Earpiece and method for forming an earpiece

Abstract

A device includes an electromagnetic radiation delivery system such as a laser of light emitting diode infrared emitter configured for delivery of electromagnetic radiation within a sealed canal such as an ear canal, a fiber optic cable configured for delivering or capturing the electromagnetic radiation within the sealed canal, and a photo detector coupled to the fiber optic cable forming a portion of a voice communication system. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13 / 863,821, filed Apr. 16, 201 3, which is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13 / 051,418, filed Mar. 18, 2011 and claims priority from U.S. provisional Application No 61 / 315,393, filed Mar. 18, 2010, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to earpieces capable of modifying audio information provided into a user's ear and more particularly, though not exclusively, to earpieces capable of controlling ambient sound to a user's tympanic membrane.BACKGROUND[0003]Attenuation, or insertion loss in decibels, is the metric by which all hearing protection is judged by consumers and labeled as required by United States Environmental Protection Agency law. The standard solution to provide such protection has been physically occluding the ear canal with either a compressible, oversized e...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]The present invention provides an earpiece that uniquely effects acquisition of the user's voice devoid of ambient noise, yielding a clean signal, with the speaking voice acquired through in-canal bone transduction. The device is comfortable to wear even over extended periods of time, but the hearing capabilities of the user can be fully maintained.

[0021]The polymeric collar provides for a snug and thus ideal acoustical seal, hugging the auditory meatus slightly anterior of the intersection of the tympanic membrane and bony region. The polymeric collar impedes environmental sounds from stimulating the tympanic membrane, while also serving as an optical transport system for a means to deliver, via fiber-optic based infrared laser, the user's acoustical surroundings, but at safe sound pressure levels. In addition, the optical transport enables a photo optical coupler to acquire the user's own voice for two-way radio communication. The present invention thus involves the translation of acoustical stimuli to optical-thermal and finally mechanical coupling to regenerate pressure pulses which stimulate the tympanic membrane. The invention is capable of providing highly effective protection against noise-induced injuries to the ear, including both those of the common neural manifestation or the less common conductive losses.

Problems solved by technology

Thus a bias in the metrics of hearing protection performance to date has always been attenuation; however, this is a very narrow viewpoint which completely ignores often-important interface issues for the users.

For example, a user's situation awareness and ability to localize sound stimuli is compromised.

The occlusion effect causes unnatural sounding feedback of the user's own voice, making it difficult to modulate the voice output resulting in objections to using the protector and increasing the difficulty of achieving effective in-canal voice pickup for radio communications.

Furthermore, hearing protection devices, also known as HPDs, are only valuable when properly selected and fit to the user, and worn properly, to counteract imminent acoustical hazards, which unfortunately is often too late.

Earplugs, by their very nature, introduce their own set of problems.

They are frequently uncomfortable to wear, with the user being very aware of their presence.

Additionally, due to significant differences between individuals with respect to the size and shape of their ear canals, it is difficult to provide a single earplug device that fits all users comfortably and effectively.

As a result, many currently available earplugs suffer from the following problems, among others:Production of the occlusion effectImpaired localizationCompromised speech understandingSeverely degrades the user's situation awarenessOften ineffective protection due to improper sizing and insertionUncomfortable and unnatural feelingHarbor and introduce bacteria and promote fungal infectionChallenges in compliance, that is, convincing the user to wear a HPD they “might” needUser's speech is too loud or too lowUser's lack of confidence in actual protection provided and impaired situation awarenessOcclusion effect provides its own unnatural 15 dB of amplification of the user's voice in the ear canalImpaction of cerumen, that is, earwaxNot compatible and interoperable with a user's (e.g., a soldier's) current ensemble and communications equipment.

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