Electronic earplug with transistor switching for introducing electronic control of the gain and providing audible switch indications

摘要

Electronic earplugs, methods of enhancing and/or attenuating sound using electronic earplugs, and kits including electronic earplugs are provided. Certain electronic earplugs may include a circuit operatively connected to a microphone. The circuit may be configured to receive input electrical signals from the microphone and provide output electrical signals to a receiver. Further, the circuit may be configured to modify a sound output level from the electronic earplug based on a sound input level of ambient sound received at the microphone and a gain characteristic setting selected from a plurality of gain characteristic settings. The circuit may be configured such that it can be switched between the plurality of gain characteristic settings, wherein the switching to the selected gain characteristic setting produces an audible switch indication. Certain electronic earplugs also include a receiver configured to convert the output electrical signals into sound that is communicated to a user's ear canal.

主权项

1. An electronic earplug comprising:
a microphone configured to convert ambient sound to input electrical signals; a circuit operatively connected to the microphone, the circuit configured to receive the input electrical signals from the microphone and provide output electrical signals to a receiver, the circuit configured to modify a sound output level from the electronic earplug based on a sound input level of the ambient sound and a gain characteristic setting selected from a plurality of gain characteristic settings and comprising a first setting and a second setting, the circuit comprising a transistor switching circuit configured such that it can be switched between the plurality of gain characteristic settings, wherein the transistor switching circuit produces a first audible switch indication when switching from the second setting to the first setting; and the receiver operatively connected to the circuit, the receiver configured to convert the output electrical signals into sound that is communicated to a user's ear canal.