New 3M Peltor Tactical Earplug addresses top service-related disability
Device gives military users a digital earplug with tactical communications, situational awareness and hearing protection capabilities
Hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) are the two most common service-related disabilities, according to the Department of Defense’s Hearing Center of Excellence (HCE). To give troops and their commanders more options for protecting hearing while maintaining a degree of environmental hearing, 3M is introducing the Peltor Tactical Earplug for military and law enforcement applications. The device will debut at the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) exposition, Oct. 13 to 15 in Washington, D.C. at 3M Booth 7329. It is also available now for U.S. Army Tactical Communications and Protective Systems (TCAPS) applications and law enforcement.
The 3M Peltor Tactical Earplug is an in-ear digital earplug designed to help protect users’ hearing from high levels of steady state and impulse noises. At the same time, the device has sound-amplification capabilities for situational hearing and can help troops better hear mission-critical verbal communications in quiet environments. Existing devices, such as the 3M Peltor ComTac III Tactical Communications Headset, provide similar capabilities in an over-the-ear design. However, the availability of an in-ear device provides more options to satisfy troops’ personal preferences, and accommodate a greater range of mission demands and headborne equipment.