Apparatus and method for an earpiece

A method for making a sound-attenuation ear piece comprising:

• forming a pliable stem having an emitter end and a receiver end, wherein the pliable stem includes:
• a first flange at the emitter end of the pliable stem, wherein the first flange has a cup-like shape having a convex external surface facing the emitter end of the pliable stem and configured to engage the ear canal to create a seal in the ear canal, wherein the first flange has a concave inner surface facing the receiver end of the pliable stem,
• a stop located within the cup-like shape of the first flange, wherein the stop has an emitter end and a receiver end;
• forming a sound-attenuation plug having an emitter end and a receiver end, wherein the sound-attenuation plug includes a first channel that passes through an entire length of the sound-attenuation plug;
• coupling the sound-attenuation plug to the pliable stem such that at least a portion of the sound-attenuation plug is contained within the cup-like shape of the first flange;
• and
• holding the emitter end of the sound-attenuation plug in place using the receiver end of the stop.

An apparatus comprising:

• a single-piece pliable earpiece stem (1501), wherein the stem (1501) has a handle portion (1530) that includes an exterior shape with a maximum diameter (1532), a length, a proximal end (1536), and a distal end (1537);
• a proximal flange (1510) located at the distal end of the handle portion (1530), wherein the proximal flange (1510) has an outward-facing proximal surface (1514) and an inward-facing distal surface (1516);
• an attachment portion (1540) having an exterior shape with a maximum diameter, a length, a proximal end and a distal end;
• a tapered stop (1550) located at the distal end of the handle portion (1530), the tapered stop (1550) having a proximal surface (1556) extending radially outward at a proximal end of the tapered stop, a maximum diameter (1551) near the proximal end of the tapered stop and a minimum diameter (1552) near a distal end of the tapered stop (1550);
• a curved distal flange (1520) located at the distal end of the tapered stop (1550), wherein the curved distal flange (1520) has a convex external surface and a concave internal surface, and wherein the tapered stop (1550) is located completely within the curved distal flange (1520);
• and
• a foam sound-attenuating element (1601) having an emitter end and a receiver end, wherein the foam sound-attenuating element (1601) is configured to couple over the single-piece pliable earpiece stem (1501) such that the emitter end of the foam sound-attenuating element (1601) is held in place by the tapered stop (1550) and at least a portion of the foam sound-attenuating element (1601) extends within the curved distal flange (1520).