Patent ID: 6970571

Claim:
An earmuff, comprising: a headpiece for supporting the earmuff on the head of an individual; and a circuit having an input device for receiving external sound energy and converting the external sound energy to electrical sound signals, wherein the circuit further comprises: a pre-amplifier for amplifying and attenuating the electrical sound signals; a peak detector for detecting and holding a maximum value of the amplified electrical sound signals; a microcontroller for sampling the electrical sound signals from the pre-amplifier so as to determine whether the electrical sound signals from the pre-amplifier exceed a predetermined threshold value; a power control for controlling, maintaining, and transmitting power to the microcontroller; a digital potentiometer for receiving the electrical sound signals from the pre-amplifier and reducing the volume levels of the electrical sound signals; a speaker driver amplifier for providing a fixed amount of attenuation to external audio signals; and a power supply for providing power to the circuit.