EAR CUP

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an ear cup comprising a sealing ring, a cap shell and a sound attenuation material arranged inside said cap shell. An inside surface of said cap shell defines a sound attenuation space and an outside surface of said cap shell is adapted to form an outermost surface when the ear cup is worn by a user. The present invention further relates to an ear cup comprising a first and a second unit, wherein the first unit comprises electronic equipment. The present invention further relates to an ear cup comprising a sound attenuation unit and an optional unit.

Technical background

Hearing protection is used under circumstances when the noise of the surroundings is considered disturbingly loud or when the noise otherwise would harm the hearing of a person exposed to the noise. Such locations may be in the manufacturing industry, airports, mines etc.

A common type of hearing protection comprises two ear cups or earmuffs, which are connected to each other by a headband. The headband is adapted to be placed over the head of the user and the two ear cups are adapted to be arranged one on each side of the user's head so as to enclose respective external ear of the user. Each ear cup comprises a cap shell, which usually is made of plastic, a sealing ring, which is adapted to, by being resilient, fit the head of the user, and some kind of sound attenuating material arranged inside the cap shell. The ear cups are also commonly provided with a so-called bottom plate. The bottom plate is positioned between the sealing ring and the cap shell and connects the sealing ring to the cap shell. The bottom plate also commonly acts to keep the sound attenuating material in place inside the cap shell.

The function of the hearing protection is to attenuate sound from noise sources in the surroundings so that the sound does not reach the user's ears without first being attenuated to acceptable levels.

Even if the user of the hearing protection wants to exclude harmful noise levels, he/she may still wants to listen to radio, communicate with persons in the surroundings, communicate via a mobile phone etc, without

having to remove the hearing protection. Removing the hearing protection would risk harming the user's hearing.

In order to listen to for example radio, there is provided hearing protection in form of earmuffs comprising a radio arranged in the ear cup. In addition to a radio unit, the ear cup comprises an amplifier and a loudspeaker. An example of such an earmuff with a radio is the AM/FM Radio Earmuff manufactured by Sperian Hearing Protection.

In addition to a radio function, ear cups may be provided with a microphone for recording conversation in the surroundings, a microphone for recording the speech of the user of the ear cup, or other electronic equipment.

A drawback of these kinds of ear cups provided with a radio, microphone, or the like, is that the user of the hearing protection has to buy a completely new pair of ear cups if he/she wants to add new functionality to the ear cups. Additionally, the user has to alternate between different pairs of ear cups having different functions for obtaining different functionalities.

Alternatively, the user can connect external electric equipment to the ear cup by using a cable. The cable connecting the external equipment with the ear cup in received in an input jack of the ear cup. By using a cable, it is possible to connect various electronic equipments to the ear cup.

A drawback of this alternative is that it may be inconvenient or uncomfortable to wear a cable extending between the ear cup and the external electronic equipment. Usually, the user places the external equipment in a pocket, the user thus having a cable extending from the pocket to the hearing protection. As hearing protection often is used during circumstances where the user of the hearing protection is active and has to move about freely, a cable may hinder the user in his/her work. Additionally, it may even be dangerous under some circumstances to carry a loose cable, since it may get stuck in machine equipment, with the risk of causing severe injuries to the user.

WO 2006/118515 and WO 2006/118516 disclose an ear cup for a hearing protection having an inner cup portion and an outer cup portion. A space between the inner and outer cup portion is adapted to accommodate electronics. According to these documents, the electronics is enclosed by the outer cup portion, and thereby not easily accessible nor easily exchangeable for the user of the hearing protection.

WO 2005/051255 discloses a unit for a hearing protector comprising a microphone, an amplifier and a loudspeaker. The unit is insertable in a recess of the hearing hood with a bottom wall and is covered by a covering plate. The bottom wall has a perforation or opening for the loudspeaker such that the signal from the loudspeaker reaches the inside of the hearing hood and the user's ear. Due to the perforation or opening in the bottom wall of the hearing hood, the hearing hood does not form a sound attenuation space when the unit is removed from the hearing hood. When the unit is detached from the hearing hood, noise will leak into the inside of the hearing hood.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement over the above described techniques and prior art.

A further object is to provide an ear cup, which is compatible with different kinds of electronic equipments.

A further object is to provide a flexible ear cup, which provides the possibility of adding new functionality to the ear cup.

Another object is to provide a flexible ear cup, which provides the possibility of changing between different functionalities of the ear cup. A further object is to reduce the need for buying a completely new pair of ear cups when the user wants to add new functionality to the ear cups.

At least some of these and other objects and advantages that will be apparent from the description have been achieved by an ear cup comprising a sealing ring, a cap shell and a sound attenuation material arranged inside said cap shell, wherein an inside surface of said cap shell defines a sound attenuation space and an outside surface of said cap shell is adapted to form an outermost surface when the ear cup is worn by a user. The outside surface of said cap shell comprises a locking member for removably attaching an optional unit. The ear cup is adapted to be used in a first mode of use with the optional unit attached to the cap shell and in a second mode of use without the optional unit attached to the cap shell.

An advantage of the present invention is that the ear cup is connectable to different kind of external equipments, which may be provided in the optional unit, and that it is possible to attach the optional unit to the ear cup. Thus, the user does not have to carry the external equipment in, for example, a pocket and does not have to be troubled about a cable connecting the ear cup with the external equipment. Consequently, the ear cup having

the optional unit attached to the outside surface of the cap shell is as convenient and safe to wear as an ear cup having the functionality included in the ear cup from the beginning, but the functionality of the ear cup is much more flexible. Further, as the optional unit is attached to the outside surface of the cap shell, the optional unit is easy accessible for the user. Consequently, it is easy to attach or detach the optional unit to the outside surface of the cap shell.

When the ear cup is used without the optional unit, the sound attenuation capacity of the ear cup is maintained. Since the optional unit is attached to the outside surface of the cap shell, the optional unit does not affect the sound attenuation space nor the sound attenuation capacity of the ear cup. Therefore, the ear cup may be used both with and without the optional unit. Another advantage is that it is possible to add new functionality to the ear cup simply by purchasing the desired functionality in form of an optional unit and attaching the optional unit to the ear cup. It is also possible to change between different functionalities of the ear cup simply by changing between different optional units. A further advantage is that the user does not have to buy a completely new pair of ear cups when he/she wants add new functionality to the ear cup. Instead of buying a new pair of ear cups, it is possible to purchase an optional unit with the desired functionality, which is attachable to the ear cup. Still, when the optional unit is attached to the ear cup, the optional unit forms an integrated part of the ear cup as it is attached to the outside surface of the cap shell.

It is not necessary, but preferred that the ear cup is adapted to be used without the optional unit, or the second unit.

The optional unit may be adapted to form a portion of said outermost surface. In this way, the optional unit forms an integrated part of the ear cup having no protruding parts. There is a risk that any protruding parts or loose items, such as cables, or the like, may get stuck in machine equipment. By avoiding any protruding or loose parts, this risk is reduced and the safety of the user is improved. The optional unit may comprise electronic equipment. By attaching the optional unit comprising electronic equipment, the user adds the functionality of the optional unit to the ear cup. For example, if the user wants to add

Bluetooth ^® -functionality to the ear cup for establishing communication with his/her mobile phone, he/she simply purchases a Bluetooth ^® unit. As new technologies develop, the users can upgrade their ear cup with new functionality. Further, it is possible to add operations requiring electronic equipment to an ear cup provided with only passive noise attenuation. It is also possible to add new functionality to an ear cup already provided with electronic equipment in the ear cup.

The ear cup may further comprise a first connector adapted to receive a signal from a second connector of the optional unit when the optional unit is attached to the ear cup. In this way, it is possible to transmit signals and establish a communication between the ear cup and the optional unit, or vice versa. Accordingly, the optional unit may interact with equipment arranged in the ear cup.

The ear cup may further comprise a loudspeaker adapted to transmit sound in response to a signal transmitted by said optional unit. The loudspeaker submits audio signals to the user of the ear cup as a response to the signal transmitted by the optional unit. For instance, if the optional unit comprises an mp3-player, the loudspeaker of the ear cup reproduces the signal from the mp3-player as an audio signal. If the optional unit comprises warning equipment, the loudspeaker reproduces an acoustic warning signal as a response to the signal transmitted by the optional unit. Consequently, the optional unit does not have to comprise equipment for reproducing sound or equipment for notifying the user in any other way. Instead, the equipment of the discussed type is provided in the ear cup. The ear cup may further comprise an amplifier adapted to receive a signal from the first connector and to amplify and transmit the signal to the loudspeaker. When arranging the amplifier in the ear cup, it is possible to reduce to a minimum the equipment that has to be arranged in the optional unit. Instead, the optional unit uses the amplifier and the loudspeaker of the ear cup.

A portion of the outside surface of said cap shell may be shaped to define a recess adapted to removably receive the optional unit. When the optional unit is received in the recess, it forms an integrated part of the ear cup. Further, it is possible to design the optional unit such that no parts protrude from the outside surface of the cap shell. The recess may be formed as an indentation in the cap shell thereby making it possible for the cap shell

to retain its sound attenuation capacity irrespectively of if the optional unit is attached to the ear cup or not.

The locking member may comprise a snap lock adapted to removably attach the optional unit. With a snap lock, the optional unit is easily attachable and detachable to the outside surface of the cap shell. The user does not have to use a tool for attaching the optional unit, or for changing between different optional units.

According to another aspect of the invention, an ear cup comprising a first and a second unit is provided. The first unit forms a sound attenuation space and comprises a first connector. The second unit comprises a second connector and electronic equipment adapted to transmit a signal to the second connector. The first connector is adapted to be connected to the second connector and to receive said signal from the second connector. The second unit is adapted to be removably supported by the first unit, wherein the first connector and the second connector are adapted to be separated from each other when the second unit is removed from the first unit. The ear cup is adapted to be used in a first mode of use with the second unit attached to the first unit and in a second mode of use without the second unit attached to the first unit. An advantage of the inventive concept is that the second unit is connectable to different kind of external equipments which may be provided in the first unit and that it is possible to attach the second unit to the first unit. Thus, the user does not have to carry the external equipment in, for example, a pocket and does not have to be troubled about a cable connecting the ear cup with the external equipment. Consequently, the first unit having the second unit attached to it is as convenient and safe to wear as an ear cup having the functionality included in the ear cup from the beginning, but the functionality of the ear cup is much more flexible.

Further, according to the inventive concept, it is possible to transmit a signal and establish a communication between the first and second unit without using any cables. Since the first and second unit are directly connected by means of the first and second connectors, the disadvantages associated with having a cable connecting the ear cup and the electronic equipment may be eliminated. The signal from the second unit may be further processed in the first unit, such that the second unit interacts with the first unit for producing the desired functionality.

Another advantage is that it is possible to add new functionality to the ear cup simply by purchasing the desired functionality in form of the second unit and attaching the second unit to the first unit. It is also possible to change between different functionalities of the ear cup simply by changing between different second units.

A further advantage is that the user does not have to buy a completely new pair of ear cups when he/she wants add new functionality to the ear cup. Instead of buying a new pair of ear cups, it is possible to purchase a second unit with the desired functionality, which is attachable to the first unit. When the ear cup is used without the second unit, the sound attenuation ability of the ear cup is maintained since the first unit defines a sound attenuation space. Therefore, the ear cup may be used both with and without the second unit.

The first unit may comprise a loudspeaker adapted to transmit sound in response to said signal. The loudspeaker submits audio signals to the user of the ear cup as a response to the signal transmitted by the first unit. For instance, if the second unit comprises an mp3-player, the loudspeaker of the first unit reproduces the signal from the mp3-player as an audio signal. If the second unit comprises warning equipment, the loudspeaker of the first unit reproduces an acoustic warning signal as a response to the signal transmitted by the second unit. Consequently, the second unit does not have to comprise equipment for reproducing sound or equipment for notifying the user in any other way. Instead, the equipment of the discussed type is provided in the first unit. The first unit may comprise an amplifier adapted to receive said signal from the second connector and to amplify and transmit said signal to the loudspeaker. When arranging the amplifier in the first unit, it is possible to reduce to a minimum the equipment that have to be arranged in the second unit. Instead, the second unit uses the amplifier and the loudspeaker of the first unit.

The first unit may be shaped to define a recess adapted to removably receive the second unit. When the second unit is received in the recess of the first unit, it forms an integrated part of the first unit forming the sound attenuation space. Further, it is possible to design the second unit such that no parts protrude from the first unit. The recess may be formed as an indentation in the cap shell thereby making it possible for the cap shell to

retain its sound attenuation capacity irrespectively of if the optional unit is attached to the ear cup or not.

The second unit may be removably attached to the first unit by a snap lock. With a snap lock, the second unit is easily attachable and detachable to the first unit. The user does not have to use a tool for attaching the second unit, or for changing between different units.

According to a further aspect of the invention, an ear cup comprising a sound attenuation unit and an optional unit is provided. The sound attenuation unit forms a sound attenuation space and comprises a first connector. The optional unit comprises a second connector and electronic equipment adapted to transmit a signal to the second connector. The first connector is adapted to be connected to the second connector and to receive said signal from the second connector. The optional unit is adapted to be removably supported by the sound attenuation unit, wherein the first connector and the second connector are adapted to be separated from each other when the optional unit is removed from the sound attenuation unit. The ear cup is adapted to be used in a first mode of use with the optional unit attached to the sound attenuation unit and in a second mode of use without the optional unit attached to the sound attenuation unit. An advantage of the inventive concept is that the optional unit is connectable to different kind of external equipments which may be provided in the sound attenuation unit and that it is possible to attach the optional unit to the sound attenuation unit. Thus, the user does not have to carry the external equipment in, for example, a pocket and does not have to be troubled about a cable connecting the ear cup with the external equipment. Consequently, the sound attenuation unit having the optional unit attached to it is as convenient and safe to wear as an ear cup having the functionality included in the ear cup from the beginning, but the functionality of the ear cup is much more flexible. Further, according to the inventive concept, it is possible to transmit a signal and establish a communication between the sound attenuation and the optional unit without using any cables. Since the sound attenuation and the optional unit are directly connected by means of the first and second connectors, the disadvantages associated with having a cable connecting the ear cup and the electronic equipment may be eliminated. The signal from the optional unit may be further processed in the sound attenuation unit, such that

the optional unit interacts with the sound attenuation unit for producing the desired functionality.

Another advantage is that it is possible to add new functionality to the ear cup simply by purchasing the desired functionality in form of the optional unit and attaching the optional unit to the sound attenuation unit. It is also possible to change between different functionalities of the ear cup simply by changing between different optional units.

A further advantage is that the user does not have to buy a completely new pair of ear cups when he/she wants add new functionality to the ear cup. Instead of buying a new pair of ear cups, it is possible to purchase an optional unit with the desired functionality, which is attachable to the sound attenuation unit.

When the ear cup is used without the optional unit, the sound attenuation ability of the ear cup is maintained since the sound attenuation unit defines a sound attenuation space. Therefore, the ear cup may be used both with and without the optional unit.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will by way of example be described in more detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, which show an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows a hearing protection comprising a pair of ear cups with an optional unit attached to a cap shell of one of the ear cups.

Fig. 2 shows the hearing protection when the optional unit is detached from the cap shell.

Fig. 3A shows the ear cup when the optional unit is detached from the cap shell.

Fig. 3B shows a partial enlargement of the portion indicated A in fig. 3A, wherein the optional unit and a locking member attaching the optional unit to the cap shell are shown in more detail.

Fig. 4 shows the optional unit in more detail.

Detailed description

In the following description, wherein the present invention will be described in more detail, it will be understood that the optional unit 10 also is referred to as a second unit 10, and that the ear cup 3 forming a sound

attenuation space also is referred to as a first unit 3a and as a sound attenuation unit 3a.

Fig. 1 illustrates a hearing protection 1 comprising a headband 2 and two ear cups 3. The ear cups 3 are connected to the respective ends of the headband 2. In use, a user (not shown) places an ear cup 3 over each ear, the headband 2 holding the ear cups 3 in place on the user's head.

The ear cup 3 comprises a cup-shaped cap 4, sound attenuation material, a bottom plate 6 and a sealing ring 7. The sound attenuation material is arranged in the cavity of the cup-shaped cap 4. A farther side, i.e. the side facing away from the user, of the bottom plate 6 is fixed to the cup- shaped cap 4. The sealing ring 7 is fixed to a front side, i.e. the side facing the user, of the bottom plate 6. The cap 4 has an edge portion, which defines an opening of the cap 4.

The cap 4 is formed of a cap shell 8 defining a cup. An inside surface of the cap shell 8 defines a sound attenuation space. The sound attenuation space resembles a space as enclosed by a half-sphere. An outside surface 31 of the cap shell 8, i.e. the side facing away from the user and away from the enclosed space, is adapted to form an outermost surface 32, facing away from the user, when the user wears the cap 4. On the outside surface 31 of the cap shell 8 two fastening means 5 are positioned. The fastening means 5, which can be, for instance, two pins, are arranged to fasten the headband 2 to the cap 4. A cable 9 connects the two caps 4.

An optional unit 10 is removably attached to the outside surface 31 of the cap shell 8 of one or both of the ear cups 3. The optional unit 10 comprises electronic equipment such as sensors, a Bluetooth ^® communication unit, power supply, microphone, radio, media player, indicator devices, positioning systems, wireless communication systems, or the like. An outer surface 33 of the optional unit 10, when attached to the cap shell 8, extends in flush with, and in the eyes of the user forms a portion of, the outermost surface 32 of the cap shell 8. The optional unit 10 is attached to the cap shell 8 by means of a locking member 11 , 21 , which will be described in more detail with reference to figs. 3A and 3B.

The optional unit 10 provides additional electronic equipment to the ear cup. It is possible to switch between different kinds of electronic equipments by changing between different optional units 10.

A power supply, such as a battery, or the like, arranged in the ear cup 3 provides power to electronic equipment arranged in the optional unit 10, as well as to electronic equipment arranged in the ear cup 3, if any. Alternatively, the optional unit 10 may be provided with a power supply unit for providing power to electronic equipment arranged in the optional unit 10, or to electronic equipment arranged in the ear cup 3 as well. A combination of the alternatives is possible, wherein power supply units are arranged in the optional unit 10 as well as in the ear cup 3. Alternatively, power supply may be provided in an external unit, such as in a second optional unit. Power transfer between the optional unit 10 and the ear cup 3 may be arranged in any conventional way. For example, means for power transfer may be included in the connectors, which will be described in more detail with reference to figs. 3A, 3B and fig. 4.

In fig. 2, the optional unit 10 is detached and partly removed from the ear cup 3. A recess 20 is formed as an indentation in a portion of the outside surface 31 of the cap shell 8 for removably receiving the optional unit 10. The optional unit 10 is received in the cap shell 8 such that an outside surface 33 of the optional unit 10 is in flush with and forms a portion of the outermost surface 32 of the cap shell 8. When the optional unit 10 is received in the cap shell 8, the outside surface 31 of the optional unit 10 and the outside surface 33 of the cap shell 8 form a continuous surface.

With reference to fig. 3A, fig. 3B and fig. 4, the optional unit 10 will be described in more detail. The optional unit 10 is provided with a locking member 11. The locking member 11 of the optional unit 10 cooperates with a locking member 21 of the cap shell 8. In this embodiment, the locking members 11 , 21 are in form of a snap lock. In the recess 20, notches 22 are arranged in both side surfaces 34, 35 of the recess 20. The locking member 11 of the optional unit 10 comprises two members 13, 14, which are resiliently moveable towards each other and arranged at a distance 15 from a main body of the optional unit 10. The two resilient members 13, 14 are provided with two protrusions 12. The protrusions 12 are arranged on side surfaces 36, 37 of the resilient members 13, 14, respectively, and are extending outwardly in a direction perpendicular to the side surface 36, 37 of the resilient member 13, 14. The protrusions 12 are adapted to engage with the notches 22 in the cap shell 8 for locking the optional unit 10 to cap shell 8. When the protrusions are engaging the notches 22, the optional unit 10 is secured to the cap shell 8. There is a number of commercially available techniques of

securing the optional unit 10 to the cap shell 8, and the locking members 11 , 21 described above are illustrative and not in any way limiting.

The optional unit 10 is removed from the cap shell 8 by releasing the protrusions 12 from the notches 22. This is achieved by pressing the two resilient members 13,14 towards each other. When the resilient members 13, 14 are pressed towards each other, the protrusions 12 are released from the notches 22. It is then possible to remove the optional unit 10 from the recess 20.

A guide tab 23 is extending from the cap shell 8 in the recess 20. The guide tab 23 is adapted to guide the optional unit 10 when it is introduced in the recess 20. When the optional unit 10 is received in the recess 20 and locked to the cap shell 8, the guide tab 23 is adapted to support the optional unit 10. The optional unit 10 is provided with a corresponding recess 17 adapted to receive the guide tab 23. In a first embodiment, the optional unit 10 comprises electronic equipment that does not communicate with any other electronic equipment. In such a case, the optional unit 10 acts as an independent module, which is attached to the ear cup 3. In this embodiment, the ear cup 3 may be of the type having passive sound attenuation and no electronic equipment. In this case, the optional unit 10 adds additional functionality to the ear cup 3.

In further embodiments, the ear cup 3 is provided with a first connector 24. The first connector 24 is arranged on a back surface 38 of the recess 20 in the cap shell. The first connector 24 is connected to electronic equipment arranged in the ear cup 3. The optional unit 10 comprises a second connector 16. The second connector 16 is arranged on a back surface 39 of the optional unit 10. The second connector 16 is connected to the electronic equipment arranged in the optional unit 10. The second connector 16 is adapted to receive a signal from the electronic equipment of the optional unit 10. When the optional unit 10 is received in the recess 20, the first and second connectors 16, 24 are in contact with each other. The second connector 16 is adapted to transmit a signal to the first connector 24. The first connector 24 is adapted to receive the signal from the second connector 16. Thereby, the optional unit 10 is connected to the ear cup 3 such that a signal may be transmitted between them. As well as a signal can be transmitted from the optional unit 10 to the ear cup 3, a signal can be transmitted from the ear cup 3 to the optional unit 10.

When the optional unit 10 is received in the recess 20, the optional unit 10 is connected to ear cup 3. Thus, the optional unit 10 is easily connectable to the ear cup 3. When the user wants to remove the optional unit 10 from the ear cup, he/she simply releases the protrusions 12 by pressing the resilient members 13, 14 towards each other and pulls the optional unit 10 outwards from the recess 20.

In a second embodiment, the ear cup 3 comprises a loudspeaker and an amplifier. The amplifier is adapted to receive a signal from the first connector 24. In this embodiment, a signal from the electronic equipment of the optional unit 10 is transmitted to the second connector 16. The signal is then transmitted from the second connector 16 to the first connector 24, which is connected to the amplifier or the loudspeaker.

In this embodiment, the signal from the electronic equipment in the optional unit 10 is transmitted to the amplifier and then further transmitted to the loudspeaker to be communicated to the user of the ear cup 3. The cable 9 transmits the signal from the ear cup 3 having the optional unit 10 received in the recess 20 to the other ear cup. In this way, the electronic equipment of optional unit 10 interacts with the electronic equipment arranged in the ear cup 3. In a third embodiment, the ear cup 3 comprises an audio mixer for controlling signals from different sources. The ear cup 3 comprises, in addition to a loudspeaker and an amplifier, electronic equipment, for instance a radio or a microphone. The audio mixer is adapted to control the signals from the electronic equipment of the ear cup 3 and from the electronic equipment of the optional unit 10.

In a fourth embodiment, the ear cup 3 is adapted to receive more than one optional unit 10. The second optional unit may be received in the recess 20, or in an additional recess. For example, the first optional unit 10 may comprise a media player and the second optional unit may comprise a microphone. In this embodiment, the ear cup 3 comprises a loudspeaker, an amplifier and an audio mixer for controlling signals from the electronic equipment of the first optional unit and of the second optional unit. The second optional unit comprises a third connector adapted to transmit a signal to the first connector 24, or to a fourth connector of the ear cup 3. The fourth connector is arranged on the cap shell 8 of the ear cup 3. The signal from the second optional unit is forwarded, via the first connector 24 or the fourth

connector, to the audio mixer, and then to the amplifier for finally being transmitted to the loudspeaker.

In a fifth embodiment, the optional unit 10 comprises more than one type of electronic equipment. For example, the optional unit 10 may comprise both a sensor and a Bluetooth ^® module. The second connector 16 is adapted to transmit a first signal from first electronic equipment of the optional unit 10 and a second signal from the second electronic equipment of the optional unit 10. The ear cup 3 comprises a loudspeaker, an amplifier and an audio mixer for controlling the signals from the first and second electronic equipments of the optional unit 10.

In a sixth embodiment, the optional unit 10 comprises electronic equipment measuring environmental parameters. The ear cup 3 comprises a processor unit for processing a signal transmitted from the electronic equipment of the optional unit 10, which measures environmental parameters, to the ear cup 3. The signal is transmitted from the second connector 16 of the optional unit 10 to the first connector 24 of the ear cup 3. The processor unit processes the signal from the optional unit 10 for obtaining information based on the environmental parameters measured by the optional unit 10. It is contemplated that there are numerous modifications of the embodiments described herein, which are still within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

For instance, it is contemplated that the optional unit may comprise any type of electronic equipment. The examples described above are only illustrative, and not in any way limiting. It is also contemplated that in one embodiment, certain electronic equipment may be arranged in the optional unit, and in another embodiment, similar electronic equipment may be arranged in the ear cup. Electronic equipment arranged in the ear cup may be combined with additional electronic equipment arranged in the optional unit. Usually, a hearing protection comprises two ear cups. Even if reference is given to an ear cup above, it is contemplated that some equipment may be arranged in a first ear cup, and some equipment may be arranged in a second ear cup. A cable connecting the ear cups may in such a case be provided for establishing a connection between the first and second ear cups, such that signals may be transmitted between the ear cups. It is contemplated that the ear cup may be provided with active sound attenuation for blocking sound in frequencies damaging the human hearing

and allowing sound in voice and signal frequencies. Alternatively, the ear cup may be provided with passive sound attenuation.

Further, it is contemplated that the hearing protection may be purchased with or without the optional unit. If the hearing protection is purchased without an optional unit, the recess may be covered by a covering plate.