Hearing protection device with situational awareness and alerts for the Industrial sector

Project Information

MINUENDO INDUSTRY

Grant agreement ID: 946836

DOI

10.3030/946836

Project closed

EC signature date 26 March 2020

Start date 1 February 2020

End date 31 January 2022

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 1 418 750,00

EU contribution

€ 993 125,00

Coordinated by

MINUENDO AS
Norway

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - MINUENDO INDUSTRY (Hearing protection device with situational awareness and alerts for the Industrial sector)

Reporting period: 2021-02-01 to 2022-01-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

What is the problem/issue being addressed?
Noise Induced Hearing Loss is the most commonly reported occupational disease in Europe. It is 100% preventable. But users report several weaknesses with existing hearing protection devices that makes it difficult for them to protect their hearing when working. The certified protection levels are not achieved in field and the user must decide when and how to use the protection.
Therefore, there is a need for better hearing protection products that are more user friendly and guides the user on correct use and warns them when they are in danger.
Why is it important for society?
Hearing loss leads to reduced life quality, increased dementia risks and high societal cost e.g. of hearing aids.
What are the overall objectives?
The objective of the project is to improve product specifications, obtain early user validation and upgrade the design and engineering of the current prototype to create the final commercial product.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Key activities and results:
We have developed and improved prototypes alongside user testing and discussion with safety managers at pilot customers / evaluation partners. This supported testing of our hypothesis about product feature specification. This enabled the design and field testing of final protypes, with the final technical platform it has been possible to tune the acoustics to give high levels of confidence that the earplug meets the original design models.
The Production process has been completed with close collaboration with our strategic suppliers. Additional sourcing activity has been undertaken as a result of the world-wide challenges with the supply of electronic and other core materials.
Establishing the production process also delivered our Quality Assurance processes that will ensure that manufacturing consistency for this product achieves the high-levels of quality necessary for Class 3 category PPE.
Both CE and UKCA type approvals have been achieved; within the product certification packaging and user instructional information has been created that meets regulatory requirements.
Commercialisation activities, although initially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic have been undertaken; attendance at trade shows, selected distribution partners and started implementing the marketing plan including the production of marketing assets; including brochure and product animations for product sale presentations.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The pilot and field testing has confirmed end-user acceptance of the product concept; particularly high-levels of in-ear comfort when worn all-day and natural sound of their immediate environment.
Ergonomics, low overall weight, battery life and user interface have all been improved beyond the original specification. The super simple interface is regarded as a triumph. The original single-button is still present but is not actually required to turn the earplug on or off. This is automatic when using the charging and data synchronization dock. These aspects are vital to ensure adoption in industrial settings.
The real-time alerts and alarms advising the user when noise levels are unsafe, reminding them to take immediate action to reduce the impact of high exposure to noise are seen as truly game-changing. A leading indicator that gives a simple, yet effective process for the user to manage their long-term hearing health.
The impact of the Smart Alert earplug on the pilot users has been profound. They are now able to understand how their working practices and use of PPE can impact the performance and of protection that are achieving. Moreover, they know when to take action to ensure that they are always adequately protected.

Minuendo Smart Alert earplug

Lossless earplugs