The present invention relates to an adjustable hearing protection device for arranging in and/or on the ear, the hearing protection device including: a housing with an acoustic entrance opening, an insertion part for inserting into an auditory canal of the ear extending from the housing with an acoustic exit opening oriented toward the interior of the auditory canal, and adjusting means for adjusting the hearing protection device to one of at least two acoustic adjustment positions. Each acoustic adjustment position sets one of a number of acoustic couplings between the entrance opening and the exit opening.

Occlusion devices, earpiece devices and methods of forming occlusion devices are provided. An occlusion device is configured to occlude an ear canal. The occlusion device includes an insertion element and at least one expandable element disposed on the insertion element. The expandable element is configured to receive a medium via the insertion element and is configured to expand, responsive to the medium, to contact the ear canal. Physical parameters of the occlusion device are selected to produce a predetermined sound attenuation charactelistic over a frequency band, such that sound is attenuated more in a first frequency range of the frequency band than in a second frequency range of the frequency band.

Occlusion devices, earpiece devices and methods of forming occlusion devices are provided. An occlusion device is configured to occlude an ear canal. The occlusion device includes an insertion element and at least one expandable element disposed on the insertion element. The expandable element is configured to receive a medium via the insertion element and is configured to expand, responsive to the medium, to contact the ear canal. Physical parameters of the occlusion device are selected to produce a predetermined sound attenuation charactelistic over a frequency band, such that sound is attenuated more in a first frequency range of the frequency band than in a second frequency range of the frequency band.

A sound absorbing device of the type adapted to cover the ears of a user and comprising a sound absorbing material, wherein the sound absorbing material comprises of a thixotropic material.

Occlusion devices, earpiece devices and methods of forming occlusion devices are provided. An occlusion device is configured to occlude an ear canal, but other biological and non-biological conduits or chambers can be occluded using the devices and methods herein. The occlusion device includes an insertion element and at least one occluding member or element (which can be expandable) disposed on the insertion element. The occluding member is configured to receive a medium via the insertion element and is configured to expand, responsive to the medium, to contact the ear canal. Alternatively, the occluding member is made of a non-Newtonian fluid and can be enclosed by a balloon or not. Physical parameters of the occlusion device are selected to produce a predetermined sound attenuation characteristic over a frequency band. Use of a non-Newtonian fluid provides additional options or variables in customizing or designing a predetermined sound attenuation characteristic.

Occlusion devices, earpiece devices and methods of forming occlusion devices are provided. An occlusion device is configured to occlude an ear canal, but other biological and non-biological conduits or chambers can be occluded using the devices and methods herein. The occlusion device includes an insertion element and at least one occluding member or element (which can be expandable) disposed on the insertion element. The occluding member is configured to receive a medium via the insertion element and is configured to expand, responsive to the medium, to contact the ear canal. Alternatively, the occluding member is made of a non-Newtonian fluid and can be enclosed by a balloon or not. Physical parameters of the occlusion device are selected to produce a predetermined sound attenuation characteristic over a frequency band. Use of a non-Newtonian fluid provides additional options or variables in customizing or designing a predetermined sound attenuation characteristic.

An earplug for blocking sound and method of making the same, which includes a planar insert within an earplug of compressible slow recovery foam. A method of attenuating sound by inserting the earplug at an ear canal entry so that the planar insert is tactilely vertical, and pushing the earplug into the ear canal allowing the earplug to flex perpendicular to plana surfaces of the planar insert.

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.

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.

Systems and methods for occluding a duct and attenuating sound may be provided. In some embodiments, a system may include a toroidal component enclosing an interior volume. The interior volume may contain a fluid and may have an extended state and a retracted state. When the toroidal component is in the extended state, a distal portion of the toroidal component that defines a distal tip is configured to extend in a distal direction and a proximal portion of the toroidal component may define a proximal end of the toroidal component. When the toroidal component is in the retracted state, a portion of the inner surface may extend proximally beyond the proximal end of the toroidal component. A fluid composition and methods for attenuating sound may also be provided. In some embodiments, the fluid composition may be a suspension that includes an interstitial fluid and a plurality of gas-filled spheres.