An improved
hearing protection device intended to be inserted into an external auditory meatus of a user, having a housing structure, a passive tuning element, and a passive, nonlinear acoustic filter. The tuning element and the acoustic filter may be supported in series by the housing structure. The tuning element may be or include a diaphragm, a
resonator, or both. The housing structure may support a diaphragm of the tuning element at its circumference, and may provide cavities on both sides of the diaphragm. In some embodiments electronic components are included in the
hearing protection device to counteract
insertion loss provided by the passive element, and restore natural hearing for low to moderate
sound pressure levels, Communications devices may also be incorporated into the
hearing protection device. The combination of a simple, low cost
amplifier circuit, passive tuning element and nonlinear acoustic filter of some embodiments of the present invention achieve a low cost yet sophisticated ability to react to
impulse noise without the need for a
microprocessor or complex
electronics. Furthermore, the configuration reduces
power consumption and, therefore, increases service life or decreases battery size / capacity, and results in low electronic self-
noise allowing the user to maintain situational awareness,