Flexible earphone assembly for use during hearing screening

Abstract

An earphone assembly is disclosed that includes an annular baffle having an outer surface and an inner surface as well as an interior wall and an exterior wall. The interior wall defines a central chamber. A transparent, flexible lid is attached to the baffle along the outer surface, completely covering the central chamber and forming an acoustic seal with the baffle. The lid has an inner face and an outer face. The flexibility of the earphone is improved by creating hinges in the lid and by providing cuts, or other discontinuities, in the baffle. For example, a radial cut may be disposed in the annular baffle. Further, a circumferential cut may also (or alternatively) be disposed in the baffle, extending from the inner surface and disposed between the exterior wall and the interior wall. At least one hinge may be disposed on the flexible lid. To improve the attachment of the earphone to the patient's head, tabs are mounted to the exterior wall. An adhesive material is applied to the inner surface of the annular baffle and to the tabs, thereby increasing the adhesive surface compared to existing earphones. A proprietary connection may be employed such that the baffle sends out an identifying signal to the transducer. The transducer then controls its transmission of acoustic energy based upon the identifying signal. In certain instances, the transducer may stop sending acoustic energy at all if it does not recognized the signal from the baffle.