FAQ

1. What does "all in ear" mean?
   No external microphones are needed for voice pickup. With QUIETPRO® all communication is presented to the operator’s eardrum well protected by the passive attenuation from the foam canal tip and through ANR (Active Noise Reduction) when needed. The operator’s voice reception for the radio or intercom is done in the sealed ear canal just in front of the eardrum. The spatial hearing is picked up at the outer microphones, one in each transducer. QUIETPRO® ensures fully operational awareness in all conditions and does not interfere with any helmet, eye protection device or CBRN protective piece of equipment.
   
   
2. 2. Does the QUIETPRO® protect against IEDs?
   QUIETPRO® will only protect the wearer against the dangerous noise levels produced by an IED blast. Blast tests done by the United States Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio show that ordinary ear muffs tend to lift off the ear when exposed to an IED’s shockwave. This results in exposing the ear to extremely dangerous noise as well as the shockwave itself. A correctly inserted QUIETPRO® earpiece will stay in place. It will give more protection than ordinary earmuffs. QUIETPRO® has been tested with an instant shockwave of 197dB peak.
   
   
3. 3. What type of communications systems can connect to the QUIETPRO®?
   QUIETPRO® is designed with a software adjustable audio interface. The QUIETPRO® can therefore be adapted to most standard military and commercial radio and intercom system by connecting it to a computer with the necessary software, (programming cable) and loading the desired radio parameters. The QUIETPRO® Single unit can hold two radio/intercom parameters which the operator can select between. The QUIETPRO® Dual unit can support three radio/intercom parameters.
   
   
4. 4. Can you parachute with the QUIETPRO®?
   Military forces have successfully performed both static line and HALO parachute operations using the QUIETPRO®. In full freefall the operators were able to communicate using attached tactical radios with the use of an external finger Push To Talk (PTT) device. When under canopy the operators were able to communicate using both natural spoken voice as well as via their attached tactical radios.
   
   
5. 5. Regular protective earmuffs with built-in microphones tend to degrade real spatial awareness. How does QUIETPRO® perform?
   QUIETPRO®’s microphones are situated in a small transducer housing mounted in the user’s ear. Since the auricle (pinna) is not covered, spatial hearing is not significantly degraded and the operator maintains the highest degree of sound localization.
   
   
6. 6. Is QUIETPRO® compatible with protective masks, helmets and other headborne equipment?
   Yes! One of the great benefits of QUIETPRO® is its small compact All in Ear feature. When the earplug (with transducer) is situated in the ear canal and the headset wire is put behind the ear, QUIETPRO® does not interfere with the wearing of or donning and doffing for any military tactical headborne equipment to include protective masks, helmets, protective eyewear, or SCBA/SCUBA equipment. The unique design of the system also does not hinder the use of and proper aiming of weapons.
   
   
7. 7. How does the QUIETPRO® provide hearing protection?
   The hearing protection is fully automatic. When the earplugs are inserted correctly, the system will protect your hearing when needed and otherwise let your spatial awareness be as optimal as possible. When the system protects your hearing against impulse noise or ambient noise you still can be able to fully operate radio and intercom systems. The communication sound is presented to your eardrum behind a sealed ear canal by use of the high quality ear foam canal tip ear plug. The QUIETPRO® also provided enhanced hearing capability by allowing the operator to increase or decrease the ambient sound. This is useful in situations where you may need to increase your ability to hear such as while listening to a door prior to a breaching operation or on a listening post. You can also decrease the ambient sound in high noise environments to reduce stress and to allow for rest.
   
   
8. 8. Can the QUIETPRO® be powered by external sources?
   Yes. Typical external power source are intercom systems. When connected QUIETPRO® will revert to the external power source. When disconnected QUIETPRO® will immediately switch back to the internal battery power.
   
   
9. 9. Do the QUIETPRO® ear plugs come in different sizes?
   The special made foam canal tip comes in five different sizes, XS, S, M, L, and XL. These sizes accommodate most users.
   
   
10. 10. Can you swim with the QUIETPRO®?
    QUIETPRO® is tested and approved according to IP-67 (1m @ 30min). Connectors or protective caps must be mated before immersion. After exposed to salty water, the unit must be rinsed in fresh water before stored away. The foam canal tips shall always be attached to the transducer sound pipes.