High-tech ear gear offers more protection

[unhappycamper]

The QuietPro hearing protection system.


High-tech ear gear offers more protection
By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Mar 1, 2008 7:32:46 EST

The new device consists of a foam earplug that sits deep inside the ear canal and connects with a wire to an electronic box strapped to a Marine’s vest, like an iPod. It moderates the sound entering the ear, allowing conversation and most background noises to flow in, but clipping out large sound waves from gunshots and explosions, as well as low-frequency noises such as the steady rumble of a moving vehicle.

“It’s like having a bionic ear,” said Ron Oyler, director of technical support with the North Carolina office of Nacre, the Norway-based company that makes the device, known as QuietPro.

Integrated with the radio communications systems, the device allows troops to hear their radios and maintain complete situational awareness. A digital processor locks up at any sign of a blast that could damage the inner ear, company officials said, and opens up again immediately after a blast to permit normal sound.

This sort of advanced and costly technology has been used before, mainly among high-ranking senior leaders and elite special-operations units, but the new contract shipping to Marines and soldiers marks the first time junior troops will have such protection, company officials said.

“This is particularly tailored for ground forces,” Nacre President Eivind Bergsmyr said in a telephone interview.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/03/marine_hearing_030108/



uhc comment: The quitePro costs only $1,125 for the first 24,000 --> http://www.defense-update.com/products/q/quietpro.htm