A system comprising a scanner to scan an ear and a processor to receive, from the scanner, a non-manifold three-dimensional (3D) digital surface model (DSM) scan data representative of a non-manifold 3D surface model of the auditory canal and the concha of the ear. The 3D surface model is an outer boundary surface for an earpiece appliance. The processor determines an extrema boundary located at a free edge of the 3D surface model; recognizes anatomical features including a cymba concha and auditory canal peak; modifies the 3D surface model relative to the anatomical features by creating a base boundary plane for the appliance, offset some distance from the extrema boundary; creates a closed volume within and between the outer boundary surface, the extrema boundary and the base boundary plane to form a solid 3D earpiece appliance; and causes a computer-aided manufacturing device to manufacture the solid 3D earpiece appliance.

The present disclosure describes eyewear hearing protection systems and eyewear attachable hearing protectors. In one example, an eyewear hearing protection system can include a lens portion that includes a lens to be positioned in front of an eye of a user. A head support can extend back from the lens portion. An earplug dock can be positioned or positionable on the head support. An earplug can be attractable to and dockable on the earplug dock. In another example, an eyewear attachable hearing protector can include an earplug dock including an attachment portion to attach to a head support of an eyewear, and an earplug that is attractable to and dockable on the earplug dock.

An acoustic device is described that comprises an acoustic channel extending through its housing and an acoustic valve disposed in the acoustic channel. The acoustic valve is configured to determine a passage of sound through the housing via the acoustic channel. The acoustic valve comprises a deformable shape forming a deformable perimeter of the acoustic channel, and an actuating mechanism configured to exert an actuating force deforming the deformable shape causing the deformable perimeter to move and change the passage of sound.

A deep insert, inflatable hearing protection earplug is provided that is easy for an untrained user to insert correctly, reliably providing high acoustic attenuation and remaining both secure and comfortable for long durations in a human ear. The earplug comprises a soft elastomer shell that forms a sealed volume filled with an inert fluid. The earplug can comprise a slender, flexible stem that is easily insertable into the ear canal when deflated. The proximal end of the earplug can be situated outside the ear canal, within the concha of the ear, and incorporates a bulb with a hemispherical, bistable cap. After inserting the shaft of the earplug into the ear canal, the wearer applies force with a finger to invert the cap, which transitions elastically from a convex to a concave external geometry, displacing a fixed volume of fluid to inflate a sheath that forms the outer covering of the stem, filling and sealing the ear canal. The sheath can be deflated by pulling on or otherwise engaging a release tab or other feature attached to the cap.

The present disclosure concerns an acoustic valve (10) for hearing protection. The valve (10) comprises a housing (1) that is placeable or integrated in an ear plug (100). The housing (1) comprises a sound passage (2) extending through the housing (1) for allowing at least partial transmission of sound from the external surroundings (11) into the auditory canal (13). The housing comprises an impulse filter (3) comprising a rigid plate (4). The rigid plate (4) forms an enclosed volume (12) within the sound passage (2) of the valve. The rigid plate (4) comprises at least one perforation (5) for passing part of the sound from the external surroundings (11) via the perforation (5) into the enclosed volume (12). The housing further comprises an acoustic filter (6) comprising a mesh (7) arranged in the sound passage (2) between the rigid plate (4) and the auditory canal (13).

An earplug and method for attenuating sound. An acoustic canal extends straight through a housing to guide the sound inside an ear canal. The acoustic canal comprises a canal section dimensioned to fit at least partially inside the ear canal. The canal section ends at one side in a first exterior opening to let the sound into the ear canal. Another side of the canal section transitions into a first resonance volume with a relatively wide diameter. A second resonance volume ends at one side in a second exterior opening and, the other side being separated from the first resonance volume by a sound attenuating mesh. This provides resonance cavities that compensate attenuation of the mesh over a wide range of high frequencies.

A foam earplug for reception at least partially within the ear canal and including a body portion formed of resilient foam plastic material having a multiple open cell structure and having a size and shape for at least partial reception within the ear canal. A transdermal material having a particular beneficial action, and with an outer layer of the foam earplug infused with the transdermal material so that the benefits of the transdermal material is in transdermal contact with the ear canal. One example is a humectant material and, specifically, a moisturizer/lubricating material, for providing an increase to the lubrication and moisturizing in the ear canal. A second example is where the beneficial action is provided by systemic distribution such as a sleep aid, i.e., Melatonin, so that when the earplugs arm worn during sleep, the earplugs will provide a sleep aid to the wearer.

An attachment for a device for generating an airflow or for dispensing a fluid, which attachment is adapted to be inserted at least in sections into an external ear canal of a human or animal ear. The attachment has a connecting piece for connecting the attachment to the device for generating an airflow, and has a guide vane of tongue-like design with a guide vane base for guiding air flowing out of the device for generating an airflow via the connecting piece.

An earplug comprises a core and a sound-attenuating body attached to the core, the sound-attenuating body comprising a tip cavity extending proximally from the tip of the sound-attenuating body and comprising a distal opening. The tip cavity side wall includes a plurality of protrusions extending inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the core. The plurality of protrusions may include from 2 to 12 protrusions. A method of making an earplug includes covering at least a portion of a core with a material including unactivated foaming agent; inserting an end of the core and at least a portion of the material into a mold cavity; and activating the foaming agent to create a sound-attenuating body. The sound-attenuating body has a base, tip, and tip cavity with a plurality of protrusions. The mold cavity may include a boss with a cup and plurality of cut-outs on the cup for forming the protrusions.