SBIR-STTR Award

Hearing Armor, LLC has a non-linear earplug that can protect a Marines hearing while permitting the Marine to hear spoken command and retain situational awareness. Hearing Armor, LLC has produced prototypes that come very near to meeting the specifications identified in SBIR N123-154. The Hearing Armor technology does so without moving parts and without electronics, utilizing a patent pending design. The Hearing Armor uses a deep-ear insertion earplug with a membrane held in a clamped plate that resists loud sounds, withstands up to a two-atmosphere overpressure, and permits normal sounds to be heard. Hearing Armor is encased in an inert soft multi-component silicone invented by the U.S. Navy to attenuate sounds at the frequencies associated with munitions, and muzzle blast. Hearing Armor, LLC respectfully proposes to conduct research and development to enable the refinement of the Hearing Armor technology to achieve the noise attenuation specifications set forth in SBIR N123-154. If successful in Phase I, Hearing Armor can use Phase II for refinement to permit production of the earplug in small, medium and large to fit the majority of Marines as required by SBIR N123-154. Phase II would include laboratory testing and field-testing prove the earplugs efficacy and utility.

Benefit:
In addition to aiding our Marines and other warfighters, the Hearing Armor technology has significant application in a variety of commercial settings. For example, workers in heavy industry are exposed to damaging impact noise. If the workers wear conventional hearing protection they are deprived of the ability to hear normal sounds such as the back-up warning on a forklift. Law enforcement officers and other first responders who often work in loud environments will benefit from the protection afforded by Hearing Armor technology while being able to hear their colleagues. Finally, there are a variety of consumer uses for Hearing Armor, ranging from the homeowner operating a gas-powered leaf-blower to the do-it-yourself enthusiast who uses power tools. Hearing Armor, LLCs business plan identifies three markets: (1) the military, law enforcement and first responders; (2) industry; and (3) consumers. Hearing Armor, LLC estimates that the industrial hearing protection market alone exceeds $300 million in the United States and $800 million globally. Hearing Armor, LLCs marketing plan identifies the various distribution channels in each segment and the means by which Hearing Armor, LLC will commercialize the technology.

Keywords:
Non-Linear, Non-Linear, Steady-State, Hearing, military, impulse, Noise, Protection

The Hearing Armor, LLC non-linear earplugs, without moving parts or electronics, can protect a Marines hearing while permitting the Marine to hear spoken commands and retain situational awareness in combat and non-combat settings. Through SBIR Topic N123-154 Phase I the Hearing Armor technology exceeded the steady-state and impact noise attenuation specifications of 30 dB. The objectives of Hearing Armor, LLCs Phase II proposal are (1) Refinement of the Hearing Armor technology to support a small earplug while achieving an NRR of 12 or less and retaining superior loud sound attenuation; (2) Production of the Hearing Armor earplug in small, medium and large to permit proper fit for the majority of Marines as defined by SBIR N123-154; (3) Independent laboratory testing of all three sizes of the Hearing Armor earplug to confirm continued compliance the SBIR N123-154 specifications; and (4) development of a Universal-Fit foam version of the Hearing Armor earplug that meets the SBIR specifications for use in non-combat settings as demonstrated by independent laboratory testing. Hearing Armor, LLC is proposing an option for field testing of both the combat version and the non-combat version of the Hearing Armor earplug with the Marine Corps to demonstrate the earplugs efficacy and utility. Hearing Armor, LLC will achieve these objectives through research and development using rapid prototyping and agile development techniques.

Benefit:
In addition to aiding our Marines and other Warfighters, the Hearing Armor technology has significant application in a variety of commercial settings. For example, workers in heavy industry are exposed to damaging impact noise. If the workers wear conventional hearing protection they are deprived of the ability to hear normal sounds such as the back-up warning on a forklift. Law enforcement officers and other first responders who often work in loud environments will benefit from the protection afforded by Hearing Armor technology while being able to hear their colleagues. Finally, there are a variety of consumer uses for Hearing Armor, ranging from the homeowner operating a gas-powered leaf-blower to the do-it-yourself enthusiast who uses power tools. Hearing Armor, LLCs business plan identifies four markets: (1) the military; (2) law enforcement and first responders; (3) industry; and (4) consumers. Hearing Armor, LLC estimates that the industrial hearing protection market alone exceeds $300 million in the United States and $800 million globally. Hearing Armor, LLCs marketing plan identifies the various distribution channels in each segment and the means by which Hearing Armor, LLC will commercialize the technology.

Keywords:
Steady-State, Non-Linear, military, Noise, Protection, Hearing, impulse