Patent ID: 6691822
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An ear protector for damping sound, the ear protector comprising:a ear protector housing sized to fit in an auditory duct of a person, the ear protector housing having an ear shell side and an ear drum side, the ear protector housing substantially closing off the auditory duct of the person, the ear protector housing comprising; a canal extending from the ear shell side of the ear protector housing to the ear drum side; and a sound damping filter positioned within the canal, the sound damping filter comprising: a filter housing formed from a first material, the filter housing having a sound damping canal defining a passage extending from a sound inlet opening to a sound outlet opening, the sound damping canal remaining open during use; and an air permeable, sheet-like membrane formed from a second material and supported by the filter housing in a position between the sound inlet opening and the sound outlet opening, the sheet-like membrane extending transverse to the sound damping canal; wherein the second material of the sheet-like membrane is manufactured from a sheet of substantially air impermeable material, the second material being flexible with respect to sound waves relative to the first material, the sheet-like member having at least two perforations extending substantially parallel to an axis of the sound damping canal, the perforations rendering the sheet-like membrane air permeable.