Earpiece Resonator Cavities for Occlusion Effect Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing protection devices like earplugs and earmuffs suffer from the occlusion effect, causing discomfort and reduced acoustic performance, with active solutions being expensive and cumbersome, and passive solutions leading to physical discomfort and inadequate noise suppression.
Innovation Solution
A passive occlusion effect mitigation device featuring a plurality of resonator cavities, such as Helmholtz resonators, integrated into earpieces or earmuffs, which absorb specific acoustic frequencies to reduce the occlusion effect while maintaining comfort and sound attenuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If earplugs or earmuffs are used to protect against noise, then hearing protection is achieved, but the occlusion effect causes discomfort and reduced acoustic performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an acoustic vent as an intermediary element between the ear canal and the external environment. This vent allows selective acoustic communication that mitigates the occlusion effect while preserving the sealing function for noise protection. The vent acts as a mediator that enables both hearing protection and comfort simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the acoustic parameters of the ear canal by introducing a vent with specific geometric characteristics (opening area, position, and configuration). This changes the acoustic impedance and pressure distribution within the ear canal, thereby reducing the occlusion effect while maintaining effective noise attenuation.
2Reliability
If the ear canal is completely sealed for maximum noise attenuation, then hearing protection is optimized, but the occlusion effect increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a localized acoustic vent with specific geometric properties (opening area, position, and shape) that is different from the rest of the sealed ear canal system. This localized opening provides selective acoustic communication at specific frequencies while maintaining the overall sealing function for maximum noise attenuation.
3Ease of operation
If vents are added to reduce the occlusion effect, then comfort improves, but sound attenuation performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by providing a vent with limited opening area that is sufficient to mitigate the occlusion effect but too small to significantly compromise noise attenuation. The vent is designed to provide just enough acoustic communication to improve comfort while maintaining adequate sound protection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device significantly reduces the occlusion effect by 15-20 dB across a broad frequency range, enhancing user comfort and acoustic performance without the drawbacks of active systems or mechanical discomfort, while ensuring adequate sound attenuation.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of resonator cavities, such as Helmholtz resonators, integrated into earpieces or earmuffs, which absorb specific acoustic frequencies to reduce the occlusion effect
Implementation Method 2
the resonator cavities each absorbing an acoustic frequency and combining to reduce the occlusion effect
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing protection device that provides mitigation of an occlusion effect (OE) includes either an eartip for insertion into an ear canal or an over-the-ear cup having an internal member for covering an ear. The eartip and the internal member provide a medial surface. A plurality of resonator cavities are in fluid communication with the medial surface and each absorb an acoustic frequency to reduce, in combination, the occlusion effect.