Electronic Communication and Dosimetry System for High Noise Environments

Creare proposes to complete the development of a system that will simultaneously enable two-way voice communication while monitoring sound exposure to the ear for soldiers working in high noise environments. Current Army artillery crews are forced to work in close proximity to cannons that produce in excess of 180 dB of impulsive noise, which can result in noise-induced hearing loss after brief exposures without sufficient hearing protection. These ground crews also have a need to communicate with other personnel. However, no existing hearing protection system offers sufficient noise reduction for these crews to work safely in extreme noise environments while simultaneously enhancing the communication signal and monitoring sound exposure to the ear. Creare's Electronic Communication and Dosimetry System for High Noise Environments is based on advanced audio signal processing and state-of-the-art acoustic hardware. During the Phase I project, we fabricated and tested a bench-top prototype system. Our test results clearly demonstrated the feasibility of our innovation. During the Phase II project, we will fabricate and test optimized prototype systems for enhanced communications and dosimetry in high noise environments.