Portable, Hearing Protection Device (HPD) Assessment System (PHAS)

Good hearing is critical to understanding verbal communications, and to auditory situational awareness in military training and on the battlefield. Also, hearing protection is critical to the health and safety of those exposed to hazardous noise. In veteran"s compensation cases, Tinnitus and Hearing loss are the two most common disabilities awarded by the VA. Exposure to high noise levels, both hazardous and non-hazardous, may lead to excessive fatigue, reduced efficiency, headaches, sleep loss, muscle tension, high blood pressure, reduced reaction time and reduced concentration. (Army Hearing Program ST4-02.501, 2008). The effectiveness of hearing protection is dependent, not only upon the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of the devices, but also upon how they are fitted. The proposed research seeks to develop a portable, low cost, ruggedized, HPD Assessment System, which can be used in the field to validate levels of protection supported by HPDs at a personal level. The system will be capable of testing multiple users simultaneously, support a Field Microphone in Real Ear (F-MIRE) measurement method, provide a Personal Attenuation Rating (PAR) for each patient under test and provide data interfaces which are compatible with existing DOD systems such as the Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System (DOEHRS-HC).