A hearing protection system is provided. The hearing protection system has a first active hearing protection system. The first active hearing protection system is level-dependent. The hearing protection system also has a second active hearing protection system. The second active hearing protection system is level-dependent. Each of the first and second active hearing protection systems are configured to operate in an independent mode and a dual-protection mode. A dual-protection mode level dependent function of the second active hearing protection system is different than an independent mode level dependent function.

Described herein is an earplug having a lighting element. The earplug comprises a first end with a removable tip and a second end having a light source configured to illuminate the second end and at least the ear, wherein the light source illumination indicates the presence of the earplug being worn and placed properly. The light source is preferably a color changing light emitting diode (LED).

Described herein is an earplug having a lighting element. The earplug comprises a first end with a removable tip and a second end having a light source configured to illuminate the second end and at least the ear, wherein the light source illumination indicates the presence of the earplug being worn and placed properly. The light source is preferably a color changing light emitting diode (LED).

A push-in earplug is provided. The push-in earplug comprises an elongate core comprising a first material and a second material. The push-in earplug also comprises an outer layer comprising a foamable material, the outer layer covering at least a portion of an outer surface of the elongate core. The second material is configured to thermally bond to the outer layer during activation of the foamable material.

A push-in earplug is provided. The push-in earplug comprises an elongate core comprising a first material and a second material. The push-in earplug also comprises an outer layer comprising a foamable material, the outer layer covering at least a portion of an outer surface of the elongate core. The second material is configured to thermally bond to the outer layer during activation of the foamable material.

An earpiece is provided. The earpiece can deform flexibly so as to follow the earhole when in use, and the earpiece can be manufactured easily. An earpiece includes an earpiece body and a filler filled in the earpiece body. The earpiece body has a container-like base member formed of a rubber-like elastic diaphragm that is shaped like a container and has an opening portion. The earpiece body also has a lid member that seals the opening portion liquid-tightly. The filler is flowable at room temperature.

An earpiece is provided. The earpiece can deform flexibly so as to follow the earhole when in use, and the earpiece can be manufactured easily. An earpiece includes an earpiece body and a filler filled in the earpiece body. The earpiece body has a container-like base member formed of a rubber-like elastic diaphragm that is shaped like a container and has an opening portion. The earpiece body also has a lid member that seals the opening portion liquid-tightly. The filler is flowable at room temperature.

A method and apparatus for objectively assessing acoustical performance of an in-ear device having a passageway extending there through use a dual microphone probe that removably engages the passageway. The acoustical performance of the in-ear device is performed with the in-ear device inserted into the ear canal of the user and a reference sound source. A clip holding the probe in an acoustic near field of the sound source permits real time calibration thereof. The method and apparatus allow on-site and in-situ measurement of a predicted personal attenuation rating of the device, a subject-fit re-insertion test, an acoustic seal test, a rating test, a stability and reliability test, as well as a protection test of the device with an assessment of a filtered predicted exposure level at the ear for a specific noise exposure level. The apparatus may be simply housed along with the sound source for in-field evaluation tests.

A method and apparatus for objectively assessing acoustical performance of an in-ear device having a passageway extending there through use a dual microphone probe that removably engages the passageway. The acoustical performance of the in-ear device is performed with the in-ear device inserted into the ear canal of the user and a reference sound source. A clip holding the probe in an acoustic near field of the sound source permits real time calibration thereof. The method and apparatus allow on-site and in-situ measurement of a predicted personal attenuation rating of the device, a subject-fit re-insertion test, an acoustic seal test, a rating test, a stability and reliability test, as well as a protection test of the device with an assessment of a filtered predicted exposure level at the ear for a specific noise exposure level. The apparatus may be simply housed along with the sound source for in-field evaluation tests.

A system and method to measure noise reduction and evaluate the contributions of various sound sources to noise exposure dose of exposition using electro-acoustic earplugs is provided. The system may be implemented as an advanced HPD in the form of an electro-acoustical earplug. The earplug comprises an OEM 10 and an IEM. The system is configured to calculate an estimated IEM signal based on calculation of estimates of residual ambient noise, payback sounds or WID present in the ear canal.