Low sound attenuating hearing protection device with filter arrangement

A hearing protection device, comprising:

• a sound attenuating portion configured to be disposed within an ear canal of a user to obstruct a passage of sound;
• a channel formed through the sound attenuating portion generally along a longitudinal axis thereof wherein the channel is configured to allow sound to pass through the sound attenuating portion when the portion is disposed within the ear canal;
• a thin filter membrane disposed in the channel at an interior of the sound attenuating portion;
• wherein the filter includes a plurality of apertures which delimit areas of airflow resistance configured to attenuate the sound passing through the channel.

A method of manufacturing a hearing protection device, comprising:

• forming a sound attenuating element having opposing first and second ends;
• forming a channel through the sound attenuating element from the first end to the second end;
• disposing a flexible filter membrane on a first open end of a tube such that side edges of the filter membrane extend beyond the diameter of the tube;
• inserting the filter membrane and the first end of the tube into the channel at the first end of the sound attenuating element;
• biasing the side edges of the filter toward a second opposing end of the tube and contacting the side edges of the filter with an outer surface of the tube;
• and
• pushing the tube into the channel such that the first end of the tube and the filter are fully disposed within the sound attenuating element and such that the side edges of the tube are disposed in a friction fit between the outer surface of the tube and a surface of the sound attenuating portion delimiting walls of the channel.