Method and apparatus for underwater communication

Apparatus for communicating sound-related vibrations to the cochlea of an underwater diver comprising

• a mouthpiece for use in underwater breathing apparatus;
• means for receiving acoustic signals and converting said acoustic signals to electrical audio driver signals;
• transducer means mounted in said mouthpiece and adapted to be held in selectively compressible vibration-transmitting engagement with a surface of a tooth of the diver and responsive to said input electrical audio driver signals for imparting corresponding vibratory signals to said tooth and hence to the ear and cochlea of the diver via facial bone structure;
• wherein said transducer means is a piezoelectric crystal transducer.

A method for an underwater diver to receive underwater communication comprising the steps of:

• (a) mounting a transducer in the mouthpiece of an underwater breathing device in selectively compressible vibration-transmitting contact with a surface of a tooth of the diver;
• (b) transmitting input electrical audio driver signals from an underwater acoustic receiver to said transducer;
• (c) converting said input signals to output sound-related vibrations via said transducer;
• and
• (d) imparting said vibrations to said tooth surface for osseous conduction to the cochlea.

Apparatus for communicating sound to the cochlea of a person comprising:

• a mouthpiece adapted to fit between and be engaged by the person's maxillary and mandibular teeth;
• a transducer mounted in said mouthpiece for selectively compressible engagement with at least one tooth by muscles of the person and responsive to electrical audio driver signals applied thereto for imparting corresponding vibratory signals to said tooth for transmission through bone structure to the cochlea of the person;
• and
• means for applying electrical audio driver signals to said transducer.

A method of transmitting sound to the cochlea of a person comprising the steps of:

• (a) disposing a mouthpiece in the persons's mouth for selectively compressible retention between the person's mandibular and maxillary teeth;
• (b) mounting a transducer in said mouthpiece for compressible contact against a surface of a tooth of the person as a function of said selectively compressible retention;
• (c) applying electrical audio driver signals to said transducer;
• and
• (d) with said transducer, converting the driver signal to corresponding mechanical vibrations and applying said vibrations to said tooth surface for transmission through bone structure to the person's cochlea.

Apparatus for communicating sound-related vibrations to the cochlea of an underwater diver comprising:

• a mouthpiece for use in underwater breathing apparatus;
• means for receiving acoustic signals and converting said acoustic signals to electrical audio driver signals;
• transducer means mounted in the said mouthpiece of an underwater breathing device and adapted to be held in selectively compressible vibration-transmitting engagement with a surface of a tooth of a the diver and responsive to said input electrical audio driver signals for imparting corresponding vibratory signals to said tooth and hence to the ear and cochlea of the diver via facial bone structure;
• engagement means for holding said mouthpiece-mounted transducer means in said vibration-transmitting engagement with said tooth surface;
• and
• connecting means for delivering said input electrical audio driver signals to said transducer means.