US 12,069,435 B2
Hearing protection, noise measurement and communication system
Daniel R. Schumaier, Elizabethton, TN (US)
Filed by Daniel R. Schumaier, Elizabethton, TN (US)
Filed on Jan. 23, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/420,313.
Application 17/966,775 is a division of application No. 17/887,548, filed on Aug. 15, 2022, granted, now 11,546,702, issued on Jan. 3, 2023.
Application 18/420,313 is a continuation in part of application No. 18/524,562, filed on Nov. 30, 2023, granted, now 11,962,977.
Application 18/524,562 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/966,775, filed on Oct. 15, 2022, granted, now 11,856,368, issued on Dec. 26, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0163619 A1, May 16, 2024
Int. Cl. H04R 25/00 (2006.01)
CPC H04R 25/505 (2013.01) [H04R 2225/025 (2013.01); H04R 2225/61 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hearing protection system comprising:
an earplug formed from a compliant material and comprising:
a first portion configured to be disposed in a user's outer ear, the first portion including a recessed cavity having an inner profile;
a second portion having a distal end configured for insertion into the user's ear canal, the second portion including a sound tube having:
a first opening disposed within the recessed cavity of the first portion; and
a second opening disposed at the distal end of the second portion; and
an electronic hearing device configured to be removably inserted into the recessed cavity of the earplug, the electronic hearing device comprising:
a microphone for receiving external sound and generating an electrical sound signal based thereon;
electronics that amplify the electrical sound signal, shut off sound amplification to protect the user when a loud noise is detected, and resume sound amplification after the loud noise ends;
a short-range communication interface for receiving a short-range communication signal that carries information;
a speaker assembly for generating sound based on one or both of the electrical sound signal and the information from the short-range communication signal; and
a housing in which the microphone, speaker assembly, electronics and short-range communication interface are disposed, the housing having:
a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, and a side surface disposed between the front and rear surfaces; and
a sound aperture disposed in one of the surfaces of the housing for emitting the sound from the speaker assembly, the sound aperture aligned with the first opening of the sound tube, thereby permitting the sound generated by the speaker assembly to propagate through the sound tube to the second opening.