A passive non-linear earplug can include: a tapered body having a channel extending from a wider distal end to a narrower proximal end, the tapered body having shape memory and size adapted for being received into an ear canal of a human subject; and a disk attached to the wider distal end of the tapered body, the disk having one or more holes aligned with the channel. A structural tube can be located in the channel. A handle can be attached to the tapered body and/or disk. An annular member can be coupled to the disk opposite of the tapered body, the annular member having an aperture that at least partially aligns with the channel. A tube member can be coupled to the disk opposite of the tapered body. The earplug can attenuate loud sounds while allowing normal sounds to be heard, which provides for the non-linearity.

A tuned-frequency-spectrum earpiece for selectively tuning audio frequencies that enter an inner ear of a user wearing the earpiece, the earpiece including a base having an emitter end and receiver end, the base including a channel that passes through an entirety of the base; a sound-attenuation plug, wherein the sound-attenuation plug is configured to couple to the base such that the sound-attenuation plug surrounds at least a portion of the channel of the base; a first filter device configured to insert into the channel of the base and to selectively reject undesired frequencies of the audio frequencies that enter the earpiece; and a frequency-selective sound collector operatively coupled to the receiver end of the base and configured to increase an amount of desired frequencies of the audio frequencies that enter the first filter device. Some embodiments increase the amount of sound from some directions while reducing sound from other directions.

An earbud includes a connection member, a regulating valve, an earbud body and a bladder. The connection member includes opposite first and second ends and defines a through hole extending through the first end and the second end. The regulating valve defines a flow channel therein and incudes a connection end and a working end. The connection end is tightly connected to the connection member, and the working end defines a flat adjustment opening. The flow channel communicates with the through hole of the connection member. The earbud body is mounted around the regulating valve and connected tightly to the connection member or the regulating valve. The earbud body defines a first cavity therein, and the bladder is tightly connected to the connection member and defines a second cavity for containing fluid therein. The second cavity communicates with the through hole of the connection member.

Systems and methods are described for administering a solution to a tympanic membrane of an ear canal of a subject. In some embodiments, the system includes a fluid delivery channel with a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen defined therebetween. The proximal end can include at least one of a valve and Luer connector for selectively establishing fluid communication between a solution source and the lumen of the fluid delivery channel. The distal end can include an atraumatic tip defining a plurality of spray holes for providing fluid communication between the lumen and the ear canal. The atraumatic tip can be capable of being inserted into the ear canal and positioned near the tympanic membrane with the plurality of spray holes substantially facing the tympanic membrane to fill the ear canal with the solution from a portion near the tympanic membrane out toward an outer ear portion.

A method of making personal protective equipment, such as a push-in earplug, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of covering a substrate with an outer layer that includes an unactivated foaming agent, positioning at least a portion of the outer layer in a mold, and activating the foaming agent such that a portion of the outer layer expands.

The present disclosure discloses an in-ear earplug structure, which comprises a hollow support body, wherein a sound hole is opened at a front end of the support body, an outer side of the support body is provided with at least two soft umbrella-shaped plug bodies, the support body and the umbrella-shaped plug bodies are integrally molded, a speaker unit is provided in the support body, a preset spacing is formed between the speaker unit and the sound hole, a rear sound cavity is formed in the support body, the rear sound cavity is located on the rear side of the speaker unit, and a through hole which is in communication with the rear sound cavity is opened at a side part of the support body. In the above structure, when the earplug is worn on an ear, the hard feeling caused by the earplug is greatly reduced, and the wearing comfort is effectively improved. Also, this makes the umbrella-shaped plug body better fit an ear canal, thereby improving the sound insulation effect. In addition, the support body and the umbrella-shaped plug bodies can be integrally processed and molded, making the earplug easier to manufacture and low in cost, which satisfies the needs of users and the market well.

A hearing protection system includes an earplug and an electronic hearing device inserted into a cavity in the earplug. The electronic hearing device includes electronics that incorporate digital signal processing to provide sound amplification and fast compression programming to shut off sound amplification to protect the user when a loud noise is detected. The housing of the electronic hearing device has a sound aperture for emitting the sound from a speaker assembly. The sound aperture is aligned with an opening of a sound tube in the earplug so that sound generated by the speaker assembly can propagate through the sound tube to the user's ear canal. The electronic hearing device may include a short-range communication interface for receiving a short-range communication signal that carries information. The system may include a noise dosimeter that generates noise exposure measurement data related to a dose of noise exposure over a period of time.

A hearing protection system includes an earplug and an electronic hearing device inserted into a cavity in the earplug. The electronic hearing device includes electronics that incorporate digital signal processing to provide sound amplification and fast compression programming to shut off sound amplification to protect the user when a loud noise is detected. The housing of the electronic hearing device has a sound aperture for emitting the sound from a speaker assembly. The sound aperture is aligned with an opening of a sound tube in the earplug so that sound generated by the speaker assembly can propagate through the sound tube to the user's ear canal. The electronic hearing device may include a short-range communication interface for receiving a short-range communication signal that carries information. The system may include a noise dosimeter that generates noise exposure measurement data related to a dose of noise exposure over a period of time.

An ear plug that is adapted to regulate air pressure and protect the inner ear from various weather conditions. The ear plug is formed from of a combination of breathable sterile medical grade cotton gauze and a sterile fiber tissue filler, and which is formed and adapted for a comfortable fit adjacent to or within the ear canal of a user and can also provide noise reduction capabilities.

A layered earplug with pressure reducing mechanisms in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, the layered earplug comprises: a stalk comprising a tunnel that transverses the layered earplug; a plurality of discs attached to the stalk, wherein each disc of the plurality of discs includes a diameter relative to on a position of the disc on the stalk; at least one pocket located between two adjacent discs of the plurality of discs, wherein the at least one air pocket and the plurality of discs reduce sound that reaches a user's eardrum; and at least one valve located within the tunnel configured to release accumulated air pressure in a user's ear canal through the tunnel.