JPH0262199A - Bone-conductive sound catching device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To ensure high security and reliability by transmitting a voice signal from a speaker by means of bone conduction via a mastoid and not hindering voice signal transmission through air conduction so as to provide the two-way audible capability. CONSTITUTION: A small sized sound speaker 14 is provided behind a mastoid suction cup 12 of a housing 11 of this device 10, which is shaped to be the shape of 'C' in English letter and attached to/detached from an ear. The device 10 is fitted to the ear according to the following three hanging ways. In the 1st mount, a 1st surface 18 of the housing 11 is hooked on an upper part 85 of the ear. In the 2nd mount, a 2nd surface 19 of the housing 11 is hooked to a lower part 86 of the ear together with an earlobe 87. In the 3rd mount, the suction cup 12 is used to allow the mastoid to absorb the ear directly. In any of the mount methods, the voice signals transmission by means of air conduction through the ear is not hindered.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to personal audio listening devices generally worn by individual listeners and related listening methods. In particular, the present invention relates to bone conduction audio listening systems and methods.

U Prior Art Most conventional personal audio listening systems do not utilize bone conduction; instead, such conventional systems transmit audio to the listener via normal air conduction through the ear canal. send. These conventional personal audio listening methods are intended to be used by listeners engaged in outdoor activities such as jogging, hiking, skiing, biking, etc. or indoor activities such as housework, painting, recreation, etc., among others. It has been commercially available.

Well-known conventional audio listening systems of this type include tape recorders/players and radios equipped with a set of headphones or earphones connected to the radio or tape recorder by suitable electrical wires. ing. Headphones or earphones emit sound, which passes through the ear canal and is transmitted to the listener by air conduction. Although such schemes provide listeners with high quality audio 11 , they have several significant disadvantages to listeners. Among these drawbacks is that they interfere with surrounding sounds in the listener's environment. Such interference with surrounding sounds may result in a serious accident for the listener, since the listener cannot hear the surrounding sounds. Another significant drawback of this conventional personal audio listening system involves the potential for the listener to lose his/her hearing ability. Several medical studies have specifically shown that using such conventional personal audio listening devices can lead to permanent hearing loss. For example, see P.C., Catalano, Niss, M., and Levin, “Noise-Independent Hearing.
"Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and Portable Radios with Headphones", International Journal of Vediatrix Autorheinology, 1985, p. 59 [P, J
, Catalano, S., M., Levin, “No.
1se-Induced llearing Lo
ss and Portable Radios
with Headphones,” Inter
najjonal Journal of Pedi
atrics Otorhinolaryngolog
y, 1985. p. 59; Tuff to New England Medical Center, “Stereo Earphones and Hearing Loss,” The New England Journal of Medicine, December issue, 19112.
Volume 307, No. 23 [Tufts-New English
d Medical Center, “5tere.

Earpbones and leasing
Loss, ” The New England
d Journal of Medicine, Dec.
, 1982. Vol, 307, No, 23]; + and P, C, S. M.

Day 1. See, Tabtsuyu. Senders, M.

Day, Transient Sensineural Hearing Loss After Overuse of Portable Headphone Cassette Radios Volume, No. 5 [P, C, Le
e, M, D,, C, Gai 5enders, M, D,,
Transient Sensorineural
llearingLossafter 0veruse
of Portable Head-phone
Ca5setteRadios, “Otolar
yngology, l-1ea and neck
Surgery, Vol. 93. No. 5]. These references are included herein for reference.

There are other conventional personal audio listening systems that overcome some of the safety and hearing loss issues mentioned above by eliminating the headphones, but these tend to be large, cumbersome, and uncomfortable to wear. .

An example of such a conventional personal audio listening system without headphones is the vest intended to be worn by the listener, as disclosed in Waldron, U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,134. ), a voice listening method included in Hass (U.S. Patent No. 4 of IlassJ).
070,553, a scarf-tube containing a sound source intended to be worn around the neck of a listener, disclosed in Wi.
A device for surrounding each listener's ear is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,889,584 by Kaufmann (
A typical example of a personal audio listening device worn in each listener's ear is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,868,572, et al. Yet another conventional personal audio listening system is a speaker that clips onto a person's clothing, as disclosed in US Pat. No. 1I:122,585 to Liautaud.

Turning to conventional bone conduction audio listening devices, these are typically hearing aids for the hearing impaired. An example of such a bone conduction hearing aid is the Lybarge hearing aid.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,230.500, Zas
rth), U.S. Patent No. 2,258,638, and West German Patent No. 245, Brerakwoldt.
1977, and British Patent No. 743.722 to Patch. Most new bone conduction hearing aids use bone conduction oscillators.
r) the mastoid under the listener's skin.
can be inserted into direct contact with the bone. Such a device is known as Ilou
gh) et al., US Pat. No. 4, [i12.915].

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] Disadvantages of conventional bone conduction hearing aid devices are: - Numerically bulky and ungainly designed to transmit sounds in a narrow range of audible frequencies, typically within the range of the human voice; It is important to include the following parts. Such a narrow frequency range is not suitable for music listening purposes. Bone conduction hearing aids are typically used in two situations: structural abnormalities and chronic hook disease. Bone conduction is necessary in cases of ear malformations or in cases where there is no auditory canal that transmits sound through air conduction. In addition, due to hearing loss, these conventional bone conduction hearing aids produce a very high level of sound so that the listener can properly hear the sound being emitted by bone conduction. There must be.

All blue light oscillators require pressure to ensure good contact with the mastoid process. If there is insufficient contact with the mastoid process, the hearing-impaired listener will not be able to hear the sounds being emitted by bone conduction. The pressure required to maintain good contact with the mastoid process is determined by the headband.
d) mounting the oscillator on top, incorporating the oscillator in the part corresponding to the temple of the glasses, fixing the oscillator on the mastoid with tape, or some kind of special device to maintain contact with the mastoid This can be ensured by designing a suitable method. Such special contact methods include subcutaneous attachment as described in Hue et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,612,915, cited above, and Beaty et al.
No. 985.977 discloses a device for mounting in or on teeth.

While these traditional methods, whether bone conduction or air conduction, may function satisfactorily for their intended purpose, they cannot be used comfortably and safely during a wide range of activities that traditional methods cannot accommodate. There is a need for a portable personal audio listening system that can be used.

The inventor believes that the ability to hear surrounding sounds is important to many listeners engaged in disparate activities. Of course, it is a safety advantage for joggers, runners, and cyclists to listen for approaching traffic signals and warnings. It not only allows individual listeners to hear the sounds of their own environment, but also enables remote communication hubs and audio communications, such as those found in public works operations, military operations, and health-related divisions. It is advantageous to be able to maintain contact.

While conventional audio listening systems have been developed to overcome the safety issues discussed above, they do so at the expense of individual listener comfort. Other conventional audio listening methods have also been developed that have solved the comfort problem.
This comes at the cost of hearing loss for the listener. In addition, all of these conventional devices utilize bone conduction methods that provide high-quality audio and provide devices that are safe, easy to use, lightweight, waterproof, discreet, and comfortable. Not used.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a bone conduction type personal voice listening device and method that overcomes the problems of conventional personal voice listening methods.

The present invention is a bone conduction type personal voice listening device and method for transmitting sound by connecting a separate voice signal generation source and a bone conduction device using appropriate electric wires. mastoid suction cup (mastoid 5uc
It is attached to the mastoid process behind the listener's ear by the action of the tion cup.

This placement of the bone conduction device also allows for free and unhindered transmission of ambient sounds through the listener's open ears. Three attachment areas are utilized to removably attach the device to the listener's ear.

Also, if desired by the listener, suitable ear plug means that substantially block ambient sounds may be provided.
s) is also available.

Furthermore, the present invention provides that the listener uses an audio speaker assembly (Audi) of any suitable design.

5peaker asse+nbly) removed,
Alternatively, it may be possible to replace it with another speaker assembly, clean it, or change the color or reflectivity of the personal audio listening device for safety and/or decorative purposes.

The present invention is a flexible, waterproof, and lightweight bone conduction audio listening device that utilizes any of a variety of materials, such as rubber, flexible plastic, or other man-made materials; By using a molding method suitable for mass production, non-explosion products can be produced easily and at low cost.

[Means for Solving the Problems] To achieve these objectives, a device adapted to be removably attached to the listener's ear so as not to exclude ambient sounds received through the listener's auditory canal. In the audio listening system, the housing has the shape of the letter C and has a first end adapted to establish a first attachment area for the listener's ear and integral with the housing. part (i) of part 1 and the second part to the ears of the listener.
a housing (a) comprising a second portion (ii) having a second end adapted to establish a mounting area for and integral with the housing; and a speaker means incorporated within the housing, the housing comprising: a loudspeaker assembly (i) having bone conduction means for phonatory sound generation, the speaker assembly (i) being arranged to substantially cover the mastoid process of the listener when attached to the listener's ear by the first and second attachment regions; speaker means (b) including suction cup means (ii) attached to the speaker assembly for establishing a third attachment area to the listener's head by suction action, and transmitting the audible sound to the bone conduction means; by means of a suction cup to the mastoid of the listener, thereby transmitting audible sounds generated while not eliminating ambient sounds received through the listener's auditory canal. Transmitted by bone conduction.

In addition, the method of the tree invention is a bone conduction personal voice listening method that transmits sound to the listener's ear without excluding surrounding sounds received through the ear canal of the listener. the step of attaching the housing to the head and transmitting audible sound, the step of attaching the housing to the ear of the listener in the first attachment region; the step of attaching the housing to the ear of the listener in the second attachment region; and the attachment of the sound transmission means by suction to a third attachment area covering the mastoid of the listener's ear, and the audible sound transmission step is carried out by a third installation. The audio listening device transmits the audible sound by bone conduction without eliminating the surrounding sounds that are received through the listener's auditory canal by transmitting the audible sound to the mastoid of the listener via the ear canal. do.

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the wooden invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the bone conduction type voice listening system invented by Wood. This bone conduction audio listening system includes a device generally designated by the reference number IO. The device IO includes a housing 11 with a small audio speaker 14 located behind a mastoid suction cup 12 .

The cup 12 can be molded at the same time as the housing 11 of the device 1o is manufactured. This embodiment may also be waterproof so that the device 10 can be used in environmentally hostile conditions. In this embodiment, the speaker 14
and the mastoid suction cup 12 are connected to the housing 11 of the device IO.
I would like to be noticed by someone who is permanently taken care of.

In this illustrated embodiment, the housing 11 of the device 10 is configured to hang over the listener's ears, as shown in FIG.
gfashion) and is intended to be attached to the listener's ear. By hanging system is meant removable attachment in three areas, as will now be described. Next, I will explain in detail. 1st
The mounting in the area of the housing 11 of the device 10
The cooperative upper removal mechanism created by the generally curved first surface 18 of It is. Note that this first surface 18 is configured such that its first end 90 terminates over the top of the ear and down toward the ear canal. Also, - as indicated numerically by the dotted line 92, the first surface 18 is connected to the surface of the underside of the top of the head and ear 85 in the area where it loops around the ear. I would like it to be understood that it fits perfectly between the two. The sieving action on the upper part 85 of the ear caused by the first surface 18 must not be too great. Otherwise, such constriction will result in listener discomfort both in the short and long term. Instead, the first surface 18 is removably attached by virtue of the action of the hook provided by its generally curved shape in cooperation with the upper part 85 of the ear.

Attachment in the second region means that the generally curved second surface 19 of the housing 11 of the device io is attached to the lower part of the ear (including the earlobe 87), which is generally designated by the reference numeral 86.
It is a cooperative lower attachment created by hooking all the way under the. Note that this second surface 19 is configured such that its second end 92 terminates in extending upwardly beyond the base of the ear and earlobe 87 toward the auditory canal. Also, as shown schematically by dotted line 92, the second surface 19 extends over the lower part of the head and ear 86 and behind the earlobe 87 in the area where it hooks around the ear. It should be understood that it fits perfectly between the surface and the surface. As with the first surface 18, the tightening effect on the lower part of the ear 86 and the earlobe 87 caused by the second surface 19 must not be too great. Otherwise, such constriction will result in listener discomfort both in the short and long term. Instead, the second surface 1
9 cooperates with the lower part of the ear 86 and the earlobe 87 so that the hook provided by its generally curved shape is removably attached.

The housing ll, detailed below, is adjusted (ritt+n
It is made of a suitable material that can assume a suitable shape during the g and/or installation process and is capable of bending but retains its shape while being worn by the listener. The cooperative action of the first surface 18 and the second surface 19 with the ears causes the housing 11 to suspend in the clay with most of the weight of the device 10 resting on the upper part 85 of the ears. Become. Housing 11 for the ears while increasing the listener's comfort
The housing 11 and its contents can be arranged to ensure a desired weight distribution that evens out the weight of the device IO in the clay to improve the desired retention of the material. It should be noted that a ballast (not shown) can be added to the housing 11 to improve this weight distribution.

As mentioned above, the first surface 18 and the second surface 19 are respectively attached to the ear and the removable top hook is attached to the ear so as to keep the housing It attached to the ear no matter what activity the listener engages in. The open position, position and removable lower hook create an attached position. When there are significant movements, vibrations, or changes in direction during listening activities (e.g., running, aerobics, swimming), the above-mentioned latching at the top and bottom of the ear can cause undesirable damage to the housing 11. prevent it from falling from your ears. 1st
surface 18 and second surface 19 of the housing 1
Shape 1 may cause your ears to be tightly tightened during the adjustment process,
The ears are shaped in such a way that they do not distort the normal shape of the ears or the normal protrusion of the ears from the head, so that listeners do not have to worry about it in the short or long term. You will not experience any unwanted discomfort.

The first and second areas of attachment serve to hold the housing 11 on the ear. Also, these areas are
It also serves to position the mastoid suction cup 12 over the listener's mastoid process, as described below. This positioning can be adjusted by the adjuster by changing the shape curves of the first surface 18 and the second surface 19 during the adjustment process.

The third attachment area is an area where the mastoid suction cup 12 is suction-attached so as to cover the mastoid process of the listener. As generally shown in FIG. 2, this attachment serves to maintain a substantial intimate contact of the device 10 with the mastoid process on the back side of the listener's ear. As mentioned above, the position of the suction cup 12 can be varied by adjusting the contours of the first surface 18 and second surface 19 during the adjustment process.

The RIO as shown in FIG. 1 has at least two suitable signal generators 5o connected at one end to a loudspeaker 14 and at the other end to a suitable signal generator 5o, shown in dotted lines in FIG. It further includes a flexible connecting cable 16 made of real wire.

Housing 11 of device 10 can be constructed from any of a variety of fairly flexible and lightweight conventional materials. Examples of suitable materials include various molded rubbers and synthetic materials such as silicone plastics and vinyls. The molding material must be sufficiently flexible so that the shape of the housing 11 can be appropriately deformed during the adjustment and/or installation process so that it can be easily installed and removed from the listener's ear. No. However, on the other hand, the material needs to be sufficiently rigid to support the speaker 14 while the device 10 is being worn by a listener.

The material used for the mastoid suction cup 12 is one that is capable of providing the necessary suction to the mastoid cervical region of the listener throughout the diverse temperature and humidity ranges encountered during normal activities. Must. This suction action is necessary for two reasons. 1st
The reason for this is that such a suction effect is necessary for proper sound transmission between the speaker 14 and the listener's mastoid process. The second reason is that such suction is required to secure the third area of attachment of the device 10 to the listener's head. Attachment at these three points is necessary to maintain the positioning and proper orientation of the device 1O with respect to the listener's ears and head during normal use conditions (eg, jogging, aerobics, running, etc.). The material of the housing 11 and the suction cup 14 may be of any suitable color or reflectivity for reasons of safety and visibility and/or to suit individual listener tastes and decorative requirements. Note that it can be used.

One embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 3 that allows for removal of the speaker 14 so that the device 10 can be cleaned or the audio speaker 14 can be replaced with a device 10 of a different color, reflectivity, and/or material. For example, the speaker assembly (sp
The eeker assembly 15 is the hinge part (hi
a speaker retainer 24 of a suitable design attached to the device 10 at an area 20 and a thumb fastener of a suitable design at the other end.
mbnail catch) 22. In such embodiments of the invention, audio speaker 14 may be interchangeably removed from device IO. Note that any suitable structure can be adopted to achieve this compatibility.

An example of the permanently fixed waterproof device 10 of the embodiment shown in FIG.
It is shown in assembled form in FIG.

FIG. 5A shows the embodiment of FIG. 5 in an exploded form. A device for the listener's ears and head! No attachment material or bonding agent is required for three-point attachment. Therefore, the device IO can also be used in humid environments, as long as the suction cup 12 can maintain the necessary suction conditions. In fact, the invention is intended to be used underwater.

Returning now to FIGS. 5 and 5^, the speaker 14 with the bone filler 28 is inserted into the cavity 17 of the device 10 in a press fit arrangement with the mastoid suction cup 12 and attachment piece 32. arrangement
t). Note that a waterproof gasket 30 is placed between the forming area 19 of the cavity 17 and the back side of the bone filler 28. Flexible connection cable 16 connected to bone filler 28 as shown in FIG.
is coming out of the cavity 17 via a connecting path 100 formed into the cavity 17. The waterproof gasket 30 is
Preventing water and other unwanted fluids from entering cavity 17. Such intrusion impairs the performance of the bone filler 28. Attachment piece 32 may be press fit and/or bonded to device 1G using any suitable means.

In another embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 7, earplugs 34 are inserted into the ear canal of a listener's ear to which device 10 is attached. Note that the earplugs 34 are preferably attached to the curved first surface 18 of the device IO by a tether (such as a lace). Earplugs 34 serve to significantly reduce or block all surrounding sounds. Such sound reduction and/or blocking allows the listener to choose to hear from a single sound source, or to significantly suppress or block potentially harmful sound sources in the surrounding environment. . Earplugs 34 may be constructed from any suitable material that has the necessary sound-deterrent properties and the necessary physical properties for wear by a listener.

Apparatus IO is removably attached to the ear and head of a listener, generally in accordance with the method described below. First, as described above, the housing 11 is shaped or bent into an appropriate shape during the adjustment process. Second, during the installation process, the listener preferably slides the first end 90 over the surface of the head near the ear top 85 while sliding the first surface 18 behind this top 85. . This establishes a first area of attachment, allowing the device IO to hang from the ear, and allowing the listener to concentrate on accomplishing the attachment in the second area. (Note that this procedure allows the listener to attach and remove device 10 from the ear using only one hand.)
.

Third, the listener then inserts the thumb behind the earlobe while holding the second portion 19 of the housing 11 against the lower outer surface 86 of the ear with the listener's index and/or middle finger. Establish the second attachment by using the thumb to press the earlobe 87 against the second portion 19 and then push it past the second portion 19 to bring the earlobe 87 and lower ear portion 86 to opposite sides of the housing 11. do. That is, the housing 11, except for the first end 90 and the second end 94, is located entirely behind the listener's ear.

Fourth, the third attachment area 15 is established by the user first bringing the suction cup 12 onto the mastoid and then pressing the housing 11 towards the head. This provides the necessary suction between the suction cup 12 and the listener's head. This concludes the removable installation procedure. Removal of device 10 is accomplished by generally reversing each step of the procedure described above.

[Effects of the Invention] The bone conduction type voice listening device of the present invention can be used in various different ways. The speaker 14 of the device IO transmits the sound vibrations approximately through the mastoid process, so that the listener can still hear the sounds of the surrounding environment. Therefore, the listener can hear the sounds of approaching cars, traffic noises, and even other environmental sounds, such as verbal commands or warnings, depending on the current situation. Therefore, each use addresses the binaural aspect of the invention, i.e., the aIIlbient listening channel.
nel) and the audio listening path provided by the device IO. From this binaural aspect of the invention,
This ensures greater safety and greater adaptability for listeners.

For example, the invention can be used by runners or joggers who need to hear approaching cars for safety reasons. Furthermore, as a mutual communication device, the device IO not only needs to listen to the voices of medical personnel, military personnel, public construction workers, etc. in their own environment, but also needs to listen to the voices of communication sources located far away. It can also be used by persons who must maintain constant contact with (not shown). Additionally, there are various jobs that require the ability to listen to two audio sources simultaneously, and such environments exist in many offices. In view of the binaural aspect of the invention, device 10 may also be utilized with earplugs 34 to block out all ambient noise for the various reasons discussed above.

The present invention is a versatile mono or stereo headphone of advanced design that provides binaural listening capabilities. This is an improved personal listening device that is discreet, waterproof, and easy to install, wear, and remove. Because of the bone conduction design, potential sources of trauma that can lead to hearing loss caused by traditional audio listening channels that are placed over or in the listener's ears are eliminated.

Although preferred embodiments have been described, various modifications, changes, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The foregoing objects, other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 is a plan view of a permanently affixed waterproof speaker assembly 15 of a device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device 10 attached to a listener's ear. 3 is a perspective view of a removable speaker assembly 15 according to an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 4 shows an apparatus lO connected to a single signal source 50 for providing stereophonic sound to a listener. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of assembled device 10 taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 1; FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention having two; Disassembled diagram of lO, Figure 6 is the 3rd
A cross-sectional view of the removable speaker assembly 15 taken along line 6-6 of the illustrated embodiment, FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. Joshi of the drawings (no change in content) Thousand threads ``1'' Seishi: (Method) % formula % Display of 15 cases Patent application No. 192182/1982 Title of the invention: 1. Conduction type audio listening equipment and Relationship with the method amendment case Patent applicant Simeon Bee, Schreiber 4, Agent 3rd floor, Seiko Building 6, 5-1-31 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107 October 5, 1988 (shipment date; October 25, 1988 6, Power of attorney subject to amendment and all drawings +: )) -t”:ゝ・

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) In an audio listening device adapted to be removably attached to a listener's ear so as not to exclude ambient sounds received through the listener's ear canal: approximately , a first portion having a first end integral with the housing and adapted to establish a first attachment area for the listener's ear, the housing having the shape of the letter C; i) and a second portion (ii) having a second end adapted to establish a second attachment area for the listener's ear and integral with the housing; and a speaker means incorporated within said housing, said speaker means being positioned to substantially overlie said listener's mastoid when said housing is attached to said listener's ears by said first and second attachment regions. a speaker assembly (i) having bone conduction means for sound generation and suction cup means (ii) attached to said speaker assembly for establishing a third attachment area to said listener's head by suction action; ); and configured to transmit said audible sound from said bone conduction means via said suction cup means to said mastoid of said listener. A sound listening device that transmits the generated audible sound by bone conduction while not excluding surrounding sounds received through the auditory canal of a person. 2) The audio listening device of claim 1, wherein the housing is made from a relatively flexible synthetic material. 3) The audio listening device of claim 1, wherein the housing substantially reflects incoherent light. 4) The audio listening device according to claim 3, wherein the housing is colored. 5) The audio listening device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is waterproof. 6) The audio listening device according to claim 1, wherein the speaker means includes mastoid oscillation means. 7) An audio listening device according to claim 1, wherein said speaker means is permanently fixed to said housing. 8) The audio listening device according to claim 1, wherein the speaker means is waterproof. 9) The audio listening device according to claim 1, wherein said speaker means is removably attached to said housing. 10) the suction cup means is arranged within the housing to establish the third attachment area over the mastoid of the listener when the audio listening device is placed in the ear of the listener; The audio listening device according to claim 1. 11) The suction cup means is juxtaposed to the speaker assembly so that sound from the bone conduction means is transmitted to the mastoid of the listener via the suction cup means. 10. The audio listening device according to 10. 12) In an audio listening device adapted to be removably attached to a listener's ear and to exclude ambient sounds entering through the ear canal of the listener; , a first portion (i) having a first end adapted to establish a first attachment area for the listener's ear and integral with the housing;
and a housing (a) comprising a second portion (ii) adapted to establish a second attachment area for said listener's ear and having a second end integral with said housing.
), ambient sound blocking means (b) removably attached to said housing and adapted to be worn within said ear canal of said listener; and speaker means incorporated within said housing; a speaker assembly having bone conduction means for the generation of audible sound arranged to substantially cover the mastoid process of the listener when the speaker is attached to the ear of the listener by the first and second attachment regions; said loudspeaker assembly for establishing a third attachment area to said listener's head by means of a stereoscopic (i) and suction action and for transmitting said audible sound from said bone conduction means to said mastoid process of a listener; An audio listening device comprising speaker means comprising suction cup means (ii) attached to the. 13) Claim 1 wherein said ambient sound blocking means includes ear plug means.
2. The audio listening device according to 2. 14) The audio listening device of claim 13, wherein said ear plug means is removably attached to said housing. 15) The audio listening device of claim 12, wherein the housing substantially reflects incoherent light. 16) The audio listening device according to claim 15, wherein the housing is colored. 17) The audio listening device of claim 12, wherein the housing is made of a substantially flexible synthetic material. 18) The audio listening device according to claim 12, wherein the housing is waterproof. 19) An audio listening device according to claim 12, wherein said speaker means is permanently fixed to said housing. 20) An audio listening device according to claim 12, wherein said speaker means is removably attached to said housing. 21) The audio listening device according to claim 12, wherein the speaker means is waterproof. 22) In a bone conduction personal audio listening method for transmitting sound to the ear of a listener without excluding ambient sounds received through the ear canal of the listener; attaching a housing containing the sound transmission means to the head of the listener; transmitting an audible sound; the step of mounting the housing comprises: mounting the sound transmitting means to the ear of the listener in a first mounting region;
attachment of the sound transmission means to the listener's ear in a second attachment region; and attachment of the sound transmission means by suction to a third attachment region covering the mastoid process of the listener's ear. through the auditory canal of the listener; and carrying out the step of transmitting audible sound by transmitting an audible sound to the mastoid of the listener via the third attachment region. A bone conduction personal voice listening method in which a voice listening device transmits the audible voice by bone conduction without excluding acceptable surrounding voices.