-effective earplug device that delivers minimally distorted sound, offers sound protection, can fit most users, and can protect human hearing from dangerously-high acoustic levels without the cost or inconvenience of a custom earplug.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for attenuating a sound entering an ear of a subject, the device comprising:
 a) a first portion, wherein the first portion comprises:
 i) a sound inlet; 
 ii) a face that faces an ear canal of the subject; and 
 iii) a face that faces away from the ear canal of the subject, 
   
       wherein the first portion is configured to be situated in a concha of the ear of the subject, and the sound inlet is positioned to face away from the ear canal of the subject when the device is inserted in the concha of the ear of the subject, wherein the first portion comprises a tab that curves away from the ear canal of the subject when the device is inserted in the concha of the ear of the subject;
 b) a hollow tube, wherein the hollow tube is attached to the face of the first portion that faces the ear canal of the subject, wherein the hollow tube is positioned to protrude into the ear canal of the subject when the device is inserted in the concha of the ear of the subject; 
 c) a first seal, wherein the first seal has a body that has a wide end and a narrow end, and the body of the first seal tapers in size from the wide end to the narrow end, wherein the first seal contains an aperture that is about circular through which the hollow tube protrudes, and wherein the first seal fits over the hollow tube at a point that is proximal to the face of the first portion that faces the ear canal, wherein the first seal is situated at about the opening of the ear canal of the subject when the device is inserted in the concha in the ear of the subject; and 
 d) a second seal, wherein the second seal fits over the hollow tube at a point that is more distal from the first portion than the point at which the first seal fits over the hollow tube, wherein the second seal comprises an open terminus that is situated inside of the ear canal of the subject when the device is inserted in the concha of the ear of the subject,
 wherein the hollow tube is flexible and is positioned to fit inside the ear canal of the subject, and the hollow tube houses a sound bore, and 
 wherein the sound bore, the sound inlet, and the open terminus together form a continuous passage that carries sound from outside the ear to inside the ear when the device is inserted in the concha of the ear of the subject. 
 
 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a sound attenuating filter, wherein the sound attenuating filter is situated in the hollow tube at a point that is more proximal to the second seal than to the first seal. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow tube is connected to the face of the first portion that faces the ear canal of the subject at an angle of at least 45 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow tube is connected to the face of the first portion that faces the ear canal of the subject at an angle that is within 25 degrees of perpendicularity to the face of the first portion that faces the ear canal of the subject. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second seal has a body that has a wide end a narrow end, the body of the second seal tapers in size from the wide end to the narrow end, and the open terminus is at the narrow end. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the second seal has a rim at the open terminus, wherein a diameter of the rim is not parallel to the face of the first portion that faces the ear canal of the subject. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the device further comprises a third seal, wherein the third seal has a body that has a wide end and a narrow end, and the body of the third seal tapers in size from the wide end to the narrow end, wherein the wide end of the body of the third seal is attached over the narrow end of the body of the first seal, and wherein the wide end of the body of the second seal is attached over the narrow end of the body of the third seal. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first seal has a greatest diameter that is larger than the greatest diameter of the second seal. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first seal has a hardness that is greater than that of the second seal. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first seal has a density that is greater than that of the second seal. 
     
     
         11 . A method of attenuating a sound entering an ear of a subject, the method comprising inserting into the ear of the subject a device, the device comprising:
 a) a first portion, wherein the first portion comprises:
 i) a sound inlet; 
 ii) a face that faces an ear canal of the subject; and 
 iii) a face that faces away from the ear canal of the subject, 
   
       wherein the first portion is inserted in a concha of the ear of the subject, and the sound inlet is positioned to face away from the ear canal of the subject, wherein the first portion comprises a tab that curves away from the ear canal of the subject;
 b) a hollow tube, wherein the hollow tube is attached to the face of the first portion that faces the ear canal of the subject, wherein the hollow tube is positioned to protrude into the ear canal of the subject; 
 c) a first seal, wherein the first seal has a body that has a wide end and a narrow end, and the body of the first seal tapers in size from the wide end to the narrow end, wherein the first seal contains an aperture that is about circular through which the hollow tube protrudes, and wherein the first seal fits over the hollow tube at a point that is proximal to the face of the first portion that faces the ear canal, wherein the first seal is situated at about the opening of the ear canal of the subject; and 
 d) a second seal, wherein the second seal fits over the hollow tube at a point that is more distal from the first portion than the point at which the first seal fits over the hollow tube, wherein the second seal comprises an open terminus that is situated inside of the ear canal of the subject,
 wherein the hollow tube is flexible and is positioned inside the ear canal of the subject, and the hollow tube houses a sound bore, and 
 wherein the sound bore, the sound inlet, and the open terminus together form a continuous passage that carries sound from outside the ear to inside the ear of the subject. 
 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , where the device attenuates a sound within a frequency range of about 120 Hz to about 8000 Hz. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the device attenuates a sound within a frequency range of about 1000 Hz to about 3000 Hz. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the device attenuates a sound by about 15 dB to about 30 dB. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the device attenuates a sound by about 25 dB. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the attenuation of sound by the device is constant through a frequency range of about 125 Hz to about 8000 Hz. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the device attenuates a sound by about 10 dB to about 30 dB through a frequency range of about 125 Hz to about 8000 Hz.