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.

The present disclosure provides communication systems and devices for use in noise environments, such as during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In some embodiments, a communication headrest is provided that consists of a headrest that supports a patients' head, an optional bone conduction microphone, and one or more vibration actuators. The headset makes contact with noise-isolating earplugs worn by the subject such that vibrations generated by the vibration actuators are transferred through the earplug, via acoustic conduction, to enable the patient to hear audio content while the earplugs provide passive noise protection by occluding the ear canal. In other embodiments, active earplug devices are provided in which an acoustic transducer is contacted and supported by a noise isolating earplug, such that when the earplug is inserted into the ear canal, the acoustic transducer is brought into acoustic conductive communication with tissue surrounding the ear canal, facilitating acoustic communication through bone conduction.

The present disclosure provides communication systems and devices for use in noise environments, such as during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In some embodiments, a communication headrest is provided that consists of a headrest that supports a patients' head, an optional bone conduction microphone, and one or more vibration actuators. The headset makes contact with noise-isolating earplugs worn by the subject such that vibrations generated by the vibration actuators are transferred through the earplug, via acoustic conduction, to enable the patient to hear audio content while the earplugs provide passive noise protection by occluding the ear canal. In other embodiments, active earplug devices are provided in which an acoustic transducer is contacted and supported by a noise isolating earplug, such that when the earplug is inserted into the ear canal, the acoustic transducer is brought into acoustic conductive communication with tissue surrounding the ear canal, facilitating acoustic communication through bone conduction.

A hearing protection device is presented. The hearing protection device includes a first hearing protection unit and a second hearing protection unit. Each of the first and second hearing protection units include a microphone that receives ambient sound, a processor that provides level dependent attenuation of the ambient sound, and a speaker that broadcasts the sound into a user's ear. The hearing protection device also includes a first communication unit, which broadcasts a digital push-to-talk signal over a first communication protocol. The first communication protocol is a low energy communication protocol. The hearing protection device also includes a second communication unit, which broadcasts a digital communication signal over a second communication protocol. The hearing protection device also includes a processor that facilitates pairing of the hearing protection device with a mobile device that receives the push-to-talk signal and, based on the push-to-talk signal, receives the digital communication signal and transmits the digital communication signal over a cellular network.

A hearing protection device is presented. The hearing protection device includes a first hearing protection unit and a second hearing protection unit. Each of the first and second hearing protection units include a microphone that receives ambient sound, a processor that provides level dependent attenuation of the ambient sound, and a speaker that broadcasts the sound into a user's ear. The hearing protection device also includes a first communication unit, which broadcasts a digital push-to-talk signal over a first communication protocol. The first communication protocol is a low energy communication protocol. The hearing protection device also includes a second communication unit, which broadcasts a digital communication signal over a second communication protocol. The hearing protection device also includes a processor that facilitates pairing of the hearing protection device with a mobile device that receives the push-to-talk signal and, based on the push-to-talk signal, receives the digital communication signal and transmits the digital communication signal over a cellular network.

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.

An ear plug support article is provided and includes an ear plug, an ear plug arm having a first ear plug arm end and a second ear plug arm end, wherein the ear plug is connected to the first ear plug arm end and wherein the second ear plug arm end includes a mounting article and an ear plug arm support, wherein the ear plug arm support is configured to attach to a brim of a hat, wherein the ear plug arm support defines an arm support cavity configured to movably and securely contain the mounting article such that the ear plug arm is movable.

An ear plug support article is provided and includes an ear plug, an ear plug arm having a first ear plug arm end and a second ear plug arm end, wherein the ear plug is connected to the first ear plug arm end and wherein the second ear plug arm end includes a mounting article and an ear plug arm support, wherein the ear plug arm support is configured to attach to a brim of a hat, wherein the ear plug arm support defines an arm support cavity configured to movably and securely contain the mounting article such that the ear plug arm is movable.

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.

A selective attenuating earplug is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a selective attenuating earplug includes a switch adjustable between a first position and a second position, and the switch includes at least one cantilever spring arm.