Electronic Communication and Dosimetry System for High Noise Environments

Creare proposes to design, fabricate, and test a system that will simultaneously enable full duplex voice communication while monitoring sound exposure to the ear for soldiers working in high noise environments. Current Army artillery crews are forced towork 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 withother 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 theear.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 will fabricate and test a bench-top prototype system.During the Phase II project, we will fabricate and test optimized prototype systems for enhanced communications and dosimetry in high noise environments. The Creare system for electronic communications and dosimetry in high noise environments will reduce the harmful effects of long duration exposure to extremely high noise levels, will facilitate speech intelligibility, and will monitor individuals forsound exposure. The system can be used by tank crews, flight crews, flight deck personnel, mechanized infantry, and commercial operators of noisy equipment.