Patent ID: 8750544
Filing Date: 2014-06-10
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An electronic earplug comprising: a microphone configured to convert ambient sound to input electrical signals; a circuit operatively connected to the microphone, the circuit configured to receive the input electrical signals from the microphone and provide output electrical signals to a receiver, the circuit configured to modify a sound output level from the electronic earplug based on a sound input level of the ambient sound and a gain characteristic setting selected from a plurality of gain characteristic settings and comprising a first setting and a second setting, the circuit comprising a transistor switching circuit configured such that it can be switched between the plurality of gain characteristic settings, wherein the transistor switching circuit produces a first audible switch indication when switching from the second setting to the first setting; and the receiver operatively connected to the circuit, the receiver configured to convert the output electrical signals into sound that is communicated to a user's ear canal.