Honeywell Safety Products Quietpro QP100Ex hearing protection and communication system

Honeywell Safety Products has developed Quietpro QP100Ex, claimed to be the only intelligent hearing protection and communication system that provides personal hearing protection, personal noise exposure measurement and clear communication throughout a full range of work environments. Suitable for workers who wear head protection (eg, respirators, welding shields), it is intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, energy production applications and the gas, oil, mining and primary metal industries.

The product is connected to two-way radios, which allows users to hear without compromising listening quality, even under high-noise situations. It enables a user to speak at a normal level and clearly be heard by the person on the other radio.

The product uses in-ear dosimetry to measure every sound that reaches the user’s eardrum, providing continuous monitoring of personal noise exposure. Audible and visual signals alert workers when they are approaching or have met their daily noise dose. The headset’s microphone captures voices inside the ear tip via air conduction, eliminating sounds commonly picked up by external microphones, while the exterior microphones constantly analyse surrounding sounds, adapting continuously to facilitate natural hearing.

Upon ear tip insertion and system startup, the product performs a quick calibration check to detect proper fit, validating adequate hearing protection and clear communication in each ear. It also alerts the user if they do not achieve a minimum level of protection and are required to refit.

The product’s bionic hearing adapts to changing noise levels, allowing workers to remain aware of their surroundings, assess changing environments and potential threats, and reduce further exposures to hazardous noise. The control unit includes volume control buttons, which permits the user to reduce or increase the level of the surrounding sound.