CUSTOMIZABLE HEARING PROTECTION DEVICES WITH INTERCHANGEABLE INSERTS AND ACCESSORIES

Customizable hearing protection devices include a body portion. A channel is defined through the body portion. A sound modifying insert is removably inserted into an outer portion of the channel. An adapter insert is removably inserted into an inner portion of the channel. The devices further include an eartip mounted to a mounting portion of the adapter insert that protrudes from the proximal side of the body portion. The channel includes a middle portion connecting the outer portion and the inner portion. The body portion may further include a loop portion, into which an interchangeable chip may be removably inserted. The interchangeable chip may have an outward facing surface with customized indicia thereon.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to hearing protection devices and, more particularly to multi-application, customizable hearing protection devices and interchangeable inserts and accessories for use with the hearing protection devices.

BACKGROUND

Prolonged or repeated exposure to loud noises or high volume of sound is the leading cause of hearing loss. The amount of hearing loss is preventable when proper ear protection is available and used. Common devices such as earplugs that can be inserted into the ear canal or ear muffs that are worn over the ears may be effective at lowering exposures to loud noises. Nevertheless, such devices must be removed to enable the user to hear voices in their environment after loud noises cease, thereby causing inconvenience or risk that the device will be inaccessible when the loud noises resume. Common devices also tend to muffle or distort sounds in certain frequency ranges, for example, at a loud concert. In such instances, the user's goal may be to simply reduce sound volumes to prevent injury, without a desire for disproportionately losing volume in the middle or high frequency ranges.

Further, crowds of people gathered in one place, for example, as a shooting team, a concert audience, or a pit crew, may have morale benefits from some kind of common identification or attachment to a brand. Particularly when the people so gathered also share a common need for hearing protection, practical and highly visible means of displaying the common identification can help develop a sense of camaraderie in the crowd or can be capitalized upon as an advertising opportunity for the brand. Further, there is virtually no carryover with similar ear related devices, thus earplug use is limited to noisy environments. Noise reduction filters, customizable aesthetic inserts, and electronic accessories could create an obvious queue for use to rebuild prior habits while improving proper ear protection behavior.

There remain ongoing needs for hearing protection devices that are both convenient and effective at lowering the volume of ambient sounds to safe levels, while also being adaptable to preserve the ability to reduce sound volume without decreasing sound quality. There remain further ongoing needs for personalizing and customizing hearing protection devices to supplement dated Hearing Protection Devices (HPD) and create habits with new routines.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments disclosed herein are directed to customizable hearing protection devices. The customizable hearing protection devices include a body portion. A channel is defined through the body portion from a distal side of the body portion to a proximal side of the body portion opposite the distal side. The devices further include a sound modifying insert removably inserted into an outer portion of the channel adjacent to the distal side of the body portion, the outer portion having a first diameter. The devices further include an adapter insert removably inserted into an inner portion of the channel adjacent to the proximal side of the body portion, the inner portion having a second diameter, the second diameter being less than the first diameter. The devices further include an eartip mounted to a mounting portion of the adapter insert that protrudes from the proximal side of the body portion. The channel includes a middle portion connecting the outer portion and the inner portion. The middle portion has a third diameter, the third diameter being less than the second diameter. The adapter insert has a sound path defined through the adapter insert.

Further embodiments are directed to kits for assembling customizable hearing protection devices. The kits include at least one body portion; a sound modifying insert selected from an adjustable noise-reduction attachment, a speaker, a high-fidelity music/impulse cartridge insert, or a combination thereof; at least one adapter insert; and at least one eartip.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages will become better understood with reference to the following description and the appended claims.

Additional features and advantages of the embodiments described herein will be set forth in the detailed description that follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the embodiments described herein, including the detailed description that follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of this disclosure are directed to customizable hearing protection devices that also are adaptable for use as stereo headphones for listening to audio from an audio source, with or without hearing protection, and quickly interchangeable from configurations providing minimal hearing protection to configurations providing maximum hearing protection, and vice versa. The hearing protection devices are configured for a precise fit into either the left ear or the right ear of a wearer. Referring generally toFIGS. 1A and 2A, which are oriented to show a proximal side80of a hearing protection device1facing toward the head of a wearer or user, customizable hearing protection devices1include a body portion10. The body portion10includes a loop portion60that accommodates an interchangeable chip100(FIG. 1B). As will be described subsequently in detail, an eartip800is attached to the body portion10and is suitable for insertion into an ear canal of a wearer of the customizable hearing protection device1. The interchangeable chip100is configured to be insertable into either a left-ear device or a right-ear device and may include markings125thereon to indicate into which device the interchangeable chip will fit.

In general, the customizable hearing protection devices according to embodiments of this disclosure are versatile and adaptable to many different applications and end uses, from firing ranges, to race tracks, to battlefields (including communication capabilities with the earphones), to concerts, as a few examples. The interchangeable chip100may enhance the versatility of the hearing protection devices and enable customization to the wearer and/or unique advertising possibilities.

Referring toFIG. 3, which shows a distal side of the customizable hearing protection device1facing away from the head of the user, the interchangeable chip100may include customized indicia110on a surface thereof. The customizable hearing protection device1also includes a sound modifying insert200. The sound modifying insert200may be any device or apparatus that modifies sound entering into the ear of the wearer from the ambient sound that the wearer would hear without the customizable hearing protection device1. The sound modifying insert200may decrease sound volume, may filter sounds in specific frequency ranges, or may send audio generated by a speaker to the ear of the wearer.

As previously described, the customizable hearing protection devices1include a body portion10. The cross-section ofFIG. 4includes the body portion10alone. The cross-section ofFIG. 5includes the body portion10, the sound modifying insert200, and the adapter insert400. Referring jointly to the cross-sections ofFIGS. 4 and 5, a channel20is defined through the body portion10from a distal side70of the body portion10to a proximal side80of the body portion10opposite the distal side70. The sound modifying insert is removably inserted into an outer portion30of the channel20adjacent to the distal side70of the body portion10to contact a forward wall37of the body portion10. The outer portion30has a first diameter d1. An adapter insert400, which will be described subsequently, is removably inserted into an inner portion40of the channel20adjacent to the proximal side80of the body portion10. The inner portion40of the channel20has a second diameter d2. The second diameter d2is less than the first diameter d1of the outer portion30of the channel20. An eartip800(FIG. 1A) is mounted to a mounting portion460of the adapter insert400that protrudes from the proximal side80of the body portion10. The channel20further includes a middle portion50connecting the outer portion30and the inner portion40. The middle portion50has a third diameter d3, the third diameter d3being less than the second diameter d2. The adapter insert400has a sound path420defined through the adapter insert400from an entrance end430of the adapter insert400to an exit end440of the adapter insert400.

Referring toFIG. 4, the outer portion30of the channel20may include a main portion32with the first diameter d1, and an accessory grasping portion35with a fourth diameter d4, the fourth diameter d4being greater than the first diameter d1. Likewise, the inner portion40of the channel20may include a main portion42with the second diameter d2and an insert grasping portion45with a fifth diameter d5, the fifth diameter d5being greater than the second diameter d2.

Referring toFIG. 3, in some embodiments, the customizable hearing protection device1further includes a loop portion60defined in the body portion10and an interchangeable chip100removably inserted into the loop portion60. Referring toFIGS. 6A-6D, the interchangeable chip100includes a bottom surface160that conforms to contours of a surface of the body portion10and a top groove140defined between a front edge130and a rear edge135. The front edge130is also a top edge of an outer surface150of the interchangeable chip100. The rear edge135is also a top edge of an inner surface120of the interchangeable chip100. When the interchangeable chip100is inserted into the body portion10, the top groove140engages the loop portion60of the body portion10. The outer surface150of the interchangeable chip100may include customized indicia110(FIG. 3). The customized indicia110may be applied by any available method for applying indicia to a plastic surface. In some embodiments, the customized indicia110may be applied by in-mold labeling. The interchangeable chip100locks into place using a friction fit. The shape of the interchangeable chip100may follow the shape of the concha area in the average human ear. The inclusion of the interchangeable chip100may also increase earplug retention in the concha region of the human ear.

The interchangeable chip100may include customized indicia110such as text or logos. The interchangeable chip100may include corporate branding, university marching band logos, NASCAR/formula driver numbers, for example. The interchangeable chip100may also be adapted for alerting purposes and may include a battery and a light source such as a light-emitting diode (LED) to illuminate the body portion10. The friction fit of the interchangeable chip100may be accomplished by the contours of the loop portion60of the hearing protection device in combination with the shape of the interchangeable chip100. In some embodiments, the shapes of interchangeable chips100for left-ear and right-ear devices are mirror images of each other.FIG. 20is a schematic illustrating insertion of the interchangeable chip100into the body portion10, when the body portion10has an eartip800attached.

As previously described, the customizable hearing protection device1includes a sound modifying insert. In various embodiments, the sound modifying insert may be selected from an adjustable noise-reduction attachment200(FIGS. 7A-7G), a stepped noise-reduction attachment (FIGS. 9A and 9B), a speaker900(FIGS. 19A and 19B), a high-fidelity music/impulse cartridge insert950(FIGS. 21A, 21B, and 22), or a rocker switch (FIGS. 24A and 24B).

Referring toFIGS. 7A-7G, in some embodiments of the customizable hearing protection device1, the sound modifying insert is an adjustable noise-reduction attachment200. The adjustable noise-reduction attachment200includes a rotatable body220that is rotatable within the outer portion30of the channel20. The rotatable body220may include a handle portion210that a wearer may use to rotate the rotatable body220. The rotatable body220may include a retaining edge230that fits into the accessory grasping portion35of the outer portion30of the channel20of the body portion10.

Referring toFIG. 8, the rotatable body220has a solid center portion250with a thickness t1, t2, t3, that varies with respect to an angle of rotation of the rotatable body220, whereby rotation of the rotatable body220causes a variable thickness of the solid center portion250to block entrance of sound into the sound path420of the adapter insert400. The variable thickness may be accomplished by a spiral-type configuration of the solid center portion250including, for example, a thick spiral portion260and a thin spiral portion270. The solid center portion may also include minimal-attenuation groove245that defines a minimal-attenuation zone240, in which no sound-blocking material blocks entrance of sound into the channel20of the body portion10when the rotatable body220is rotated over the minimal-attenuation zone240. The adjustable noise-reduction attachment200may operate in a manner similar to the attachment described in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,931,489, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The interaction between the retaining edge230and the accessory grasping portion35not only retains the rotatable body220within the body portion10but also enables increased pressure of the rotatable body220against the adapter insert400for a greater level of noise reduction.FIGS. 18A and 18Bare schematics illustrating insertion of the adjustable noise-reduction attachment200into the body portion10, when the body portion10has an eartip800attached.

Referring toFIGS. 9A and 9B, in further embodiments, the sound modifying insert may be a stepped adjustable noise-reduction attachment201. Similar to the adjustable noise-reduction attachment200previously described, stepped adjustable noise-reduction attachment201includes a rotatable body220that is rotatable within the outer portion30of the channel20. The rotatable body220includes a handle portion210that a wearer may use to rotate the rotatable body220. The rotatable body220of the stepped adjustable noise-reduction attachment201includes a retaining edge230that fits into the accessory grasping portion35of the outer portion30of the channel20of the body portion10. The rotatable body220has a center portion that includes a minimal attenuation zone242, a moderate attenuation zone244, and a maximum attenuation zone246. In embodiments, the minimal attenuation zone242may be a hole into the body of the stepped adjustable noise-reduction attachment201, such that the minimal attenuation zone242functions essentially as an extension cavity of the middle portion50of the body portion10. The moderate attenuation zone244and the maximum attenuation zone246may be formed as pads or sound-reducing structures with varying amounts or thicknesses of a blocking material, such as a noise-reducing foam, or a thermoplastic elastomer such as Santoprene®. For example, the moderate attenuation zone244may be formed of a padding of one thickness, while the maximum attenuation zone246is formed of a padding of a thickness greater than that of the moderate attenuation zone244. By the configuration of the minimal attenuation zone242, the moderate attenuation zone244, and the maximum attenuation zone246, an amount of material reducing or blocking an amount of sound that enters the middle portion50of the channel20varies with respect to an angle of rotation of the rotatable body220of the stepped adjustable noise-reduction attachment201.

In the example embodiment ofFIGS. 9A and 9B, when the minimal attenuation zone242aligns with the middle portion50of the channel20in the body portion10, sound volume entering the customizable hearing protection device1may be reduced by a minimal amount of 0 dB to 6 dB. When the moderate attenuation zone244aligns with the middle portion50of the channel20in the body portion10, sound volume entering the customizable hearing protection device1may be reduced by a greater amount of 18 dB to 23 dB. When the maximum attenuation zone246aligns with the middle portion50of the channel20in the body portion10, sound volume entering the customizable hearing protection device1may be reduced by a maximum amount of up to 26 dB. The interaction between the retaining edge230and the accessory grasping portion35not only retains the rotatable body220within the body portion10but also enables increased pressure of the rotatable body220against the adapter insert400for a greater level of noise reduction.

Referring toFIGS. 19A and 19B, in some embodiments of the customizable hearing protection device1, the sound modifying device may be a speaker900. The speaker900may have a speaker wire910connected to a power source (not shown) or a signal source (not shown). Alternatively, the speaker900may be wirelessly driven by signals from a broadcasting source (not shown).FIGS. 19A and 19Bare schematics illustrating insertion of the speaker900into the body portion10, when the body portion10has an eartip800attached.

Referring toFIGS. 21A, 21B, and 22, in some embodiments of the customizable hearing protection device1, the sound modifying device may be an acoustic noise filter950. The acoustic noise filter950is configured to provide a tuned, flat attenuation response over the entire frequency range. Flat attenuation allows users to enjoy the natural sound of live music, but at a safer lower level, without a more severe reduction of high-frequency sounds compared to low-frequency sounds. Such acoustic noise filters are designed for listening to music, because high-frequency sounds are not overly attenuated so as to distort the sound of the music. Impulse filters reduce peak sound pressure produced by gunshots or explosions. Hearing is protected while still being able to communicate and hear surrounding sounds. Minimal sound reduction is provided for quiet sound of interest and noise protection to hazardous impulse sounds. Various views of an acoustic noise filter for use with the hearing protection devices according to embodiments are provided inFIGS. 21A and 21B. The acoustic noise filter950may include a filter frame960having a retention ridge965to retain the acoustic noise filter950in the body portion. As shown in the exploded view ofFIG. 22, the acoustic noise filter950may be an assembly of components that are together inserted into the body portion10. The assembly of multiple components may include the filter frame960and a filter device970removably insertable into the filter frame. Cuts on the top surface of the filter device970are configured to enable passage of sound waves into the filter device970in an optimal manner. The sound waves then pass through the filter device970and the filter frame960to emerge through the sound exit hole980into the middle portion50of the body portion10of the customizable hearing protection device1. In embodiments for which the adapter insert includes a protuberance, the protuberance may extend partly into the sound exit hole980of the filter frame960. Also the width and height of the acoustic noise filter950are configured to provide proper attenuation of sound.

As an example embodiment,FIG. 23is a cross-section of a customizable hearing protection device1with a removably inserted acoustic noise filter950and a removably inserted unthreaded high-fidelity adapter insert300.

Referring toFIGS. 24A and 24B, in some embodiments of the customizable hearing protection device1, the sound modifying device may be a rocker switch1000. The rocker switch1000may be an assembly composed of a switch shell1100(FIGS. 25A and 25B) and a rocking component1200(FIGS. 26A-26C) tiltably mounted inside of the switch shell1100. The switch shell1100includes a retention ridge1120to retain the rocker switch1000by friction fit in the outer portion30of the channel20of the body portion10. The switch shell1100further includes swivel holes1130a,1130b, into which the rocking component1200is mounted. The switch shell1100further includes inner ribs1140to lock the rocking component1200into either the open state or the closed state, as will be described subsequently.

Referring toFIGS. 26A-26C, the rocking component1200of the rocker switch1000includes a rocker body1220and a press plate1210on one end of the rocker body1220. The press plate1210has an opening end1260and a closing end1270. The press plate1210further has a sound hole1250defined therein. The rocking component1200further includes two side pins1230a,1230bthat engage into respective swivel holes1130,1130bof the switch shell1100. The side pins1230a,1230bhave a size appropriate to provide mechanical stability to the rocking component1200while also permitting the rocking component1200to swivel on an axis through the centers of the side pins1230a,1230b. The rocking component1200further includes a muffling pad1240on a side opposite the press plate1210.

Referring back toFIGS. 24A and 24Bin view ofFIG. 4, the rocking component1200is seated inside the switch shell1100so that a rim space1120remains open underneath or behind the rocking component1200, directly inside the retention ridge1110. When the rocker switch1000is inserted into the outer portion30of the channel20of the body portion10of the customizable hearing protection device1, the muffling pad1240is oriented to face the middle portion50of the channel20. During use of the rocker switch1000, the middle portion50either may be empty or may be filled with a protuberance from an adapter insert.

Upon insertion into the body portion10, the rocker switch1000has two possible states: an open state, in which sound passes through the customizable hearing protection device1unattenuated, and a closed state, in which maximum sound attenuation or volume decrease is activated for the customizable hearing protection device1. The user may toggle the rocker switch1000at will from the open state to the closed state, by pressing the opening end1260toward the switch shell1100, or from the closed state to the open state by pressing the closing end1270toward the switch shell1100. While the rocker switch1000is in the open state, sound waves from the ambient environment enter through the sound hole1250and pass through the rocker switch1000until reaching the rim space1120. Upon reaching the rim space1120, the sound waves are deflected downward and into the middle portion50of the channel20, whereupon the sound waves may continue through the adapter insert in the inner portion40of the channel and finally into the ear of the wearer. While the rocker switch1000is in the closed state, sound waves from the ambient environment still enter through the sound hole1250and pass through the rocker switch1000until reaching the rim space1120. However, in the closed state of the rocker switch1000, the muffling pad is firmly pressed over the opening to the middle portion50of the channel, thereby preventing the sound waves from reaching the ear of the wearer to the maximum extent possible for the customizable hearing protection device1. Thereby, the wearer can easily and quickly change the customizable hearing protection device1to have essentially normal hearing in the open state to having maximum hearing protection in the closed state.

As previously described, the customizable hearing protection device1further includes an adapter insert removably inserted into an inner portion of the channel adjacent to the proximal side of the body portion. The adapter insert may be chosen by the wearer of the customizable hearing protection device1based on the wearer's desired use at a given time. The adapter insert itself is interchangeable. In various embodiments, the adapter insert may be chosen from an unthreaded high-fidelity adapter insert300(FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C), a threaded noise reduction adapter insert400(FIGS. 11A and 11B), a threaded adapter insert600(FIGS. 12A and 12B), or an unthreaded music adapter insert700(FIGS. 13A and 13B). The various types of adapter inserts will now be described in detail.

Referring toFIGS. 10A and 10B, the unthreaded high-fidelity adapter insert300is an adapter insert especially well suited both for listening to music in combination with a high-fidelity music cartridge insert described herein while preserving enjoyment of a wide dynamic frequency range and also for providing protection against impulse sounds when used in combination with various noise-reduction inserts described herein. The unthreaded high-fidelity adapter insert300includes a neck portion350, a retention ridge355, a stem portion360, a tip grasping portion365, and a protuberance310. A sound path is defined inside the unthreaded high-fidelity adapter insert300from an entrance end330of the unthreaded high-fidelity adapter insert300to an exit end340of the unthreaded high-fidelity adapter insert300. The retention ridge355is configured to engage the insert grasping portion45of the inner portion40of the channel20of the body portion10, thereby preventing dislodging of the unthreaded high-fidelity adapter insert300while the customizable hearing protection device1is inserted into the ear. The tip grasping portion365is configured to stably hold an eartip. The sound path includes a curvature, by which the sound path is not strictly horizontal but begins in a slightly downward orientation and bends to an essentially horizontal orientation. When the unthreaded high-fidelity adapter insert300is in the body portion10of the customizable hearing protection device1, the protuberance310is disposed within the middle portion50of the channel20of the body portion10. The protuberance310is configured to enter into the sound modifying insert200(FIGS. 7A-7G),201(FIGS. 9A and 9B),950(FIG. 21A), such that pressure of the sound modifying insert surrounding the protuberance310provides a greater seal and, thereby, a greater amount of noise reduction.

Referring toFIGS. 11A and 11B, the threaded noise reduction adapter insert400is especially well suited for noise reduction, to generally reduce the amount of sound coming into the ear. The threaded noise reduction adapter insert400includes a neck portion450, a retention ridge455, a stem portion460having threads465, and a protuberance410. A sound path420is defined inside the threaded noise reduction adapter insert400from an entrance end430of the threaded noise reduction adapter insert400to an exit end440of the threaded noise reduction adapter insert400. The retention ridge455is configured to engage the insert grasping portion45of the inner portion40of the channel20of the body portion10(seeFIGS. 4 and 5, for example), thereby preventing dislodging of the threaded noise reduction adapter insert400while the customizable hearing protection device1is inserted into the ear. The stem portion460having threads465is configured to stably hold a threaded eartip. The sound path420includes a curvature, by which the sound path420is not strictly horizontal but begins in a slightly downward orientation and bends to an essentially horizontal orientation. When the threaded noise reduction adapter insert400is in the body portion10of the customizable hearing protection device1, the protuberance410is disposed within the middle portion50of the channel20of the body portion10. The protuberance410is configured to enter into the sound modifying insert200(FIGS. 7A-7G),201(FIGS. 9A and 9B),950(FIG. 21A), such that pressure of the sound modifying device surrounding the protuberance410provides a greater seal and, thereby, a greater amount of noise reduction.FIGS. 15A and 15Bare schematics illustrating the insertion of a threaded noise reduction adapter insert400into the body portion10of the customizable hearing protection device1.FIGS. 16A and 16Bare schematics illustrating the attachment of an eartip800to the threaded noise reduction adapter insert400.

Referring toFIGS. 12A and 12B, the threaded music adapter insert600is well suited for listening to music, such as from a headphone but not necessarily from a loud concert, when privacy and high-quality sound are desirable but hearing protection from sounds louder than a safe decibel range are not anticipated. The threaded music adapter insert600includes a neck portion650, a retention ridge655, and a stem portion660having threads665. The threaded music adapter insert600lacks a protuberance. A sound path is defined inside the threaded music adapter insert600from an entrance end630of the threaded music adapter insert600to an exit end640of the threaded music adapter insert600. The retention ridge655is configured to engage the insert grasping portion45of the inner portion40of the channel20of the body portion10, thereby preventing dislodging of the threaded music adapter insert600while the customizable hearing protection device1is inserted into the ear. The stem portion660having threads665is designed to stably hold a threaded eartip. The sound path620includes a curvature, by which the sound path620is not strictly horizontal but begins in a slightly downward orientation and bends to an essentially horizontal orientation.

Referring toFIGS. 13A and 13B, the unthreaded music adapter insert700also is well suited for listening to music, such as from a headphone but not necessarily from a loud concert, when privacy and high-quality sound are desirable but hearing protection from sounds louder than a safe decibel range are not anticipated. The unthreaded music adapter insert700includes a neck portion750, a retention ridge755, a stem portion760, and a tip grasping portion765. The unthreaded music adapter insert700lacks a protuberance. A sound path720is defined inside the unthreaded music adapter insert700from an entrance end730of the unthreaded music adapter insert700an exit end740of the unthreaded music adapter insert700. The retention ridge755is configured to engage the insert grasping portion45of the inner portion40of the channel20of the body portion10(seeFIGS. 4 and 14), thereby preventing dislodging of the unthreaded music adapter insert700while the customizable hearing protection device1is inserted into the ear. The tip grasping portion765is designed to stably hold an eartip. The sound path720includes a curvature, by which the sound path720is not strictly horizontal but begins in a slightly downward orientation and bends to an essentially horizontal orientation.

In one example embodiment of the customizable hearing protection device1, the sound modifying insert is an adjustable noise-reduction attachment200as previously described, in which the adjustable noise-reduction attachment200includes a rotatable body220that is rotatable within the outer portion30of the channel20and in which the rotatable body220has a solid center portion250with a thickness that varies with respect to an angle of rotation of the rotatable body220, whereby rotation of the rotatable body220causes a variable thickness of the solid center portion250to block entrance of sound into the sound path of the adapter insert. In such devices, the adapter insert includes a protuberance, disposed within the middle portion50of the channel20, and the solid center portion250presses against the protuberance with a pressure proportional to the thickness of the solid center portion250blocking the entrance of sound into the sound path of the adapter insert. Such devices may further include a loop portion60defined in the body portion10and an interchangeable chip100removably inserted into the loop portion60, the interchangeable chip100having an outer surface150with customized indicia110thereon.

As previously described according to embodiments, the hearing protection device may be configured to accept an interchangeable adapter insert and an interchangeable noise-reduction filter. The interchangeable noise reduction filter allows a user to adjust the reduction of variable hazardous noise entering the ear canal. Rotating the interchangeable noise reduction filter over the sound port opening in the silicone earplug produces a reduction of sound entering the ear canal. However, rotation of the interchangeable noise reduction filter over only the opening in the silicone earplug without the protuberance on the interchangeable threaded adapter insert produces a noise reduction rating (NRR) of approximately 9 to 11 decibels.

It is difficult to manufacture a device for variable noise reduction that is easy to manipulate by the customer especially while the product is in the ear and provides a higher (24 dB) certified NRR. The dilemma for adjustable noise reduction earplugs is the need to have a significant seal over the sound port opening, while still allowing effortless adjustability of the noise reducing mechanism when the device is in the ear.

The difficulty regarding reducing sound and allowing for a higher (24 dB) NRR with a rotational device involves creating a tight closure over the opening in the sound port. In particular, the better or tighter the seal around the rotational/movable part of the device that reduces noise, the harder it is to move the rotational part of the device to cover the sound port opening. To address this issue, the adapter inserts include a flat area to facilitate rotational movement of the sound reducing mechanism. The hearing protection device itself relies on rotation of material over the sound opening, increasing the downward pressure of the material over the sound port opening using a device that is easy for the customer to rotate while in the ear. The protuberance on the interchangeable threaded adapter insert provides an enhancement that increases the NRR from about 9-11 dB to 24 dB.

Furthermore, the actual design of the interchangeable adapter inserts makes it more difficult to remove the adapter when pulling them directly (0 degree) from the earplugs. This allows the product to pass force testing, meaning the device can be removed from the ear canal at 0 degrees and 45 degrees without the attached foam eartip remaining in the ear canal. It also does not allow the adapter insert to rotate in a circle while embedded in the silicone earplug. However, the adapter insert design allows for easy removal from the silicone earplug by applying pressure at a downward angle to the adapter insert.

The hearing protection devices of this disclosure possess additional distinct advantages. First, they are easy to rotate, providing a variable interchangeable noise reduction filter beyond a traditional “Open/Close” option. Second, they have lower starting sound reduction and higher certified NRR than other adjustable earplugs in the industry. Third, they have numerous interchangeable noise reduction and sound manipulation accessories.

Conventional hearing protection products may advertise an average noise reduction, however this is NOT the actual NRR. They may advertise a 30 dB noise reduction, but not a NRR. In addition, products that offer a higher NRR using an open and close method, have a higher starting NRR (in the open position) before customers activate the technology and close the opening over the sound port. Other products may advertise a high decibel reduction based on a single frequency or may advertise an average noise reduction. However, measurements such as average attenuation are not equivalent to a certified NRR. The NRR testing evaluates lower frequencies such as 125 Hz into the overall calculations of the certified rating. Numerous products can significantly decrease the high frequency energy, but fall short in regards to decreasing the low frequency sounds. In order to decrease the low frequency region, the product must have a consistent tight seal over the sound port opening.

The hearing protection devices according to embodiments herein enables effortless sound reduction manipulations through contact with the protuberance on the interchangeable threaded adapter inserts. In addition, the protuberance on the interchangeable high-fidelity adapter inserts enable for consistent flat response for music. Again, the protuberance on the high-fidelity adapter insert is the only way the hearing protection device can transition into a certified high-fidelity music earplug.

The High-Fidelity Music Filters described herein function differently. Simplistically, the human ear is designed to increase certain high frequencies. When a person plugs an ear with a customary earplug, they eliminate the “Natural Ear Canal Resonance” of sound, especially in these high frequency regions. To achieve a linear attenuation of sound traveling to the hearing organ, the product must account for several items including, but not limited to the length, volume, curvature, and diameter of the opening in the sound port. Linear attenuation is correlated with more natural hearing when using passive hearing protection.

The Linear Attenuation High-Fidelity Music Filters described herein are appropriate for use by musicians, music lovers, and concert goers and anywhere communication in noise is essential. The filters provide a tuned, essentially flat attenuation response over the entire frequency range. The natural sound of live concert music will be maintained, but at a safer, lower level. These filters provide the needed sound attenuation for all music listeners or performers, but also satisfy the most discerning audiophiles. They are also beneficial for preserving speech in noisy environments such as restaurants, night clubs, festivals, and public transportation.

Further embodiments are directed to kits for assembling a customizable hearing protection device according to embodiments herein from components of the customizable hearing protection device as described herein. The kits may include at least one body portion; a sound modifying insert selected from an adjustable noise-reduction attachment, a speaker, a high-fidelity music cartridge insert, or a combination thereof; at least one adapter insert; and at least one eartip. In some embodiments of the kits, the body portion comprises a loop portion defined in the body portion, and the kit further includes at least one interchangeable chip operable to be inserted in the loop portion. The at least one interchangeable chip may include an outer surface having customized indicia thereon. In some embodiments, the at least one body portion includes a first body portion configured for use in a left ear of a wearer and a second body portion configured for use in a right ear of a wearer.

It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. The term “substantially” is used herein also to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. Thus, it is used to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation, referring to an arrangement of elements or features that, while in theory would be expected to exhibit exact correspondence or behavior, may in practice embody something less than exact.

As used herein, the terms “horizontal” and “vertical” are relative terms only, are indicative of a general relative orientation only, and do not necessarily indicate perpendicularity. These terms also may be used for convenience to refer to orientations used in the figures, which orientations are used as a matter of convention only and are not intended as characteristic of the devices shown. The present invention and the embodiments thereof to be described herein may be used in any desired orientation. Moreover, horizontal and vertical walls need generally only be intersecting walls, and need not be perpendicular. Similarly, though directional terms such as “above,” “below,” “top,” and “bottom” may be used with reference to various figures to describe relative orientations in the figures, these and other such relative terms should not be interpreted to mean that only one orientation is possible in practice or as part of any particular embodiment.

It should be understood that where a first component is described as “comprising” or “including” a second component, it is contemplated that, in some embodiments, the first component “consists” or “consists essentially of” the second component. Additionally, the term “consisting essentially of” is used in this disclosure to refer to quantitative values that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the disclosure.

It should be understood that any two quantitative values assigned to a property or measurement may constitute a range of that property or measurement, and all combinations of ranges formed from all stated quantitative values of a given property or measurement are contemplated in this disclosure.