R&D Portfolio - Research Goal 2.4:
Develop a hearing protection and communication system

HLR program researchers were awarded a U.S. Patent for the EarTalk system in 1991. Research information has been presented and demonstrated at national and international conferences and expositions. Two publications have resulted from the research.[59]

Intermediate Outcome

EarTalk technology is available for licensing through CDC technology transfer office. To date, one licensee (Cavcom, Inc.) has incorporated EarTalk into a system that works with Motorola radios commonly used by police and firefighters.

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Publications

NIOSH Publications

Gwin K, Wallingford K, Morata TC, Van Campen LE [2001].  Hazard evaluation and technical assistance report:  Human Performance International, Inc., Charlotte, North Carolina. Cincinnati, OH:  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH Report No. HETA 00-0110-2849.

Stephenson MR, Merry CJ. Hearing Protection for Miners. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 98-151.

Journal Articles

Kardous CA [2003]. EarTalk: Protector and Microphone. The Military Engineer, No. 621, pp. 43-44

Morata TC, Fiorini AC, Fischer FM, Krieg EF, Gozzoli L, Colacioppo S [2001]. Factors affecting the use of hearing protectors in a population of printing workers. Noise and Health 4(13): 25-32.

Book/Chapters/Proceedings/Abstracts

Kardous CA [1998]. Eartalk - Hearing Protector and Communication System in Prasher P., Luxon L., Pyykko I. (eds.), Advances in Noise Research, Volume II: Protection Against Noise. John Wiley.

Presentations

Conferences

Kardous CA [1997]. EARTALK - Hearing Protector and Communication System. Paper and poster presentation at the Second Pan European Conference on Protection against Noise, London, England, June 16-19, 1997.

Patents

Franks J.R., Dunn D.E., Sizemore C.W. [1995]. Ear Based Hearing Protector/Communication System. U.S. Patent # 5,426,719. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Washington, D.C.