Patent Publication Number: US-2023164472-A1

Title: Extended eartips

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a non provisional of and claims priority to U.S. Pat. App. No. 63/248,601, filed 23 Nov. 2021, the disclosure of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to devices that modify acoustic attenuation and reflection, and more particularly, though not exclusively, eartips that can be inserted into an ear canal. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One of the current issues with hearing protection and hearing assistance systems is stability and comfort. A stent portion of an eartip typically attaches to a protrusion of an earphone, the stent having an acoustic channel. A tip portion, which contacts the ear canal of a user, is attached to the stent. Conventional eartips do not have a tip portion that extends beyond the end of the stent. Thus a conventional tip portion can be limited to the extent of insertion into a user&#39;s ear canal, and thus limited to retention contact surface and stability. 
     An eartip is needed that can position the contact portion beyond the extent of the stent. 
     SUMMARY 
     An exemplary embodiment is directed to an eartip comprising: a stent; a tip contact portion; and a tip support, wherein the tip support is connected between the stent and the tip contact portion, wherein the tip contact portion has a contact portion distal tip end that extents beyond a stent distal end, and wherein the tip support separates an interior of the eartip into a forward cavity and a rearward cavity. 
     The tip support can be a sweep forward tip support, a sweep back tip support, a horizontal tip support or a hybrid tip support including at least two of a sweep forward support, a sweep back support, or a horizontal support or a combination thereof. 
     Where the distance between the contact portion distal tip end and the a stent distal end can be greater than 2 mm and less than 10 mm. 
     Where the stent can be configured to include a recess, wherein the recess is configured to fit an earphone protrusion. Where the cross section can be circular or oval. Where the eartip can be composed of a material that has a shore A between 5 and 70, and where various parts of the eartips can be composed of different materials or materials with different durometers (e.g., Shore A) values. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a cartilaginous region and a bony region of an ear canal; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates general physiology of an ear; 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic diagram of a system for utilizing eartips according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic diagram of a machine in the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies or operations of the systems and methods for utilizing an eartip according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a molded eartip prior to folding back to form eartip; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a cut away of the eartip in  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a cut away of a final eartip with a folded edge over a ridge; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a cut away of a final eartip with a folded edge pressing up against a ridge; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a back or anti-distal view of a circular cross sectional eartip formed by folding the edge up against eth ridge; 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a side view of the eartip of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a cut away of an earphone with a conventional eartip attached; 
         FIG.  12    illustrates an oval cross-section eartip; 
         FIG.  13    illustrates a cut away of the eartip of  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIG.  14    illustrates a cross-section of a sweep back support eartip; 
         FIG.  15    illustrates a cross-section of a sweep forward support eartip; 
         FIG.  16    illustrates a cross-section of a horizontal support eartip; and 
         FIG.  17    illustrates a cross-section of a hybrid support eartip. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description of exemplary embodiment(s) is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
     Exemplary embodiments are directed to or can be operatively used on various passive earplugs for hearing protection or electronic wired or wireless earpiece devices (e.g., hearing aids, ear monitors, earbuds, headphones, ear terminal, behind the ear devices or other acoustic devices as known by one of ordinary skill, and equivalents). For example, the earpieces can be without transducers (for a noise attenuation application in a hearing protective earplug) or one or more transducers (e.g. ambient sound microphone (ASM), ear canal microphone (ECM), ear canal receiver (ECR)) for monitoring/providing sound. In all of the examples illustrated and discussed herein, any specific values should be interpreted to be illustrative only and non-limiting. Thus, other examples of the exemplary embodiments could have different values. 
     Processes, techniques, apparatus, and materials as known by one of ordinary skill in the art may not be discussed in detail but are intended to be part of the enabling description where appropriate. For example specific materials may not be listed for achieving each of the targeted properties discussed, however one of ordinary skill would be able, without undo experimentation, to determine the materials needed given the enabling disclosure herein. 
     Notice that similar reference numerals and letters refer to similar items in the following figures, and thus once an item is defined in one figure, it may not be discussed or further defined in the following figures. Processes, techniques, apparatus, and materials as known by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail but are intended to be part of the enabling description where appropriate. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a generic cross section of an ear canal  100 , including a cartilaginous region  140  and a bony region  130  of an ear canal  120 . The entrance of the ear canal  120  is referred to as the aperture  150  and defines a first end of the ear canal while the tympanic membrane  110  defines the other end of the ear canal  120 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates general outer physiology of an ear, which includes a, auricle tubercle  210 , the antihelix  220 , the helix  230 , the antitragus  240 , tragus  250 , lobule of ear  260 , crus of helix  270 , anterior notch  280 , and intertragic incisures  290 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , a system  300  and methods for utilizing eartips and/or earphone devices are disclosed. 
     The system  300  may be configured to support, but is not limited to supporting, data and content services, audio processing applications and services, audio output and/or input applications and services, applications and services for transmitting and receiving audio content, authentication applications and services, computing applications and services, cloud computing services, internet services, satellite services, telephone services, software as a service (SaaS) applications, platform-as-a-service (PaaS) applications, gaming applications and services, social media applications and services, productivity applications and services, voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) applications and services, speech-to-text translation applications and services, interactive voice applications and services, mobile applications and services, and any other computing applications and services. The system may include a first user  301 , who may utilize a first user device  302  to access data, content, and applications, or to perform a variety of other tasks and functions. As an example, the first user  301  may utilize first user device  302  to access an application (e.g. a browser or a mobile application) executing on the first user device  302  that may be utilized to access web pages, data, and content associated with the system  300 . In certain embodiments, the first user  301  may be any type of user that may potentially desire to listen to audio content, such as from, but not limited to, a music playlist accessible via the first user device  302 , a telephone call that the first user  301  is participating in, audio content occurring in an environment in proximity to the first user  301 , any other type of audio content, or a combination thereof. For example, the first user  301  may be an individual that may be participating in a telephone call with another user, such as second user  320 . 
     The first user device  302  utilized by the first user  301  may include a memory  303  that includes instructions, and a processor  304  that executes the instructions from the memory  303  to perform the various operations that are performed by the first user device  302 . In certain embodiments, the processor  304  may be hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The first user device  302  may also include an interface  305  (e.g. screen, monitor, graphical user interface, etc.) that may enable the first user  301  to interact with various applications executing on the first user device  302 , to interact with various applications executing within the system  300 , and to interact with the system  300  itself. In certain embodiments, the first user device  302  may include any number of transducers, such as, but not limited to, microphones, speakers, any type of audio-based transducer, any type of transducer, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the first user device  302  may be a computer, a laptop, a tablet device, a phablet, a server, a mobile device, a smartphone, a smart watch, and/or any other type of computing device. Illustratively, the first user device  302  is shown as a mobile device in  FIG.  3   . The first user device  302  may also include a global positioning system (GPS), which may include a GPS receiver and any other necessary components for enabling GPS functionality, accelerometers, gyroscopes, sensors, and any other componentry suitable for a mobile device. 
     In addition to using first user device  302 , the first user  301  may also utilize and/or have access to a second user device  306  and a third user device  310 . As with first user device  302 , the first user  301  may utilize the second and third user devices  306 ,  310  to transmit signals to access various online services and content. The second user device  306  may include a memory  307  that includes instructions, and a processor  308  that executes the instructions from the memory  307  to perform the various operations that are performed by the second user device  306 . In certain embodiments, the processor  308  may be hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The second user device  306  may also include an interface  309  that may enable the first user  301  to interact with various applications executing on the second user device  306  and to interact with the system  300 . In certain embodiments, the second user device  306  may include any number of transducers, such as, but not limited to, microphones, speakers, any type of audio-based transducer, any type of transducer, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the second user device  306  may be and/or may include a computer, any type of sensor, a laptop, a set-top-box, a tablet device, a phablet, a server, a mobile device, a smartphone, a smart watch, and/or any other type of computing device. Illustratively, the second user device  302  is shown as a smart watch device in  FIG.  3   . 
     The third user device  310  may include a memory  311  that includes instructions, and a processor  312  that executes the instructions from the memory  311  to perform the various operations that are performed by the third user device  310 . In certain embodiments, the processor  312  may be hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The third user device  310  may also include an interface  313  that may enable the first user  301  to interact with various applications executing on the second user device  306  and to interact with the system  300 . In certain embodiments, the third user device  310  may include any number of transducers, such as, but not limited to, microphones, speakers, any type of audio-based transducer, any type of transducer, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the third user device  310  may be and/or may include a computer, any type of sensor, a laptop, a set-top-box, a tablet device, a phablet, a server, a mobile device, a smartphone, a smart watch, and/or any other type of computing device. Illustratively, the third user device  310  is shown as a smart watch device in  FIG.  3   . 
     The first, second, and/or third user devices  302 ,  306 ,  330  may belong to and/or form a communications network  316 . In certain embodiments, the communications network  316  may be a local, mesh, or other network that facilitates communications among the first, second, and/or third user devices  302 ,  306 ,  310  and/or any other devices, programs, and/or networks of system  300  or outside system  300 . In certain embodiments, the communications network  316  may be formed between the first, second, and third user devices  302 ,  306 ,  310  through the use of any type of wireless or other protocol and/or technology. For example, the first, second, and third user devices  302 ,  306 ,  310  may communicate with one another in the communications network  316 , such as by utilizing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), classic Bluetooth, ZigBee, cellular, NFC, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, ANT+, IEEE 802.15.4, IEEE 802.22, ISA100a, infrared, ISM band, RFID, UWB, Wireless HD, Wireless USB, any other protocol and/or wireless technology, satellite, fiber, or any combination thereof. Notably, the communications network  316  may be configured to communicatively link with and/or communicate with any other network of the system  300  and/or outside the system  300 . 
     The system  300  may also include an earphone device  315 , which the first user  301  may utilize to hear and/or audition audio content, transmit audio content, receive audio content, experience any type of content, process audio content, adjust audio content, store audio content, perform any type of operation with respect to audio content, or a combination thereof. The earphone device  315  may be an earpiece, a hearing aid, an ear monitor, an ear terminal, a behind-the-ear device, any type of acoustic device, or a combination thereof. The earphone device  315  may include any type of component utilized for any type of earpiece. In certain embodiments, the earphone device  315  may include any number of ambient sound microphones that may be configured to capture and/or measure ambient sounds and/or audio content occurring in an environment that the earphone device  315  is present in and/or is proximate to. In certain embodiments, the ambient sound microphones may be placed at a location or locations on the earphone device  315  that are conducive to capturing and measuring ambient sounds occurring in the environment. For example, the ambient sound microphones may be positioned in proximity to a distal end (e.g. the end of the earphone device  315  that is not inserted into the first user&#39;s  301  ear) of the earphone device  315  such that the ambient sound microphones are in an optimal position to capture ambient or other sounds occurring in the environment. In certain embodiments, the earphone device  315  may include any number of ear canal microphones, which may be configured to capture and/or measure sounds occurring in an ear canal of the first user  301  or other user wearing the earphone device  315 . In certain embodiments, the ear canal microphones may be positioned in proximity to a proximal end (e.g. the end of the earphone device  315  that is inserted into the first user&#39;s  301  ear) of the earphone device  315  such that sounds occurring in the ear canal of the first user  301  may be captured more readily. 
     The earphone device  315  may also include any number of transceivers, which may be configured transmit signals to and/or receive signals from any of the devices in the system  300 . In certain embodiments, a transceiver of the earphone device  315  may facilitate wireless connections and/or transmissions between the earphone device  315  and any device in the system  300 , such as, but not limited to, the first user device  302 , the second user device  306 , the third user device  310 , the fourth user device  321 , the fifth user device  325 , the earphone device  330 , the servers  340 ,  345 ,  350 ,  360 , and the database  355 . The earphone device  315  may also include any number of memories for storing content and/or instructions, processors that execute the instructions from the memories to perform the operations for the earphone device  315 , and/or any type integrated circuit for facilitating the operation of the earphone device  315 . In certain embodiments, the processors may comprise, hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The earphone device  315  may also include one or more ear canal receivers, which may be speakers for outputting sound into the ear canal of the first user  301 . The ear canal receivers may output sounds obtained via the ear canal microphones, ambient sound microphones, any of the devices in the system  300 , from a storage device of the earphone device  315 , or any combination thereof. 
     The ear canal receivers, ear canal microphones, transceivers, memories, processors, integrated circuits, and/or ear canal receivers may be affixed to an electronics package that includes a flexible electronics board. The earphone device  315  may include an electronics packaging housing that may house the ambient sound microphones, ear canal microphones, ear canal receivers (i.e., speakers), electronics supporting the functionality of the microphones and/or receivers, transceivers for receiving and/or transmitting signals, power sources (e.g., batteries and the like), any circuitry facilitating the operation of the earphone device  315 , or any combination thereof. The electronics package including the flexible electronics board may be housed within the electronics packaging housing to form an electronics packaging unit. The earphone device  315  may further include an earphone housing, which may include receptacles, openings, and/or keyed recesses for connecting the earphone housing to the electronics packaging housing and/or the electronics package. For example, nozzles of the electronics packaging housing may be inserted into one or more keyed recesses of the earphone housing so as to connect and secure the earphone housing to the electronics packaging housing. When the earphone housing is connected to the electronics packaging housing, the combination of the earphone housing and the electronics packaging housing may form the earphone device  315 . The earphone device  315  may further include a cap for securing the electronics packaging housing, the earphone housing, and the electronics package together to form the earphone device  315 . 
     In certain embodiments, the earphone device  315  may be configured to have any number of changeable tips, which may be utilized to facilitate the insertion of the earphone device  315  into an ear aperture of an ear of the first user  301 , secure the earphone device  315  within the ear canal of an ear of the first user  301 , and/or to isolate sound within the ear canal of the first user  301 . The tips may be foam tips, which may be affixed onto an end of the earphone housing of the earphone device  315 , such as onto a stent and/or attachment mechanism of the earphone housing. In certain embodiments, the tips may be any type of eartip as disclosed and described in the present disclosure. The eartips as disclosed in the present disclosure may be configured to facilitate distributed reduced contact force, sound isolation for sound in the ear canal of the first user  301  (i.e. between the ambient environment and the ear canal environment within an ear of the first user  301 ), mold into a variety of forms and/or positions, encapsulate volumes upon insertion into an ear aperture of the first user  301 , have a pressure adjusting design, facilitate notched stent retention (i.e. on a stent of the earphone housing), facilitate stent insertion into an ear canal of the first user  301  via an ear aperture of the first user  301 , or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the eartip may be designed to provide sound isolation capability that is at least as effective as conventional foam and/or flange tips. Notably, the eartips may be manufactured and configured to be made in any desired size specifications and/or materials, and may be tailored to each individual user, such as first user  301 . In contrast to conventional foam or flange tips, an eartip according to the present disclosure may be adjusted for size without having to substitute the eartip with another eartip, may have an EPA NRR rating of NRR=18, may have a unique flatter high frequency attenuation profile so as to maintain audio quality, may have ease of manufacturability, and may be designed to distribute contact force and minimize radial force against a user&#39;s ear canal walls when positioned in a user&#39;s ear canal. Additionally, an eartip according to the present disclosure may be made of a non-porous material that is not closed cell foam or open cell foam. 
     In certain embodiments, the eartip may be designed so that the earphone device&#39;s  315  retention force on the ear canal walls of the first user  301  may be distributed over a larger area than traditional foam or flange tips allow, thereby reducing the pressure on the ear canal walls of the first user  10 . Unlike foam tips, which primarily provide a restoring radial force that exerts pressure against the ear canal walls of a user, the eartip is designed to move both radially and axially, which allows for more give and redistribution of contact over a larger area, and, thus, decreases the retention pressure. As a result, this allows for increased comfort for the user and allows the user to utilize the eartip for an extended period of time when compared to traditional foam and/or flange tips. In certain embodiments, the eartip utilized with the earphone device  315  may be configured to encapsulate a volume of gas and/or liquid. In either case (i.e. gas or liquid), the bulk of sound isolation provided by the eartip is achieved through the reflection of ambient sound waves so that the encapsulated volume can be low mass. In certain embodiments, portions of the eartip may encapsulate a volume with the ability to release volume when pressed upon without having to incorporate complicated valves. The encapsulated volume may be achieved by the ear canal wall pressing radially and/or axially against the outer surfaces of the eartip, which may force the outer portion of the eartip to seal with the inner portion of the eartip. In certain embodiments, the inner portion of the eartip may be small than the outer diameter of the stent of the earphone housing upon which the eartip is placed so that upon insertion of the eartip on the stent, the inner portion stretches outward to meet the outer surface of the eartip, which further facilitates the sealing of the ear canal of the first user  301 . 
     In certain embodiments, the stent of the eartip, over which the eartip is placed, may be designed to have a smaller diameter front end and a larger diameter middle section to promote retention of the eartip on the stent itself. In certain embodiments, a portion of the eartip may have an inner core diameter that is smaller than the stent outer diameter so that the eartip provides radial compression upon the stent so as to enhance sealing and to add friction to prevent axial slippage within the ear canal of the first user  301 . In certain embodiments, an increased mid-section inner core diameter of the eartip may be utilized (i.e., larger than the smaller inner core diameter of the eartip), which may be configured to line up with the mid-section outer diameter of the stent of the earphone housing of the earphone device  315 . This may provide axial stability for the earphone device  315 , while simultaneously preventing axial slippage from the ear canal of the first user  301 . In certain embodiments, the eartip may have an insertion end that has a funnel shape, which aids in inserting the eartip onto the stent of the earphone housing of the earphone device  315 . 
     In certain embodiments, the eartip has a configuration that applies minimal force against the first user&#39;s  301  ear canal. Additionally, the eartip can seal the first user&#39;s  301  ear canal by providing at least 15 dB of attenuation across frequency. To facilitate manufacturability, the eartip may be molded inverted, thereby allowing inexpensive mass production. Lips of the eartip may then be folded to contact ledges to for the eartip that may be utilized by the first user  301 . Sealing and comfort depend upon an accurate fit within the first user&#39;s  301  ear canal, and, as a result, eartips according to the present disclosure may be manufactured in several single sizes, and, because of the unique design of the eartips, a single eartip may be adjusted to fit multiple sizes, which minimizes manufacturing costs, while allowing for more flexibility, versatility, and for a greater number of sizes for the eartip. Notably, any of the features of any of the eartips described in the present disclosure may be combined and/or interchanged with any other eartips described in the present disclosure. Furthermore, the shape, size, features and/or functionality of any of the components of the earphone device and/or hearbud housing device described in the present disclosure may be modified for each particular user for the shape and size of each user&#39;s ear aperture and/or ear canal, or a combination thereof. 
     Notably, in experiments conducted using the eartip, the experiments have shown that the eartip allows for similar levels of sound isolation when compared to conventional foam and/or flange tips. For example, experiments have shown that the eartips provided in the present disclosure provided a NRR of 18 with a generally flat high frequency profile. A flat attenuation profile maintains an ambient environment&#39;s frequency profile when level reduced by the attenuation, which can be useful in maintaining the quality of ambient speech and music (or other audio content) during the level reduction process. 
     In further embodiments, the eartip may be configured to have an open configuration prior to insertion onto a stent of the earphone housing and/or the earphone device  315  itself. By having an open configuration, the eartip may be mass produced using conventional molding techniques and/or by utilizing 3D commercial printers. The open configuration of the eartip also facilitates molding, and can be 3D printed, where the open configuration allows for resin removal. For example, resin removal may be achieved by utilizing commercial 3D printers that allow the use of lower durometer materials, such as Stratasys machines and the like. In certain embodiments, since the eartip has an open configuration, which is then sealed, any additional pressure can force encapsulated gas out of the eartip relieving the feedback pressure so as to keep the comfort level for the first user  301  relatively stable. 
     In addition to the first user  301 , the system  300  may include a second user  320 , who may utilize a fourth user device  321  to access data, content, and applications, or to perform a variety of other tasks and functions. Much like the first user  301 , the second user  320  may be may be any type of user that may potentially desire to listen to audio content, such as from, but not limited to, a storage device of the fourth user device  321 , a telephone call that the second user  320  is participating in, audio content occurring in an environment in proximity to the second user  320 , any other type of audio content, or a combination thereof. For example, the second user  320  may be an individual that may be listening to songs stored in a playlist that resides on the fourth user device  321 . Also, much like the first user  301 , the second user  320  may utilize fourth user device  321  to access an application (e.g. a browser or a mobile application) executing on the fourth user device  321  that may be utilized to access web pages, data, and content associated with the system  300 . The fourth user device  321  may include a memory  322  that includes instructions, and a processor  323  that executes the instructions from the memory  322  to perform the various operations that are performed by the fourth user device  321 . In certain embodiments, the processor  323  may be hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The fourth user device  321  may also include an interface  324  (e.g. a screen, a monitor, a graphical user interface, etc.) that may enable the second user  320  to interact with various applications executing on the fourth user device  321 , to interact with various applications executing in the system  300 , and to interact with the system  300 . In certain embodiments, the fourth user device  321  may include any number of transducers, such as, but not limited to, microphones, speakers, any type of audio-based transducer, any type of transducer, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the fourth user device  321  may be a computer, a laptop, a tablet device, a phablet, a server, a mobile device, a smartphone, a smart watch, and/or any other type of computing device. Illustratively, the fourth user device  321  may be a computing device in  FIG.  3   . The fourth user device  321  may also include any of the componentry described for first user device  302 , the second user device  306 , and/or the third user device  310 . In certain embodiments, the fourth user device  321  may also include a global positioning system (GPS), which may include a GPS receiver and any other necessary components for enabling GPS functionality, accelerometers, gyroscopes, sensors, and any other componentry suitable for a computing device. 
     In addition to using fourth user device  321 , the second user  320  may also utilize and/or have access to a fifth user device  325 . As with fourth user device  321 , the second user  320  may utilize the fourth and fifth user devices  321 ,  325  to transmit signals to access various online services and content. The fifth user device  325  may include a memory  326  that includes instructions, and a processor  327  that executes the instructions from the memory  326  to perform the various operations that are performed by the fifth user device  325 . In certain embodiments, the processor  327  may be hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The fifth user device  325  may also include an interface  328  that may enable the second user  320  to interact with various applications executing on the fifth user device  325  and to interact with the system  300 . In certain embodiments, the fifth user device  325  may include any number of transducers, such as, but not limited to, microphones, speakers, any type of audio-based transducer, any type of transducer, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the fifth user device  325  may be and/or may include a computer, any type of sensor, a laptop, a set-top-box, a tablet device, a phablet, a server, a mobile device, a smartphone, a smart watch, and/or any other type of computing device. Illustratively, the fifth user device  325  is shown as a tablet device in  FIG.  3   . 
     The fourth and fifth user devices  321 ,  325  may belong to and/or form a communications network  331 . In certain embodiments, the communications network  331  may be a local, mesh, or other network that facilitates communications between the fourth and fifth user devices  321 ,  325 , and/or any other devices, programs, and/or networks of system  300  or outside system  300 . In certain embodiments, the communications network  331  may be formed between the fourth and fifth user devices  321 ,  325  through the use of any type of wireless or other protocol and/or technology. For example, the fourth and fifth user devices  321 ,  325  may communicate with one another in the communications network  316 , such as by utilizing BLE, classic Bluetooth, ZigBee, cellular, NFC, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, ANT+, IEEE 802.15.4, IEEE 802.22, ISA100a, infrared, ISM band, RFID, UWB, Wireless HD, Wireless USB, any other protocol and/or wireless technology, satellite, fiber, or any combination thereof. Notably, the communications network  331  may be configured to communicatively link with and/or communicate with any other network of the system  300  and/or outside the system  300 . 
     Much like first user  301 , the second user  320  may have his or her own earphone device  330 . The earphone device  330  may be utilized by the second user  320  to hear and/or audition audio content, transmit audio content, receive audio content, experience any type of content, process audio content, adjust audio content, store audio content, perform any type of operation with respect to audio content, or a combination thereof. The earphone device  330  may be an earpiece, a hearing aid, an ear monitor, an ear terminal, a behind-the-ear device, any type of acoustic device, or a combination thereof. The earphone device  330  may include any type of component utilized for any type of earpiece, and may include any of the features, functionality and/or components described and/or usable with earphone device  315 . For example, earphone device  330  may include any number of transceivers, ear canal microphones, ambient sound microphones, processors, memories, housings, eartips, foam tips, flanges, any other component, or any combination thereof. 
     In certain embodiments, the first, second, third, fourth, and/or fifth user devices  302 ,  306 ,  310 ,  321 ,  325  and/or earphone devices  315 ,  330  may have any number of software applications and/or application services stored and/or accessible thereon. For example, the first and second user devices  302 ,  311  may include applications for processing audio content, applications for playing, editing, transmitting, and/or receiving audio content, streaming media applications, speech-to-text translation applications, cloud-based applications, search engine applications, natural language processing applications, database applications, algorithmic applications, phone-based applications, product-ordering applications, business applications, e-commerce applications, media streaming applications, content-based applications, database applications, gaming applications, internet-based applications, browser applications, mobile applications, service-based applications, productivity applications, video applications, music applications, social media applications, presentation applications, any other type of applications, any types of application services, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the software applications and services may include one or more graphical user interfaces so as to enable the first and second users  301 ,  320  to readily interact with the software applications. The software applications and services may also be utilized by the first and second users  301 ,  320  to interact with any device in the system  300 , any network in the system  300  (e.g. communications networks  316 ,  331 ,  335 ), or any combination thereof. For example, the software applications executing on the first, second, third, fourth, and/or fifth user devices  302 ,  306 ,  310 ,  321 ,  325  and/or earphone devices  315 ,  330  may be applications for receiving data, applications for storing data, applications for auditioning, editing, storing and/or processing audio content, applications for receiving demographic and preference information, applications for transforming data, applications for executing mathematical algorithms, applications for generating and transmitting electronic messages, applications for generating and transmitting various types of content, any other type of applications, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the first, second, third, fourth, and/or fifth user devices  302 ,  306 ,  310 ,  321 ,  325  and/or earphone devices  315 ,  330  may include associated telephone numbers, internet protocol addresses, device identities, or any other identifiers to uniquely identify the first, second, third, fourth, and/or fifth user devices  302 ,  306 ,  310 ,  321 ,  325  and/or earphone devices  315 ,  330  and/or the first and second users  301 ,  320 . In certain embodiments, location information corresponding to the first, second, third, fourth, and/or fifth user devices  302 ,  306 ,  310 ,  321 ,  325  and/or earphone devices  315 ,  330  may be obtained based on the internet protocol addresses, by receiving a signal from the first, second, third, fourth, and/or fifth user devices  302 ,  306 ,  310 ,  321 ,  325  and/or earphone devices  315 ,  330  or based on profile information corresponding to the first, second, third, fourth, and/or fifth user devices  302 ,  306 ,  310 ,  321 ,  325  and/or earphone devices  315 ,  330 . 
     The system  300  may also include a communications network  335 . The communications network  335  may be under the control of a service provider, the first and/or second users  301 ,  320 , any other designated user, or a combination thereof. The communications network  335  of the system  300  may be configured to link each of the devices in the system  300  to one another. For example, the communications network  335  may be utilized by the first user device  302  to connect with other devices within or outside communications network  335 . Additionally, the communications network  335  may be configured to transmit, generate, and receive any information and data traversing the system  300 . In certain embodiments, the communications network  335  may include any number of servers, databases, or other componentry. The communications network  335  may also include and be connected to a mesh network, a local network, a cloud-computing network, an IMS network, a VoIP network, a security network, a VoLTE network, a wireless network, an Ethernet network, a satellite network, a broadband network, a cellular network, a private network, a cable network, the Internet, an internet protocol network, MPLS network, a content distribution network, any network, or any combination thereof. Illustratively, servers  340 ,  345 , and  350  are shown as being included within communications network  335 . In certain embodiments, the communications network  335  may be part of a single autonomous system that is located in a particular geographic region, or be part of multiple autonomous systems that span several geographic regions. 
     Notably, the functionality of the system  300  may be supported and executed by using any combination of the servers  340 ,  345 ,  350 , and  360 . The servers  340 ,  345 , and  350  may reside in communications network  335 , however, in certain embodiments, the servers  340 ,  345 ,  350  may reside outside communications network  335 . The servers  340 ,  345 , and  350  may provide and serve as a server service that performs the various operations and functions provided by the system  300 . In certain embodiments, the server  340  may include a memory  341  that includes instructions, and a processor  342  that executes the instructions from the memory  341  to perform various operations that are performed by the server  340 . The processor  342  may be hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Similarly, the server  345  may include a memory  346  that includes instructions, and a processor  347  that executes the instructions from the memory  346  to perform the various operations that are performed by the server  345 . Furthermore, the server  350  may include a memory  351  that includes instructions, and a processor  352  that executes the instructions from the memory  351  to perform the various operations that are performed by the server  350 . In certain embodiments, the servers  340 ,  345 ,  350 , and  360  may be network servers, routers, gateways, switches, media distribution hubs, signal transfer points, service control points, service switching points, firewalls, routers, edge devices, nodes, computers, mobile devices, or any other suitable computing device, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the servers  340 ,  345 ,  350  may be communicatively linked to the communications network  335 , the communications network  316 , the communications network  331 , any network, any device in the system  300 , any program in the system  300 , or any combination thereof. 
     The database  355  of the system  300  may be utilized to store and relay information that traverses the system  300 , cache content that traverses the system  300 , store data about each of the devices in the system  300  and perform any other typical functions of a database. In certain embodiments, the database  355  may be connected to or reside within the communications network  335 , the communications network  316 , the communications network  331 , any other network, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the database  355  may serve as a central repository for any information associated with any of the devices and information associated with the system  300 . Furthermore, the database  355  may include a processor and memory or be connected to a processor and memory to perform the various operation associated with the database  355 . In certain embodiments, the database  355  may be connected to the earphone devices  315 ,  330 , the servers  340 ,  345 ,  350 ,  360 , the first user device  302 , the second user device  306 , the third user device  310 , the fourth user device  321 , the fifth user device  325 , any devices in the system  300 , any other device, any network, or any combination thereof. 
     The database  355  may also store information and metadata obtained from the system  300 , store metadata and other information associated with the first and second users  301 ,  320 , store user profiles associated with the first and second users  301 ,  320 , store device profiles associated with any device in the system  300 , store communications traversing the system  300 , store user preferences, store information associated with any device or signal in the system  300 , store information relating to patterns of usage relating to the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth user devices  302 ,  306 ,  310 ,  321 ,  325 , store audio content associated with the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth user devices  302 ,  306 ,  310 ,  321 ,  325  and/or earphone devices  315 ,  330 , store audio content and/or information associated with the audio content that is captured by the ambient sound microphones, store audio content and/or information associated with audio content that is captured by ear canal microphones, store any information obtained from any of the networks in the system  300 , store audio content and/or information associated with audio content that is outputted by ear canal receivers of the system  300 , store any information and/or signals transmitted and/or received by transceivers of the system  300 , store any device and/or capability specifications relating to the earphone devices  315 ,  330 , store historical data associated with the first and second users  301 ,  315 , store information relating to the size (e.g. depth, height, width, curvatures, etc.) and/or shape of the first and/or second user&#39;s  301 ,  320  ear canals and/or ears, store information identifying and or describing any eartip utilized with the earphone devices  301 ,  315 , store device characteristics for any of the devices in the system  300 , store information relating to any devices associated with the first and second users  301 ,  320 , store any information associated with the earphone devices  315 ,  330 , store log on sequences and/or authentication information for accessing any of the devices of the system  300 , store information associated with the communications networks  316 ,  331 , store any information generated and/or processed by the system  300 , store any of the information disclosed for any of the operations and functions disclosed for the system  300  herewith, store any information traversing the system  300 , or any combination thereof. Furthermore, the database  355  may be configured to process queries sent to it by any device in the system  300 . 
     The system  300  may also include a software application, which may be configured to perform and support the operative functions of the system  300 , such as the operative functions of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth user devices  302 ,  306 ,  310 ,  321 ,  325  and/or the earphone devices  315 ,  330 . In certain embodiments, the application may be a website, a mobile application, a software application, or a combination thereof, which may be made accessible to users utilizing one or more computing devices, such as the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth user devices  302 ,  306 ,  310 ,  321 ,  325  and/or the earphone devices  315 ,  330 . The application of the system  300  may be accessible via an internet connection established with a browser program or other application executing on the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth user devices  302 ,  306 ,  310 ,  321 ,  325  and/or the earphone devices  315 ,  330 , a mobile application executing on the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth user devices  302 ,  306 ,  310 ,  321 ,  325  and/or the earphone devices  315 ,  330 , or through other suitable means. Additionally, the application may allow users and computing devices to create accounts with the application and sign-in to the created accounts with authenticating username and password log-in combinations. The application may include a custom graphical user interface that the first user  301  or second user  320  may interact with by utilizing a browser executing on the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth user devices  302 ,  306 ,  310 ,  321 ,  325  and/or the earphone devices  315 ,  330 . In certain embodiments, the software application may execute directly as an installed program on the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth user devices  302 ,  306 ,  310 ,  321 ,  325  and/or the earphone devices  315 ,  330 . 
     Referring now also to  FIG.  4   , at least a portion of the methodologies and techniques described with respect to the exemplary embodiments of the system  400  can incorporate a machine, such as, but not limited to, computer system  400 , or other computing device within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies or functions discussed above. The machine may be configured to facilitate various operations conducted by the system  400 . For example, the machine may be configured to, but is not limited to, assist the system  400  by providing processing power to assist with processing loads experienced in the system  400 , by providing storage capacity for storing instructions or data traversing the system  400 , by providing functionality and/or programs for facilitating the operative functionality of the earphone devices  315 ,  330 , and/or the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth user devices  302 ,  306 ,  310 ,  321 ,  325  and/or the earphone devices  315 ,  330 , by providing functionality and/or programs for facilitating operation of any of the components of the earphone devices  315 ,  330  (e.g. ear canal receivers, transceivers, ear canal microphones, ambient sound microphones, or by assisting with any other operations conducted by or within the system  400 . 
     In some embodiments, the machine may operate as a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using communications network  335 , the communications network  316 , the communications network  331 , another network, or a combination thereof) to and assist with operations performed by other machines and systems, such as, but not limited to, the first user device  302 , the second user device  311 , the third user device  310 , the fourth user device  321 , the fifth user device  325 , the earphone device  315 , the earphone device  330 , the server  340 , the server  350 , the database  355 , the server  360 , or any combination thereof. The machine may be connected with any component in the system  400 . In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. 
     The computer system  400  may include a processor  402  (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a main memory  404  and a static memory  406 , which communicate with each other via a bus  408 . The computer system  400  may further include a video display unit  410 , which may be, but is not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT). The computer system  400  may include an input device  412 , such as, but not limited to, a keyboard, a cursor control device  414 , such as, but not limited to, a mouse, a disk drive unit  416 , a signal generation device  418 , such as, but not limited to, a speaker or remote control, and a network interface device  420 . 
     The disk drive unit  416  may include a machine-readable medium  422  on which is stored one or more sets of instructions  424 , such as, but not limited to, software embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions  424  may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory  404 , the static memory  406 , or within the processor  402 , or a combination thereof, during execution thereof by the computer system  400 . The main memory  404  and the processor  402  also may constitute machine-readable media. 
     Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement the methods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardware implementations. 
     In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein are intended for operation as software programs running on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementations can include, but not limited to, distributed processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein. 
     The present disclosure contemplates a machine-readable medium  422  containing instructions  424  so that a device connected to the communications network  335 , the communications network  316 , the communications network  331 , another network, or a combination thereof, can send or receive voice, video or data, and communicate over the communications network  335 , the communications network  316 , the communications network  331 , another network, or a combination thereof, using the instructions. The instructions  424  may further be transmitted or received over the communications network  335 , another network, or a combination thereof, via the network interface device  420 . 
     While the machine-readable medium  422  is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that causes the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure. 
     The terms “machine-readable medium,” “machine-readable device,” or “computer-readable device” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to: memory devices, solid-state memories such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile) memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape; or other self-contained information archive or set of archives is considered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. The “machine-readable medium,” “machine-readable device,” or “computer-readable device” may be non-transitory, and, in certain embodiments, may not include a wave or signal per se. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a machine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the software implementations herein are stored. 
     The illustrations of arrangements described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. Other arrangements may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 
     Thus, although specific arrangements have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific arrangement shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments and arrangements of the invention. Combinations of the above arrangements, and other arrangements not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular arrangement(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments and arrangements falling within the scope of the appended claims. 
     The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention. Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to an artisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can be modified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope and spirit of the claims described below. 
     Note that the stent can be fabricated from various materials (e.g., silicon, urethane, rubber) and can include internal channel (tubes). The stent can also be a multi-lumen (i.e., multi-passageway) stent where the channels/tubes are various lumens of the multi-lumen stent, or solid (e.g., earplug stent). Note that the material of the membrane can have similar or different properties from the stent, and can be composed, as can the stent, of material known by one of ordinary skill in the art of eartip (e.g., flange, foam eartip) manufacturing. Also, the eartip can have a material property between 2 Shore A to 90 Shore A. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates a molded eartip prior to folding back to form eartip. The method can include forming a mold of an unfolded shape of an eartip  500 , providing or supplying a flexible material to the mold for a threshold time and temperature for curing to form a cured inverted eartip  500 , removing the cured inverted eartip and folding the molded distal end  520  over the ridge  540  or against the ridge  540 . The unfolded eartip  500  has a stent  510  which can have within an acoustic channel  610  to carry acoustic energy. The eartip  500  can have an ambient end  530  that fits with a protrusion of an earphone. A recess  620  can fit within the protrusion.  FIG.  6    illustrates a cut away of the eartip in  FIG.  5   . The molded eartip can be formed of various flexible materials including, but not limited to, silicone, rubber (including high strength rubber), urethane, synthetic rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, EVA rubber, Quartz fibre, any other suitable material, or a combination thereof. 
     The Eartip (eartip) can be fabricated by various means, for example injection molding, then sealed with various filler mediums (e.g. gas, liquid, gel), and inserted upon a stent, for example the eartip can have an extension portion that slides over the stent. 
     For example specific materials may not be listed for achieving each of the targeted properties discussed, however one of ordinary skill would be able, without undo experimentation, to determine the materials and thicknesses needed given the enabling disclosure herein. For example Elastosil™ 30A, 70A, High Strength 1, 2, 3, Moldmaking Rubber (Alumilite™ products), flexible 3D printable material, silicon, urethane, natural and synthetic rubber, high strength rubber, chloroprene rubber, EVA rubber, quartz fiber, can be used; however, any material that can be used within the ear canal can be used for eartips and any material that can be used for earphones (silicon, urethane, rubber, plastic, Elastosil, metal, wood, and the like) can be used in the earphone housing and components thereof. As discussed herein, the eartips can be printed on three dimensional printers while provided the Shore A hardiness discussed herein. Various material can also be used for the EPH, for example tough resin (Form Labs) if printed and any other materials, as mentioned if molded. Typical durometer for the in ear portions can be from shore A of 5-40. 
     The eartips can be formed as an inverted shape mold as discussed herein. As an example, the inverted mold can be formed as a partial cylindrical sleeve with the shapes and arrangements disclosed herein. Such manufacturing provides great advantages of reduced cost without sacrificing performance of the eartips. As disclosed, the inverted shape mold allows the user to folder over portions of the eartip to use the eartip. Such eartips can provide the performance disclosed herein while being designed to be disposable. For example provide an NRR rating of at lease 5 dB to 35 dB. 
       FIG.  7    illustrates a cut away of a final eartip  700  with a folded edge (distal end  720 ) over ridge  740 , while  FIG.  8    illustrates a cut away of a final eartip  800  with a folded edge where the molded distal end  820  presses up against the ridge  840 . 
       FIG.  9    illustrates a back or anti-distal view of a circular cross sectional eartip formed by folding the edge up against the ridge having a diameter  910  that can range from 3 mm to 25 mm or any other diameter that is needed to seal the targeted orifice (e.g., ear canal). 
       FIG.  10    illustrates a side view of the eartip of  FIG.  9   , that has a distal end  1010  and an ambient end  1020 . 
       FIG.  11    illustrates a cut away of an earphone  1100  with a conventional eartip attached. The conventional eartip can include: a tip portion  1110 , that contacts the wall of the ear canal; a stent  1120  that can include an acoustic channel having a distal end  1130 , attaching a recess  1150  into an earphone housing protrusion  1140 . 
       FIG.  12    illustrates an oval cross-section  1210  eartip, although various cross sections are also possible. 
       FIG.  13    illustrates a cut away of the eartip of  FIG.  12   . The eartip  1300  has an outer surface  1310  that contacts at least a portion of an ear canal wall which is part of a tip contact portion  1340 . The tip contact portion  1340  is supported by the tip support  1350  connected to the stent  1320 , which has an internal distal end  1330  similar to the conventional distal end  1130 . The eartip  1300  has a tip coupling portion  1360  that can connect to an earphone. 
       FIG.  14    illustrates a cross-section of a sweep back support eartip  1400 . The projected (extended) eartip  1400  has a tip distal end  1490  that is off set (e.g., 0.5 to 20 mm) from the traditional distal end which can be the earphone coupler distal end  1430 . The eartip  1400  can have a recess/shape  1450  that fits an earphone&#39;s coupler  1425  which is at the earphone coupler distal end  1430 . The portion of the eartip  1400  that is designed to potentially contact (e.g., tip contact portion  1492 ) the ear canal wall lies between the tip distal end  1490  and the tip ambient end  1491 . A sweep rearward/back support  1480  can separate the interior of the eartip into the forward cavity  1445  and the rearward cavity  1455 , where the forward cavity can extend from an acoustic aperture  1485  from which acoustic energy normally is directed toward the ears of a user. The sweep back support  1480  provides a force  1440  to oppose a removal force  1450 , assisting in stability retention of the eartip. The other main force occurring during insertion and removal are the force opposing insertion  1460  (distal force), the force opposing removal  1450  (removal force) and the force exerted on the eartip by the ear canal  1470  (radial force). The sweep back tip support is designed by the arch to oppose the removal force  1450  more so than the insertion force  1460  or the radial force  1470 .  FIGS.  15 ,  16 ,  17    each show various tip support configurations to oppose different forces. 
       FIG.  15    illustrates a cross-section of a sweep forward support eartip  1500 . The sweep forward tip support  1580  is designed to create a force  1540  that opposes the insertion or distal force  1460  more than the other forces. This can be because more rigidity is needed for insertion to avoid the tip crumbling and not proceeding to a further depth of insertion. A further depth of insertion can be useful to provide stability, and to maximize the contact surface, and distributing the retention force amongst a larger surface assists in comfort. Comfort can be equated to pressure exerted on the ear canal wall or force/unit area. 
       FIG.  16    illustrates a cross-section of a horizontal support eartip  1600 , having a horizontal tip support  1680  that provides a force  1640  that opposes direct radial forces  1470  more so than distal forces  1460  or removal forces  1450 . The horizontal structure provides a radial rigidity at the contact point  1655  of the tip support  1680  with the tip contact portion  1610 , facilitating rotation about the contact point  1655 . This allows the tip contact portion  1610  to rotate more easily about the contact point  1655  facilitating more contact area with the ear canal wall. For example if a radial force is applied ant-distally (toward ambient environment) of the contact point  1655 , the tip contact portion will rotate counterclockwise about contact point  1655 , bring more area to contact the ear canal and distribute forces, increasing comfort. 
       FIG.  17    illustrates a cross-section of a hybrid support eartip  1700 . This eartip uses a hybrid tip support  1780  that uses a sweep forward tip support with a horizontal tip support providing a sweep forward force  1740 B and a horizontal force  1740 A. Designed to add more rigidity for insertion and rotation of the contact surface for comfort. Note that other combinations can be combined into a tip support, for example a sweep back, combined with a horizontal, and the discussion is not meant herein to limit tip support combinations. 
     Processes, techniques, apparatus, and materials as known by one of ordinary skill in the art may not be discussed in detail but are intended to be part of the enabling description where appropriate. For example, specific materials may not be listed for achieving each of the targeted properties discussed, however one of ordinary skill would be able, without undo experimentation, to determine the materials needed given the enabling disclosure herein. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all modifications, equivalent structures and functions of the relevant exemplary embodiments. For example, if words such as “orthogonal”, “perpendicular” are used, the intended meaning is “substantially orthogonal” and “substantially perpendicular” respectively. Additionally, although specific numbers may be quoted in the claims, it is intended that a number close to the one stated is also within the intended scope, i.e. any stated number (e.g., 20 mils) should be interpreted to be “about” the value of the stated number (e.g., about 20 mils). Note also that each part of an eartip can be composed of different materials, for example the tip contact portion can be silicone, while the tip support composed of urethane and the stent also silicone or even a different material from the other parts. 
     Thus, the description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention.