SBIR-STTR Award

RTH proposes the development of a new passive communications earplug that willprovide 12 dB of additional attenuation compared to traditional devices. The earplugmakes use of a novel attenuation concept that RTH is in the process of patenting.When worn in conjunction with earmuffs or helmets, the total attenuation providedwill be over 45 dBA. The communications earplug, named the ""EOV-Plug,"" will provide auniversal fit. Therefore, expensive and time-consuming ear canal impressions will notbe needed. Due to the unique design of the EOV-Plug, the device will be safer to usethan custom-molded earplugs. The EOV-Plug mitigates the occlusion effect and mayimprove attenuation limitations of hearing protectors due to bone conduction. TheEOV-Plug is compatible with standard earcups, and will be available with and withoutcommunications capability

The further development of a passive hearing protection device with novel passive attenuation feature is proposed. The device implements a new attenuation feature that improves attenuation by 10 dB(A) over traditional devices. Active noise control will be added to the system during the Phase II effort. When used in combination with a helmet, over 50 dB(A) of noise attenuation will be achieved. The attenuation of the system will be limited only by bone conducted noise. RTH Corporation will deliver to the Navy 5 prototype systems that have been fully tested on an acoustic test fixture as well as on humans. The use of the RTH hearing protection device will provide noise attenuation superior to any currently available personal hearing protection device. This technology is directly applicable to the civilian aircraft environment as well as manufacturing plants, construction sites ... The improved attenuation results in superior protection from hearing trauma and improved speech intelligibility.

Keywords:
Passive, Noise, Attenuation, Acoustic, Communications