Continuous noise monitoring and reduction system and method
First Claim
1. A hearing protector and continuous noise monitoring system, to be worn at either a primary position or a secondary position, the system comprising:
- at least one microphone positioned such that the microphone detects a protected noise exposure in the primary position and an unprotected noise exposure in the secondary position.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus adapted to be worn in an environment in which unsafe noise levels may be present for the purpose of continuously monitoring the noise level impinging upon the ear(s) of a user. The noise levels are monitored via a microphone housed within a hearing protective device, and located such that the noise level measured by the microphone is representative of the noise level impinging upon the ear(s) of the user when the hearing protective device is being worn in either a primary or secondary position. The noise level is recorded along with its duration to calculate a cumulative noise dose for an individual user, and to warn the user of when the noise dose exceeds a preset level. The apparatus further provides for a means of transmitting the noise level and dose information to a data storage/retrieval device such as a PC for maintaining a history of noise exposure for the individual user of the device. A method of using an apparatus as described, or a similar device, to continuously monitor an individual'"'"'s noise exposure is also disclosed.
115 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A hearing protector and continuous noise monitoring system, to be worn at either a primary position or a secondary position, the system comprising:
at least one microphone positioned such that the microphone detects a protected noise exposure in the primary position and an unprotected noise exposure in the secondary position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A hearing protector and continuous noise monitoring system comprising:
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a first microphone positioned to detect a protected noise exposure, and a second microphone positioned to detect an unprotected noise exposure; and
a switch that selectively connects the first and second microphones to an electronic conversion circuit, the switch being positionable to connect the first microphone to the conversion circuit when the hearing protector is worn in a primary position, and the switch being positionable to connect the second microphone to the conversion circuit when the hearing protector is being worn in a secondary position;
the electronic conversion circuit capable of converting the noise into a signal representative of the risk to the human auditory system. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for monitoring an individual'"'"'s noise exposure comprising the steps of:
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measuring a protected noise exposure level and an unprotected noise exposure level incident upon the ear of the individual;
calculating the individual'"'"'s cumulative noise exposure dose for a given period of time;
comparing the cumulative noise exposure dose to a preset dose level; and
alerting the individual when the cumulative exposure noise dose exceeds the preset level. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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Specification