Patent ID: 8061472

Claim:
An earplug device comprising: a hollow body formed of open cell foam plastic material having an outside surface adapted to contact the surface of an ear canal, a substantially occluded front end, an open rear end, an inside surface and a central axis; and a stem of flexible material that is stiffer than the hollow body, located approximately along the central axis of the hollow body; wherein: the hollow body encompasses a cavity; the stem comprises a front tip and a rear end; the rear end of the stein comprises a fingertip flange; the stem is completely contained within the hollow body such that the rear end of the stem does not extend out of the open rear end of the hollow body; the rear end flange of the stem is inset from the open rear end of the hollow body to form a recess in the rear end of the hollow body adapted to receive a fingertip for interaction with the flange, allowing for fingertip insertion of the earplug device; the hollow body comprises three or more splines projecting into the cavity and contacting the stem to support the stem in place approximately along the central axis within the cavity; and the inside and outside surfaces of the hollow body comprise a substantially closed cell skin.