Hearing protection insert with mouth-controlled adjustment of sound absorption

Abstract

Utility model claim Hearing protection device (1) comprising an insert that can be inserted into the ear canal (2) with at least one adjustable damping unit, characterized in that the damping unit can be adjusted between an open position, in which an acoustic passage to the eardrum is largely free, and a closed position, in which the passage is at least partially closed, via a mechanical or pneumatic actuation originating from the mouth area.

Description

2. Technical area:

[0001] The present invention relates to a hearing protection insert for the human ear, in particular an earplug or earmold whose attenuation level can be actively adjusted by mechanical actuation from the mouth area. Such hearing protection devices are typically used in the field of personal occupational safety, in leisure activities with varying noise levels (e.g., hunting, motorsports, music events), and in safety-critical environments (e.g., military, police, rescue services). 3. State of the art:

[0002] Common hearing protection systems typically include passively attenuated earplugs, earmuffs, or electronically controlled hearing protection solutions designed for constant or situation-dependent noise attenuation. While many of these solutions allow insertion, removal, or, if necessary, switching between defined attenuation levels, they usually require the use of the hands to adjust elements or change filters. Electronic systems also exist that use microphones and control technology to adjust noise protection. However, the current state of the art does not include generally available, simply constructed hearing protection devices in which mechanical attenuation adjustment is achieved through a direct and uncomplicated transfer of the actuating force from the mouth or jaw area to the earplug.This gap in the available technology means that in certain applications - especially in situations where hands are occupied or manipulation of the ear is too cumbersome - a quick and safe change between different attenuation levels is only possible to a limited extent. 4. Object of the invention:

[0003] The object underlying the invention is to provide a hearing protection device in which the transition between different attenuation levels can be made easily, quickly, and hands-free, allowing the user to react independently to the prevailing noise level. In particular, it should be possible to adjust the degree of attenuation solely by mechanical actuation from the mouth area. This should ensure efficient and reliable hearing protection, even in situations where the hands are occupied or a rapid transition to changing sound conditions is necessary, and enable unfiltered communication with others or the perception of acoustic signals.In contrast to active, microphone- and electronic-supported systems, which are located in the upper price segment due to their higher technical complexity and whose service life can also depend on the limited battery life, the proposed invention is intended to offer a particularly cost-effective, low-maintenance and always ready-to-use alternative due to its purely mechanical design. 5. Solution to the problem (core of the invention)

[0004] The inventive solution provides a hearing protection insert whose degree of attenuation can be adjusted by direct mechanical or pneumatic actuation from the mouth or jaw area. For this purpose, the hearing protection insert can be provided in a first embodiment with a movable piston that optionally opens or closes the acoustic opening to the ear canal. In a simple variant, a thin tube is used through which a pressure or suction pulse can be transmitted directly from the mouth to the piston by blowing or sucking. A short blast of air pushes the piston inward, closing off access to the ear canal, while a suction pulse can release the position again. A small magnet or a corresponding locking step can optionally be used to stabilize the insert in the closed position.

[0005] In another embodiment, a flexible membrane is used instead of the piston. When pressure is applied, it bulges toward the ear canal, effectively sealing it. Here, too, the necessary pressure can be generated via a tube directly from the mouth or using a bellows. When the pressure is released or a negative pressure is created, the membrane can retract, clearing the ear canal again.

[0006] In addition to pneumatic actuation via air pressure, mechanical variants using a Bowden cable or cable connection are possible, in which a corresponding mouthpiece converts the movement of the jaw into a pulling impulse. This allows the user to flexibly adjust the level of attenuation of their hearing protection without using their hands. These purely mechanically or pneumatically controlled systems enable quick switching between the closed and open positions without relying on expensive electronic components with limited battery life.

[0007] Below is an example of the wording of Section 6 (Description of the Embodiments) using the information provided so far. Depending on the specific application document and drawing set, this description may be further adapted to the actual illustrations and details. 6. Description of the embodiments

[0008] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. The examples presented serve to illustrate the invention and do not limit the scope of protection. Identical or functionally equivalent parts are provided with the same reference numerals where appropriate. First embodiment (pneumatic control via piston):

[0009] In a particularly simple embodiment, Fig. 1 shows an earplug (1) which can be inserted into an ear canal (2). Fig. 2 shows an earplug in sectional view which has a displaceably mounted damping element in the form of a piston (3) which can be moved between an open and a closed position and in Fig. 2 is shown in the open position. The piston is positioned so that, when closed, it closes the acoustic opening between the outside and the eardrum. Fig. 3 shows the identical piston in the closed position. In Fig. 4, a thin tube (4) connects the earplugs in both ears via a T-piece (5) to an end (6) that can be placed at the mouth. Briefly blowing into the tube generates a pressure pulse, which moves the piston toward the ear canal, where it is held in position by a small magnet on the piston (7A) and housing (7B). By gently sucking on the tube, the piston can be released from its magnetically stabilized position, thus freeing the ear canal. This allows the wearer to switch between an open and a closed attenuation state without using their hands. Second embodiment (pneumatic control via flexible membrane):

[0010] Fig. Figure 5 shows a variant in which, in the open position, a flexible membrane (8) is provided instead of the piston. This membrane is elastically deformable and, when pressure is applied, bulges over the tube (4) toward the housing (1), thus closing the connection to the ear canal (2). Fig. Figure 6 shows the membrane in the closed position. It is irrelevant whether this connection is closed passively, i.e., perpendicular to the ear canal (2), or directly, i.e., in line with it. When the pressure is released or a negative pressure is generated, the membrane retracts to its original position. In this embodiment, too, a pair of magnets (7A / 7B) or a mechanical stop can be used for additional fixation in the closed position. Third embodiment (using a bellows):

[0011] As in Fig. As indicated in Figure 7, pneumatic control can also be achieved with a type of bellows (9) attached to the end of the hose instead of direct mouth contact. Compressing the bellows generates a pressure pulse in the hose, which moves the piston (3) or the diaphragm (8) without the user having to breathe their own air. Fourth embodiment (mechanical control via Bowden cable):

[0012] In another, mechanically executed variant, shown in Fig.8, a Bowden cable (10) is provided instead of the tube (4). The mouthpiece (11) is designed so that a biting or pressing movement of the jaw is transmitted to the Bowden cable. The pulling impulse leads to the displacement of the piston (3) or the deformation of a suitable movable structure in the earplug (1) to close or open the ear canal. This solution enables pressure transmission without air and ensures that the user can operate completely independently of breathing air and electronic aids. Advantages of the different versions:

[0013] Regardless of the chosen variant, all described embodiments allow for quick adjustment of the attenuation level without requiring hands-free operation. This is particularly advantageous in situations where the user relies on reliable communication despite fluctuating noise levels, for example, to quickly exchange information with colleagues without having to completely remove the hearing protection. The purely mechanical or pneumatic concepts are also more cost-effective, require less maintenance, and are not dependent on limited battery life like active, electronically controlled hearing protection systems.

[0014] Due to the multitude of possible designs - from the simple hose solution to a flexible membrane or a bellows to Bowden cable-supported variants - the invention offers a wide spectrum of implementation variants that can be optimally adapted to suit the application.

Claims

[1] Utility model claim Hearing protection device (1), comprising an insert insertable into the auditory canal (2) with at least one adjustable damping unit, characterized by that the damping unit can be adjusted by means of a mechanical or pneumatic actuation emanating from the mouth area between an open position in which an acoustic passage to the eardrum is largely free, and a closed position in which the passage is at least partially closed. [2] Hearing protection device according to claim 1, characterized by that the damping unit comprises a displaceably mounted piston (3), the position of which can be determined by means of air pressure changes via a hose (4) which can be controlled via a mouthpiece (6). [3] Hearing protection device according to claim 2, characterized bythat a T-piece (5) is provided to create a connection between two hearing protection inserts (1) for both ears, so that both pistons (3) can be actuated simultaneously by a single tube (4). [4] Hearing protection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that to stabilize the piston (3) in its closed position, a pair of magnets (7A / 7B) or another holding means is provided which fixes the piston in this position after reaching the closed position. [5] Hearing protection device according to claim 1, characterized by that the damping unit is designed as a flexible membrane (8) which, when pressure is applied through the tube (4), bulges towards the ear canal (2) and closes it. [6] Hearing protection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat at the end of the hose (4) instead of a direct mouthpiece (6) a bellows (9) is attached, the compression of which generates the necessary pressure impulse for moving the piston (3) or the membrane (8). [7] Hearing protection device according to claim 1, characterized by that instead of a hose (4) a mechanical traction transmission, preferably by means of a Bowden cable or cable (10), is provided, wherein a mouthpiece (11) is designed such that a jaw movement or a bite on the mouthpiece changes the piston or membrane position. [8] Hearing protection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the open position of the damping unit enables communication with other people without having to remove the earplug (1) from the ear canal (2). [9] Hearing protection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat all described pneumatic or mechanical control variants do not require the use of electronic components, so that neither batteries nor other power sources are required.

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