Mesh networked intelligent ear defenders for the prevention of occupational deafness and control of industrial noise risks

Occupational hearing loss is the most prevalent occupational disease in industrialised countries with up to 24% of hearing impairment attributed to occupational noise. It is a Global challenge with significant economic social and physiological impacts-that results in preventable ill health for millions of people. In the US over 10 million workers suffer from the effects of hearing loss due to excessive noise exposures on the job with \>1.1M UK workers exposed to noise above 85dB and therefore at risk of hearing damage.

Despite this prevalence, technological advancement in protection equipment in recent decades has been severely limited, failing to keep pace with user requirements. Passive ear defenders (plugs/muffs) remain the mainstay providing a fixed level of protection but failing to address key user challenges such as interference with on-the job communication with users often required to remove hearing protection to communicate -- inadvertently exposing themselves to damaging noise, product misuse (studies indicating that up to 40% of workers are inadequately protected by earplugs through poor fitting) with limited awareness of the surrounding environment during use (audibility of safety/warning signals).

Eartex, a London based SME, seeks to address these challenges through the development of the first ear defender headset (EAVE) that uniquely combines the capability of real-time monitoring and reporting of noise exposure, personalised hearing protection and wireless communication into a single product and at a cost to enable mass deployment.

Through the collaboration with BAM Nuttall the approach offers: 1\. A wireless mesh network headset for dynamic group communication, self-programmable to the user and changing environment noise levels 2\. Real-time Fit Check and hearing test built in to the device to indicate product misuses 3\. Real-time mapping of noise exposure and personalised reporting to include 'risk awareness alerts' that automatically identify changes in sound from a normal working environment, both protecting works and identifying maintenance issues/asset integrity.

With support through Innovate UK a 21-month programme of research is required to deliver a prototype validated by end-users in a pilot study. If successful this combined functionality has the potential to truly disrupt the hearables market with global exploitation potential as an Industry 4.0 product with wider potential in Healthcare and Consumer markets. For every £1 invested by taxpayers for this project, Eartex are forecast to return £10.90 within the first 5 years of operation.