I have never used this product, but I like the concept. Thanks to KitUp for bringing it to my attention as well. The big ear muffs that guys wear on the range or for convoy security are not exactly the most comfortable option for ear protection and communications. Plus, if you wear glasses with those muffs, the arm of your sunglasses can press against your head by the ear muffs and cause discomfort. It also breaks the seal between the muff and the ear area, unless you have special glasses or are wearing them above the muff off your head.
The muffs are still fine for range work or for the occasional convoy stuff, and you can still wear your sunglasses or goggles in a way where the seal is not broken. But still, it is not the most ideal arrangement and especially if you want to go low profile.
The other factor with muffs is that they are hot and add weight to an already weighted down head (helmet, NODs, etc.) Anything to lessen that weight, yet still achieve the same results as muffs, is pretty cool in my book.
Now onto the downside with plugs like this. Usually you sacrifice something when you reduce the size of the device. I don’t know if this setup below would be that durable. The battery life and durability of the electronics and the rigors of combat zone operations all come into play. It must be able to handle a bunch of sweat and dirt bombarding the thing, as well as continuous abuse of the wires. If it can’t handle all of that, then I don’t think it will win many guys over.
There are other electronic earplugs out there that I have seen at hunting stores and shooting ranges, but they are all kind of lacking. With those, there are no wires, but they are also not that rugged and are easy to lose. At least with these QUIETPRO+ Earplugs, they are tethered together via the wiring. The one earplug that I have heard good things about is the Invisio Bone Mic stuff, but that is about it. Maybe there are others the readers can suggest?
I guess the big one for me is that I want hearing protection that is comfortable, lightweight, unobtrusive, durable, functional(plays well with multiple types of radios), has outstanding clarity, and has excellent circuitry for shutting off the loud noises yet able to filter in all the important stuff. Battery life is important too, and you don’t want the thing shutting down in the middle of a mission. If QUIETPRO+ can do all of that, then that sounds like some good kit. –Matt
—————————————————————–
The earplug comprises a miniature loudspeaker and both internal and external microphones. (Credit: Image courtesy of SINTEF)
Earplug Lets the Message Through
June 29, 2010
An earplug with a built-in computer that allows speech to pass but shuts out unwanted and hazardous noise will make life easier in noisy environments.
The basic technology in the QUIETPRO earplug was developed at SINTEF ICT .The earplug comprises a miniature loudspeaker and both internal and external microphones. The inner microphone measures the noise in the ear. The earplug shuts out the noise but allows speech to pass, thanks to the electronics built into a microchip. In quiet surroundings the sounds that we wish to hear are allowed past, but in a noisy environment, the system shuts out the noise, allowing only speech to pass. The electronics are built into a tiny chip. In combination with a radio, the system is a complete communications terminal for use in noisy environments.
Noisy surroundings
One of the main principles of the earplug is that sounds are not attenuated more that necessary, so that the user does not feel that he is acoustically shut off from his surroundings. When it is quiet, QUIETPRO is completely “transparent,” with the result that the user can hold a normal conversation. The system has been designed for continuous use, ensuring that hearing is always protected and that messages reach the user whether they arrive via direct acoustic channels, a public-address system or the radio.
The user’s voice is captured in the ear canal, virtually free of noise. This is used for radio communication, so neither a hand-held microphone or microphone clip in front of the mouth, are required. QUIETPRO also functions as a “hands-free” terminal for most types of radio unit.
Nacre
The Nacre technology company was set up in 1994 in order to commercialize the earplug. The earplug was tested in the laboratory, in real-life noisy environments and in conjunction with military communications systems. The Norwegian and Swedish armed forces provided financial support for the development of the system. Noise from artillery, personal firearms and tanks has been included in the test programme, and the versions of QUIETPRO now available on the market have mainly been developed for military purposes.
Applications
In 2006, Nacre won a contract to supply QUIETPRO communications terminals and hearing protectors to the US Marines. The contract was worth more than NOK 200 million, and is regarded as the definitive commercial breakthrough for the company, which now in 2010 has 20 employees.
In 2007, the French company Bacou-Dalloz (now Sperian Protection) bought Nacre for about NOK 750 million. The sale is the biggest ever of a SINTEF spin-off. Nacre continues to operate from Trondheim.
QUIETPRO functions equally well alongside a production line, in a machine room on board ship or in a military tank. It can be used on offshore platforms, in police operations or by fire-fighters.
Statoil, Nacre and SINTEF have during the last four years had a close cooperation to develop a civilian version of QUIETPRO especially adapted for offshore use. According to Statoil as a new user, the introduction of the earplug represents an entirely new paradigm in the quest to protect the employees from noise — included hearing loss.
Story here.
——————————————————————
Nacre Launches New QUIETPRO+ Into Operational Service
Nacre is delighted to announce the launch of the new QUIETPRO+ Intelligent Hearing System into service with the Norwegian Army.
QUIETPRO® is a fully automated hearing preservation and communication system, it enhances soldier’s hearing when needed and continuously protects it against temporary and permanent damage. Specifically, it protects the soldier against the full range of battlefield noises and allows for clear and precise tactical communications when operating in mounted and dismounted roles.
QUIETPRO+ is the latest development from Nacre that further enhances the capability of the soldier. Based on the in-theatre proven QUIETPRO®, the QUIETPRO+ introduces a dual wireless PTT, binaural radio and intercom interface (for split ear communications) and a ‘whisper mode’ function.
Using Digital Active Noise Reduction technology with advanced Signal Processing, the QUIETPRO+ delivers unrivalled levels of performance and hearing protection.
Following an extensive qualification and testing phase, the QUIETPRO+ was successfully delivered in December 2008 to the Norwegian Army as part of a €4.5 million contract.
Mr Eivind Bergsmyr, Nacre President and CEO, commented on the launch of the new product: “QUIETPRO+ incorporates many of the improvements that the existing QUIETPRO® customers have been requesting. We are delighted that the product still meets the same high level of environmental and protection performance as its predecessor.”
Evaluation and demonstration units are available. For further information contact
· USA and Canada Enquiries: Mr Brian Burns – bburns@nacre-us.com
· International Enquiries: Mr Gunnar Gran – gunnar.gran@nacre.no
Quiet Pro Nacre website here.
Story on Kit Up here.