Patent ID: 7352871

Claim:
An apparatus for communication and reconnaissance coupled with protection for the auditory system, comprising: a sound attenuation barrier for each ear; an electronic circuit for each ear, comprising: a microphone for transducing ambient sounds into electronic signals, and having an output; a fixed-gain pre-amplifier, having an input connected to the output of said microphone, having an output; a rheostat having an input connected to the output of said fixed-gain pre-amplifier and having an output; a fixed-gain output amplifier, having an input connection to the output of said rheostat, and having an output; an earphone, having an input connection to the output of said fixed-gain output amplifier; a set of gain control switches coupled to said rheostat for each ear, for increasing or decreasing the level of said electronic signals supplied thereto; a power supply that establishes a hard output limit for the electronic circuit when said electronic signal levels exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the power supply voltage; an output to a radio communications system; and an input from said radio communications system; such that ambient sound waves are attenuated and sound waves suitable for the auditory system are transmitted to the external auditory canal of the ear unless the sound output of the electronic circuit has been de-activated.