Impulse Assessment of the DeltaPlus QUATTRO(trademark) EP-401 Reusable Earplug

Abstract

The impulse peak insertion loss (IPIL) is the standard measure of attenuation provided by hearing protection devices (HPDs) in response to an impulsive noise. This technical memorandum describes the IPIL testing conducted and the calculated mean IPIL values for the DeltaPlus QUATTRO(trademark) EP-401 Reusable Earplug (DeltaPlus QUATTRO(trademark); Model: WELEP401_). Testing was completed in accordance with the ANSI standard S12.42-2010. All device samples were tested at the nominal levels of 150, 160, and 170 decibel peak (dBP, re: 20 muPa). A total of five samples were fitted to an acoustic test fixture two times each for a total of 10 trials per test level. No samples of the HPD were rejected. The mean and standard deviation (SD) IPIL values were 37.5 (1.3) dB SPL at 150 dBP, 38.7 (1.0) dB SPL at 160 dBP, and 39.8 (1.1) dB SPL at 170 dBP. These results suggest that, when properly fit and functional, the DeltaPlus QUATTRO(trademark) can adequately protect (i.e., reduce exposure to less than 140 dBP) against impulses below 179.8 dBP.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 31, 2022
Accession Number
AD1158238

Entities

People

  • Alexa H. Kolias
  • Derek W. Schwaller
  • Jacob J. See
  • Jeremy S. Federman
  • Stephanie J. Karch

Organizations

  • Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Compressors
  • Air Pressure
  • Artillery Fire
  • Corporations
  • Data Acquisition
  • Department Of Defense
  • Ear
  • Filters
  • Free Field
  • Frequency
  • Impulse Noise
  • Instructions
  • Shock Tubes
  • Small Arms
  • Standards
  • Transfer Functions

Readers

  • Acoustics.