Offset stem for earplug and earplug formed therewith

1. A stem for an earplug, comprising:

an attachment portion configured to receive and retain a sound attenuating element, the attachment portion extending substantially along an attachment axis; and

a handle portion extending from the attachment portion substantially along a handle axis;

wherein at least part of the handle axis is non-collinear with respect to the attachment axis.

2. The stem of claim 1 , wherein the handle portion includes a proximate portion adjacent to the attachment portion and wherein the proximate portion extends substantially collinear with the attachment axis.

3. The stem of claim 2 , wherein the handle portion further includes a distal portion which extends from the proximate portion substantially along the handle axis.

4. The stem of claim 3 , wherein the distal portion comprises grip features, indicia, and/or symbols formed thereon.

5. The stem of claim 1 , wherein said at least part of the handle axis forms an angle of between about 110° and 140° with the attachment axis.

6. The stem of claim 5 , wherein an entirety of the handle portion extends at said angle from the attachment portion.

7. The stem of claim 1 , wherein said at least part of the handle axis traverses a curve away from the attachment axis and wherein the attachment axis is a substantially longitudinal axis.

8. The stem of claim 1 , further comprising an aperture formed in the handle portion for receiving and retaining a cord.

9. The stem of claim 8 , wherein the aperture is configured to direct the cord in a direction substantially collinear with the handle axis.

10. An earplug, comprising:

a sound attenuating element extending substantially along a first axis; and

a stem extending from the sound attenuating element;

wherein at least a portion of the stem extends substantially along a second axis;

wherein the second axis is not collinear with the first axis.

11. The earplug of claim 10 , wherein the second axis diverges from the first axis at an angle of approximately 110° to 140°.

12. The earplug of claim 10 , wherein the stem includes a proximate portion adjacent to the sound attenuating element and wherein the proximate portion extends substantially along the first axis.

13. The earplug of claim 12 , wherein the stem further includes a distal portion which extends from the proximate portion substantially along the second axis at an angle of approximately 110° to 140° relative to the first longitudinal axis.

14. The earplug of claim 10 , wherein the first axis comprises a substantially longitudinal axis.

15. The earplug of claim 14 , wherein the second axis comprises a substantially longitudinal axis.

16. The earplug of claim 14 , wherein the second axis comprises a section of a curve which curves away from the first axis.

17. The earplug of claim 10 , wherein an entirety of the stem extends substantially along the second axis.

18. The earplug of claim 10 , further comprising an aperture formed in the stem for receiving and retaining a cord.

19. The stem of claim 18 , wherein the aperture is configured to direct the cord in a direction substantially collinear with the second axis.

20. A hearing protector, comprising:

attenuating means for at least partially occluding an ear canal to attenuate sound;

handle means extending from the attenuating means for facilitating handling, insertion, and removal of the hearing protector;

wherein the handle means is offset relative to the attenuating means for disposing the handle means in close proximity to the ear of the wearer.