High fidelity blast hearing protection

摘要

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,

主权项

1. A hearing protection device intended to be inserted into an external auditory meatus of a user, the hearing protection device comprising:
a housing structure having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is intended to be inserted into said external auditory meatus of a user, the housing structure supporting in series a passive tuning element comprising a diaphragm and a passive, nonlinear acoustic filter, wherein the housing structure supports the diaphragm about its circumference and provides cavities on each face of the diaphragm, and wherein the housing structure further comprises a retainer ring having a circumferential structure which, when positioned above the diaphragm in the housing structure, forms one of the cavities.