EAR PROTECTION DEVICE

Abstract

A device (2) for insertion into an ear canal of a mammalian subject defines at least one sound path (16) therethrough. The second path (16) has an attenuating arrangement (14) therein which has a first configuration having a first level of attenuation and a second configuration having a second level of attenuation, higher than the first level. The attenuating arrangement (14) is such that upon application of an electrical control signal thereto, it is caused to change between the first and second configurations. The attenuating arrangement is stable in both first and second configurations such that the attenuating arrangement only draws electrical current from a power source when changing between the first and second configurations. The device further comprises a receiver (36) for receiving a command signal (34) from outside the device such that receipt of the command signal (34) causes the electrical control signal to be applied to said attenuating arrangement.

Claims

1. A device configured for insertion into an ear canal of a mammalian subject and defining at least one sound path therethrough, the sound path having an attenuating arrangement therein which has a first configuration having a first level of attenuation and a second configuration having a second level of attenuation, higher than the first level, the attenuating arrangement being such that upon application of an electrical control signal thereto the attenuating arrangement is caused to change between said first and second configurations; the attenuating arrangement being stable in both first and second configurations such that the attenuating arrangement only draws electrical current from a power source when changing between the first and second configurations; the device further comprising a receiver configured for receiving a command signal from outside the device such that receipt of said command signal causes said electrical control signal to be applied to said attenuating arrangement.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 arranged such that said command signal causes the attenuating arrangement to change from said first configuration to said second configuration and receipt of a second command signal causes said attenuating arrangement to change from said second configuration to said first configuration.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said attenuating arrangement has a third configuration having a third level of attenuation between the first and second levels.

4. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein receipt of a third command signal causes said attenuating arrangement to change to said third configuration.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said receiver is a radio-frequency receiver.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said receiver is Bluetooth compatible.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the receiver comprises a Radio Frequency Identification Device which receives power from an external device.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the receiver is arranged to operate in a sleep mode in which minimal power is drawn.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the command signal is provided by a mobile device.

10. The device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the mobile device is provided with control software, for example in the form of a software application.

11. The device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the mobile device comprises a microphone which is used as part of a sound level meter.

12. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the attenuating arrangement comprises an electrical motor or actuator,

13. The device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the electric motor or actuator is employed to adjust the mechanical arrangement between said first and second configurations in such a way that the electric motor or actuator only needs electrical current when moving between said configurations.

14. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the attenuating arrangement comprises a valve.

15. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first level of attenuation is less than 25 dB.

16. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second attenuation levels differ by less than 25 dB.

17. The device as claimed in claim 1 comprising at least a portion thereof in a form of an earplug adapted to conform tightly to a user's ear canal.

18. The device as claimed in claim 1 comprising at least one button on the device and in operative connection with the attenuating arrangement.

19. A system comprising: a mobile device; and a device configured for insertion into an ear canal of a mammalian subject and defining at least one sound path therethrough, the sound path having an attenuating arrangement therein which has a first configuration having a first level of attenuation and a second configuration having a second level of attenuation, higher than the first level, the attenuating arrangement being such that upon application of an electrical control signal thereto it is caused to change between said first and second configurations; the attenuating arrangement being stable in both first and second configurations such that the attenuating arrangement only draws electrical current from a power source when changing between the first and second configurations; the device further comprising a receiver configured for receiving a command signal from outside the device such that receipt of said command signal causes said electrical control signal to be applied to said attenuating arrangement; wherein the mobile device is configured to generate the command signal.

Description

[0022] Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a device in accordance with the present invention in a first configuration;

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the device of FIG. 1 in a second configuration; and

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a schematic of the control circuitry of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a device in accordance with the present invention in the form of an earplug 2. The earplug 2 is inserted into a user's ear canal 4. The user's ear canal 4 extends to the tympanic membrane 6. The tympanic membrane 6 vibrates in response to incident sound waves which travel along the ear canal 4.

[0027] The earplug 2 comprises a sealing plug 8, a control circuit 10, an electric actuator 12, a valve 14, and an internal channel 16 which runs through the sealing plug 8. A gasket 18 is provided at the opening of the internal channel 16 which is exposed to the external environment. The internal channel 16 and thus the opening may have any desired cross sectional shape. An acoustic leak channel 20 connects the outside environment to the internal channel 16. The acoustic leak channel 20 allows a certain amount of sound to pass into the channel 16 irrespective of the position of the valve 14 and provides pressure equalisation when the valve is closed. When the valve 14 is completely closed, the acoustic leak channel 20 controls the level of attenuation. The control circuit 10, electric motor 12 and acoustic leak channel 20 are provided in a segmented portion 22 of the sealing plug 8.

[0028] The valve 14 comprises a moveable member with a sealing face 24 for sealing against the gasket 18. The valve member 14 is pivotally mounted to a protruding member 26 which extends from the main body of the earplug 2. The distal end 28 of the valve 14 is acted on by an armature 30 which is driven by the actuator 12.

[0029] In order to protect their hearing, a user can insert the earplug 2 into their ear canal 4 to the point at which a good seal between the sealing plug 8 and ear canal 4 is achieved. The control circuit 10 then controls the level of attenuation of the earplug 2. In the embodiment seen in FIG. 1 the earplug is in a first configuration which provides a first level of attenuation. The valve 14 is completely open and thus the earplug provides minimal attenuation of the sound which enters the user's ear canal 4. In order to achieve this configuration the control circuit 10 operates the motor 12 such that the actuator 12 pulls on distal end 28 of the valve 14 so that it pivots and moves the sealing face 24 away from the gasket 18. This opens up the channel 16 allowing sound to propagate along the channel 16 towards the tympanic membrane 6.

[0030] The level of attenuation provided by the earplug can be determined by comparing the sound pressure outside the ear canal 4 and the sound pressure inside the ear canal 4. This can be calculated by using the following formula: Attenuation[dB]=P.sub.out[dB]P.sub.in[dB] where P.sub.in[dB] is the sound pressure inside the ear canal 4 measured in decibels and P.sub.out[dB] is the sound pressure outside the ear canal 4 also measuring in decibels. The relationship between the pressure in decibels and the pressure in Pascals is given by the following relationship: P[dB]=20 log(p/p.sub.0), where P[dB] is the pressure in decibels, p is the pressure in Pascals, and P.sub.0 is a reference pressure P.sub.0=210.sup.5 Pascals. If the pressures are measured in Pascals, the attenuation can be calculated using the following formula: Attenuation=P.sub.out/P.sub.in, where p.sub.in is the pressure inside the ear canal measured in pascals, and p.sub.out is the pressure outside the ear canal measured in pascals. This way of calculating attenuation gives a dimensionless number typically in the range from one to several thousand (if the attenuation is high).

[0031] FIG. 2 shows the same earplug 2 in the second configuration which provides a second level of attenuation. In this configuration it will be appreciated that a significant portion of the sound which travels towards the user's ear will be attenuated. It is envisaged that the valve 14 is able to significantly reduce the sound passing through the valve 14 directly into the internal channel 16 and thus the user's ear canal 4. Therefore, in this configuration, sound which can enter the user's ear canal 4 is sound which has travelled via the acoustic leak channel 20 and the sound which has been attenuated by the valve 14. The acoustic leak channel 20 is designed such that it attenuates sound. As a result the sound intensity which can propagate through the acoustic leak channel 20 is significantly less than the sound which can propagate through the earplug 2 when the valve 14 is opened.

[0032] In order for the earplug 2 to operate in this second configuration, the actuator 12 drives the armature 30 to push on the distal end 28 of the valve 14 so that the end portion 24 is pivoted to seal against the gasket 18.

[0033] It will be appreciated that whilst FIGS. 1 and 2 only show two configurations in which two distinct levels of attenuation are achieved, it is envisaged that other levels of attenuation could be achieved. For example, the valve 14 may be positioned so as to be proximal to the gasket 18 but not forming a complete seal. This configuration may provide a third level of attenuation in between the levels achieved by the configurations seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be appreciated that there is a continuous range of positions of the valve 14 which will be equivalent to different levels of attenuation and thus a range of different attenuation levels may be achieved using this example embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the earplug 2 interacting with an external device, for example a smart phone 32. The earplug 2 and smart phone 32 communicate via a radio link 34 which could, for example, be a Bluetooth connection. The control circuit 10, within the earplug 2, comprises a receiver unit 36, a control system 38 and a battery circuit 40. The battery circuit 40 powers the control system 38 and receiver unit 36. The control system 38 controls the output of the actuator 12 which moves the armature 30 which controls the position of the valve 14.

[0035] During use, the earplug 2 may receive a radio signal 34 from the smartphone 32 to instruct the earplug to operate in a second configuration equivalent to a second level of attenuation. In this case, the receiver 36 receives this radio signal which is subsequently interpreted by the control system 38. The actuator 12 is then driven so as to cause the valve 14 to close and thus the earplug 2 attenuates incoming sound at the second level of attenuation. In contrast, if a radio signal 34 is received from the smart phone 32 to instruct the earplug to operate in a first configuration in which the level of attenuation is lower, this can once again be received by receiver 36, interpreted by control circuit 38 and cause the motor 12 to be driven as to move the valve 14 into the open position allowing sound to freely travel into the user's ear canal 4.

[0036] A user may have the earplug 2 in their ear and have the earplug 2 in a first configuration in which the valve 2 is open (see FIG. 1). When a user enters a noisy environment, for example one in which power tools are being used, they may switch the earplug 2 to the second configuration in which the valve 2 is closed (see FIG. 2). When making this transition between different environments the user may, for example, press a button on the mobile device 32 in order to provide a command to switch between the two different configurations.

[0037] In other embodiments, the mobile device 32 may comprise a microphone and sound processing software. In such embodiments the microphone may detect the sound intensity in the environment in which it is in. As the mobile device 32 is likely to be carried by the user it will detect the sound intensity in the environment proximal to the user. The sound processing software can then measure the intensity of the sound and compare it to predetermined base levels. If the sound is determined to be above a predetermined base level the mobile device 32 may provide a command signal to the earplug 2 to switch it into the second configuration. The sound processing software may also monitor the detected sound levels and assess any frequent sounds which may be below the base level but may still cause damage to the user's hearing due to their repetitive nature. The mobile device 32 may then cause the earplug 2 to switch to the second configuration if such conditions are detected.

[0038] Once the earplug 2 is in a configuration appropriate for the detected sound levels, the mobile device 32 may continue to monitor the sound intensity in the environment in which the user is present. If/when the mobile device 32 detects that the sound conditions have changed, the mobile device 32 may provide a command signal to switch the earplug 2 into the first configuration. This ability to constantly monitor the sound conditions via the mobile device is advantageous as it does not require power consumption from the earplug 2 itself.

[0039] It will also be appreciated that there may be communication from the receiver 36 to the smartphone 32. For example the receiver may relay various pieces of operational state information to the smartphone, for example battery status information. This information may then be used by the smartphone and be used to indicate to the user when the batteries need replacing or recharging.

[0040] It will be appreciated that whilst in the example shown a motor 12 drives a valve 14 to open and close an internal channel 16, various other mechanisms could be employed.