An earplug device that is placed in the ear canal to attenuate sound frequencies within a selected frequency range. The earplug has a plug body with a first end, an opposite second end, and an exterior surface that extends from the first end to the second end. A narrow vent channel is formed in the exterior surface of the plug body to enable air pressure to equalize by enabling a small volume of air to pass the earplug in the ear canal. The vent channel also enables a low level of sound to pass the earplug, therein enabling a person wearing the earplugs to understand spoken communications.

Systems and methods for occluding a duct and attenuating sound may be provided. In some embodiments, a device for attenuating sound passing through a duct or orifice may include a body sized and shaped to be inserted, at least partially, into a duct or orifice. The body may have an interior volume that contains a fluid suspension. In some embodiments, the fluid suspension may include a plurality of gas-filled spheres dispersed in an interstitial fluid. The gas-filled spheres may increase an acoustic attenuation of the fluid suspension relative to the interstitial fluid alone.

An earplug device that is placed in the ear canal to attenuate sound frequencies within a selected frequency range. The earplug has a plug body with a first end, an opposite second end, and an exterior surface that extends from the first end to the second end. An opening is formed in the plug body at the first end The opening leads to an internal conduit within the plug body. The internal conduit terminates at a closed membrane wall proximate the second end of the plug body. The internal conduit and the membrane wall both act upon incoming acoustic signals to both lower volume and attenuate certain undesired frequency ranges.

An expansible ear canal insert for treating TMJ disorders and headaches which acts directly on the TMJ and associated ligament and muscle structures to reduce stress and loads placed on the articulator disc located between the temporal bone and the mandible, as well as supportive muscles and ligaments near the TMJ. The insert is adapted to expand by application of body heat. In the expanded condition, the insert provides support to the TMJ and associated ligament and muscle structures.

A device for use by a dental patient fits in the patient's ear and has at least one curved resonator tube to reduce the perceived volume of a dental drill. The device can have multiple layers of resonator tubes and a port into which recorded music can be played to calm the patient further.

Guards for a space access device are configured to be attached to, as well as removed from the space access device by hand, without the need to resort to any tools to perform the attachment or the removal. A distal guard includes at least first and second filters separated by at least one convoluted pathway, and also includes outwardly extending members projecting outwardly from a base of the distal guard. A proximal guard forms at least one convoluted pathway with a cap forming a proximal end of the space access device. A pull tab provides redundancy against failure. The pull tab may be incorporated into the distal guard.

A guard configured to form an air flow channel with a space access device and to clear debris therefrom includes a surface configured to interface with an opposing surface of the space access device to form the air flow channel. A connector is configured to attach the guard to the space access device so that the surface and the opposing surface are oriented in predetermined positions to establish the air flow channel. A wiper extends from at least a portion of the surface, the wiper being configured such that upon rotation of the guard relative to the space access device, the wiper contacts and moves the debris.

An earpiece including an intra-auricular support, a projection element coupled thereto, and a flexible body disposed thereon and inside an external ear canal of an ear, and a moldable earpiece material moldable about the intra-auricular support to conform to the auricle of an ear and curable to provide a fixed configuration of the earpiece.

A method for external ear canal pressure regulation to alleviate one or more symptoms associated with a disorder or treat one or more disorders, the method including providing a fluid transfer device which generates a fluid flow of a fluid through an earplug, the earplug having an earplug external surface configured to sealably engage an external ear canal wall as a barrier between an external ear canal pressure and an ambient pressure; sealably engaging the earplug of the fluid transfer device with the external ear canal wall as the barrier between the external ear canal pressure and the ambient pressure; and operating the fluid transfer device to generate the fluid flow of the fluid through the earplug to achieve an external ear canal pressure differential between the external ear canal pressure and the ambient pressure effective to alleviate a disorder symptom or treat a disorder.

The present invention provides a customizable ear insert for fitting within a user's outer ear or ear canal or both and methods therefor. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a customizable ear insert having: a body formed of photocurable polymer, the body having a first shape configured for insertion into the outer ear canal of a user; a light source, the light source positioned adjacent the body, and wherein the body can be cured into a second shape by application of light generated by the light source, the second shape snugly conforming to the interior surface of the user's outer ear or ear canal or both.