Audiomorphic Ear Plug

Description

NEW Audiomorphic^TM Earplug

Protect your ears without sacrificing Communications! The louder it gets the more sound they block.

Best in class IPIL 41 dB attenuation at 160 dB impact sound level – best protection for gunshot
Lowest NRR tested at 95 dB (12 dB) – allows clear communication in moderate noise
Only 5 dB blocked at 70 dB – hear a whisper when it is quiet
Best situational awareness – localization of 17 degrees

Understanding and Measuring IPIL: A Key Element in Hearing Protection

In the realm of hearing protection, a crucial factor that often goes unnoticed is the Impulse Peak Insertion Loss (IPIL). This metric plays a significant role in assessing the effectiveness of hearing protection devices and ensuring that individuals are shielded from sudden, high-intensity sounds that could potentially cause irreversible damage to their hearing.

What is IPIL?

IPIL, or Impulse Peak Insertion Loss, is a measure of how well a hearing protection device (HPD) can attenuate sudden, impulsive noises. Unlike continuous noise, impulse noises are characterized by their sudden onset and short duration, making them particularly challenging to manage with traditional hearing protection methods.

Measuring IPIL involves assessing the reduction in sound intensity during an impulse noise event. The goal is to determine how effectively the hearing protection device can mitigate the impact of these sudden bursts of sound energy on the ear.

How is IPIL Measured?

IPIL is typically measured in decibels (dB) and involves exposing a person wearing a hearing protection device to simulated impulse noises in a controlled environment. The tests mimic real-world scenarios where individuals might be exposed to sudden loud sounds, such as gunshots or explosions.

During these tests, microphones record the sound levels both inside and outside the ear, allowing researchers to calculate the reduction in intensity provided by the hearing protection device. The result is the IPIL, indicating the device’s ability to safeguard against impulse noises.

The Importance of IPIL in Hearing Protection

1. Addressing Occupational Hazards:

In various occupational settings, workers are exposed to impulsive noises that can pose a serious threat to their hearing health. Industries such as construction, manufacturing, and military operations often involve machinery and equipment producing sudden, high-intensity sounds. Hearing protection devices with high IPIL values are crucial in safeguarding workers in these environments.

2. Enhancing Safety in Recreational Activities:

Beyond the workplace, individuals engaging in recreational activities like shooting sports or attending concerts may also benefit from hearing protection with significant IPIL. These devices can reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing damage without compromising the overall experience.

3. Preserving Hearing Health:

Given the irreversible nature of noise-induced hearing loss, prioritizing effective hearing protection becomes essential. IPIL serves as a valuable metric to ensure that individuals are adequately shielded from the harmful effects of sudden loud noises, preserving their long-term hearing health.

In conclusion, understanding and measuring IPIL are vital steps in the ongoing quest for effective hearing protection. By prioritizing devices with high Impulse Peak Insertion Loss, we can mitigate the risks associated with impulsive noises and pave the way for a safer and healthier auditory future.

More Information

Most ear plugs have linear attenuation, meaning, they block the same amount of sound no matter how loud your environment. This is good when it is loud but not good if you want to hear something when it is quieter. If you want to hear game when in the woods or talk to your shooting buddy when at the range you either have to shout or take out your ear plugs when wearing a traditional ear plug.

The Audiomorphic earplug has nonlinear attenuation. They block very little sound when it is quiet and, block more sound as it gets louder. You never need to remove your earplugs to hear the quieter sounds and you stay protected as it gets louder. The Audiomorphic^TM ear plug was developed under contract from DARPA (the same folks that funded the development of the internet) to allow US Army field artillerymen to be able to communicate and stay protected without wearing electronic hearing protectors.

Because the level of sound blocked continuously increases as the sound increases from 70 dB to 170 dB, the amount blocked from 120 dB to 140 dB is less than a traditional earplug and things will be louder. As you get up to 150 dB and more they actually block equal or more than most standard ear plugs.

Technology

The Audiomorphic earplug looks similar to many triple flange earplugs. What sets them apart is the precisely designed micro-orifice in a very specific thickness plate leading into a resonance chamber of a specific diameter. These design features limit and disrupt increasing amounts of a sound wave as the wave amplitude increases.

There are other designs that use these physical principals of sound attenuation but none achieve the low level of NRR, High IPIL and level of localization of the Audiomorphic earplug.