OCCLUSION EFFECT REDUCING EARPLUG

Abstract

Occlusion effect reducing earplugs that have enhanced performance in reducing the occlusion effect are described. The occlusion effect reducing earplugs comprise a reservoir that form a region of high impedance mismatch with air. The reservoir can be a deep-seated reversible bi-stable reservoir that can be filled with a fluid. The occlusion effect reducing earplugs can also include a fitting plug that can serve to locate the balloon at depth and house one or more level-dependent filters, communication devices, and/or fluid filler bulbs.

Claims

1. An earplug comprising: a sound blocking element located at a distal end of an ear canal; and a plug located at a proximal end of the ear canal, wherein the plug is connected to the sound blocking element; wherein the sound blocking element is designed and configured for deep placement within the ear canal.

2. The earplug of claim 1, wherein the sound blocking element has a high impedance mismatch compared to the air in the ear canal.

3. The earplug of claim 1, wherein the sound blocking element is a fluid reservoir or a malleable material capable of expanding to seal the ear canal.

4. The earplug of claim 1, wherein the sound blocking element is a fluid reservoir in the form of a balloon, and the earplug further comprises a pump or filler bulb to move fluid into the balloon.

5. The earplug of claim 1, wherein the fluid reservoir is a reversible bi-stable reservoir.

6. The earplug of claim 1, wherein the sound blocking element is located at about 5 mm from an eardrum.

7. The earplug of claim 4, where the fluid filler bulb is filled with a high impedance mismatch fluid when compared to the air in the ear canal.

8. The earplug of claim 7, wherein the high impedance mismatch fluid is water.

9. The earplug of claim 1, wherein the plug comprises one or more level-dependent filters.

10. The earplug of claim 1, wherein the plug comprises one or more communication elements.

11. The earplug of claim 1, wherein the sound blocking element is a malleable material.

12. The earplug of claim 11, wherein the sound blocking element comprises a malleable material.

13. The earplug of claim 12, wherein the malleable material is a foam or other elastic material.

14. The earplug of claim 13, wherein the malleable material is compressed within a sleeve until the device is properly positioned; the sleeve being retractable to allow the malleable material to expand to seal the ear canal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present disclosure is described with reference to the following figures, which are presented for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be limiting.

[0016] In the drawings:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an Occlusion-Effect-Reducing Earplug (OERE) with a deep reversible bi-stable fluid reservoir in accordance with aspects of the present disclosures;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a design of an OERE with a deep reversible bi-stable fluid reservoir in accordance with aspects of the present disclosures;

[0019] FIG. 3A is an image depicting a setup with an OERE in accordance with aspects of the present disclosures;

[0020] FIG. 3B is an image depicting an ear-mold in accordance with aspects of the present disclosures;

[0021] FIG. 3C is an image depicting a bone exciter in accordance with aspects of the present disclosures; and

[0022] FIG. 4 is a plurality of graphs presenting the occlusion effect over different frequencies for earplug, earplug with water balloon, and water balloon in accordance with aspects of the present disclosures.

[0023] FIG. 5A depicts an exemplary device inserted in the ear canal with a fluid reservoir pushed into position such that the reservoir engages the ear canal wall.

[0024] FIG. 5B depicts an exemplary device with an expanded fluid reservoir, which does not engage the ear canal for entry and removal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] It will be appreciated that for clarity, the following discussion will explicate various aspects of embodiments of the applicant's teachings, while omitting certain specific details wherever convenient or appropriate to do so. For example, discussion of like or analogous features in alternative embodiments may be somewhat abbreviated. Well-known ideas or concepts may also for brevity not be discussed in any great detail. The skilled person in the art will recognize that some embodiments of the applicant's teachings may not require certain of the specifically described details in every implementation, which are set forth herein only to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. Similarly, it will be apparent that the described embodiments may be susceptible to alteration or variation according to common general knowledge without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The following detailed description of embodiments is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the applicant's teachings in any manner.

[0026] Various terms are used herein consistent with their common meanings in the art. The following terms are defined below for clarity.

[0027] It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an earplug” is a reference to “one or more earplug” and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.

[0028] As used herein, the term “about” means plus or minus 10% of the numerical value of the number with which it is being used. Therefore, about 50% means in the range of 45%-55%.

[0029] In some embodiments, an occlusion effect reducing earplug (OERE) is disclosed. With reference to FIG. 1, the OERE can include a sound blocking element such as, but not limited to, a fluid reservoir (e.g., a water balloon) that surrounds a hollow pipe. The fluid reservoir can be a deep-seated reversible bi-stable fluid reservoir. The sound blocking element can block not only the ambient sound but also the main source of occlusion-effect sound that is coming from the outer regions of the ear canal. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the sound blocking element is more comfortable in the ear canal than other devices such as elastic solid devices. The OERE can also include a cylindrical and fitting plug that can serve to locate the reservoir at depth and house one or more level-dependent filters, communication devices, and mechanisms to pump fluid into and out of the sound blocking element if appropriate. The OERE can also include a central tube that can conduct sound from the outside to enable near-normal hearing with or without a level dependent filter. The OERE can also include a level-dependent filter. The level-dependent filter can allow for natural hearing or electronic communications elements such as one or more receptors, emitters, electronics, and/or batteries.

[0030] In some embodiments, the sound blocking element is located at about 1 mm from the eardrum, at about 2 mm from the eardrum, about 3 mm from the eardrum, about 4 mm from the eardrum, about 5 mm from the eardrum, about 6 mm from the eardrum, about 7 mm from the eardrum, about 8 mm from the eardrum, at about 9 mm from the eardrum, at about 10 mm from the eardrum, at about 11 mm from the eardrum, at about 12 mm from the eardrum, at about 13 mm from the eardrum, at about 14 mm from the eardrum, at about 15 mm from the eardrum, at about 16 mm from the eardrum, at about 17 mm from the eardrum, at about 18 mm from the eardrum, at about 19 mm from the eardrum, at about 20 mm from the eardrum, at about 21 mm from the eardrum, at about 22 mm from the eardrum, at about 23 mm from the eardrum, at about 24 mm from the eardrum, or at about 25 mm from the eardrum.

[0031] In some embodiments, a reusable or disposable OERE is disclosed. In the disposable design, the user can, for example, insert a plug comprising a fluid reservoir (e.g. a balloon) and squeeze a filler bulb to fill the balloon, break off the bulb, and/or have the fluid remain inside the balloon via a one-way valve. In this case, a custom ear-mold may not be needed and the plug may not have to be tight-fitting since the balloon itself can provide attenuation of exterior sound. The fluid reservoir may also be filled by a pumping mechanism, syringe, or other internal or external device.

[0032] In other embodiments, the sound blocking element can be a malleable material such as foam or other elastic material. In such embodiments, the malleable material can be compressed and held in place by a sleeve until the device is properly positioned. Once in place, the sleeve can be retracted, and the malleable material allowed to expand to seal the ear canal. In some embodiments, the malleable material may be covered with a skin material. Similarly, axial compression can also be used to achieve a Poisson effect expansion. Axial compression may be achieve by a wire or rod that extends through the elastic element and is pulled out against a sleeve (like a bike brake) via various mechanisms such as a push button or lever.

[0033] In some embodiments, a reusable or disposable OERE is disclosed. In the reusable design, a mechanism can plump fluid into and out of the balloon.

[0034] Some embodiments may further include a removal device such as a pull tab or string to facilitate removal of the device from the ear canal.

[0035] Similarly, some embodiments may further include a tube and valve to allow pressure release during insertion and/or removal to minimize baratrauma.

[0036] Without being bound to any theory, the majority of input energy to the occlusion effect comes from the outer, cartilaginous region of the canal, and this can be prevented from reaching the eardrum with a region of high impedance mismatch with air (e.g., a fluid) inserted in the boney region of the canal via the fluid reservoir (e.g., a balloon filled with a fluid such as water). There may still be a sound source from this boney region but it may be less intense than the outer region and may contribute less energy due to a smaller area through which to radiate. However, the smaller cavity volume thus created near the eardrum may have a large acoustic impedance, which may increase the energy transmission efficiency from this boney region.

[0037] The earplugs disclosed herein can be used in many applications. For instance, some of the earplugs disclosed herein can be used in dosimetry. The noise exposure of workers is a topic of importance for health, science, protection, and legal reasons. It is desired to measure the dose directly in the user's ear, often behind hearing protection. Earplugs generally have high variability in protection due to how well they fit in the ear. Many scientific methods and inventions have attempted to account for this variability. The occlusion effect also has a large impact on the user's sound exposure by adding sound that would not have been present without an earplug. Some of the earplugs disclosed herein can solve both of these problems by giving a less variable and a more constant and long-lasting fit and by partially or completely removing the occlusion effect. The earplugs disclosed herein can provide the sound level right at the eardrum, thus eliminating not only the occlusion effect but also the resonances in the ear canal, which are highly variable between individuals. The sound at the eardrum can be measured through the central tube, which has known constant acoustic affect that can be accounted for.

[0038] Furthermore, some of the earplugs disclosed herein can be used for hearing testing. Hearing tests often use in-ear sound sources. The actual sound delivered to the eardrum from these may be influenced by the individual ear canal shape and level of occlusion of the device. The earplugs disclosed herein can deliver the sound directly to the eardrum, without effects from the canal or occlusion.

[0039] Furthermore, some of the earplugs disclosed herein can be used in hearing aids. Some hearing aids are design to fit deeply in the ear canal, much like some of the earplugs disclosed herein. Reasons for this deep fit include the reduction of the occlusion effect and the invisible and long term use. The fitting and sizing of the hearing aid and the insertion process may be unpleasant for the user. Only a portion of people can tolerate them. Some of the earplugs disclosed herein can be used in conjunction with hearing aid electronics, to deliver the same results but provide more comfort, easier insertion, and less customization for the user. FIGS. 5A and 5B depict a schematic view of an exemplary ear plug in accordance with some embodiments The Figs. Depict a pumping mechanism that can move fluid into and out of a fluid reservoir, such as a balloon. A movable cylinder or ring (e.g. o-ring) can move a long shallow balloon down to the end of the device, causing the fluid to make a wider balloon and form a seal with the ear canal.

EXAMPLES

[0040] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description and the preferred versions contained within this specification. Various aspects of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to the following non-limiting examples.

Example 1

Occlusion Effect Reducing Earplug

[0041] An occlusion effect reducing earplug (OERE) was fabricated. The OERE is illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C. The OERE consisted of a Foley catheter (Medline, 6 Fr., 1.5 mL) inserted through a hole cut into a hard plastic ear-mold (see, FIGS. 3A and 3B). The ear-mold was 3D printed from a CAD file provided by a Lantos ear scanning system. A miniature microphone (Knowles EM 23047) was sealed over the end of the central pipe of the catheter, thus acting as a probe mic inserted near the eardrum (tube effects did not affect this frequency range). A bone exciter transducer (see, FIG. 3C) was strapped to the mastoid process, and issued a chirp signal (200 Hz-1 kHz). The sound was recorded by the probe mic, for the cases of: [0042] (1) Open canal: catheter inserted, no ear mold, and balloon not inflated; [0043] (2) Ear-mold inserted, and balloon not inflated (full occlusion effect); [0044] (3) Ear-mold inserted, balloon inflated with water (occlusion effect reduced); [0045] (4) Ear-mold removed, balloon still in place.
The open canal measurement was subtracted from the rest of the measurements, to yield a plot of the occlusion effect (see, FIG. 4). These results show greater than 10 dB reduction in occlusion effect for most of the frequency band.

ABSTRACT

[0046] Occlusion effect reducing earplugs are described that have enhanced performance in reducing the occlusion effect from intracranial sound sources such as breathing, speaking, and coughing. The occlusion effect reducing earplug comprises a deep sound-blocking element that form a region of high impedance mismatch with air. The blocking element can be a deep-seated reversible bi-stable reservoir that can be filled with a fluid. The occlusion effect reducing earplugs can also include a fitting plug that can serve to locate the balloon at depth and house one or more level-dependent filters, communication devices, and/or fluid filler bulbs.