Safe and Comfortable in Noisy Environments

Development Story

CLEAR360PRO is an advanced hearing protection device developed in the United States with the goal of safeguarding users' hearing. It was created to address three critical issues faced by workers in heavy industries such as railways, aviation, manufacturing, and construction:

1. Decreased Safety Due to Lack of Situational Awareness
2. Difficulty in Communication in Noisy Environments
3. Challenges in Protecting Hearing from High Noise Levels

For example, railway workers using earplugs or earmuffs often failed to hear approaching trains, leading to tragic accidents. To address these concerns, the CLEAR360 team—comprising doctors, acoustic engineers, and safety experts—collaborated to develop CLEAR360PRO, a next-generation industrial headset. This headset provides 360° advanced situational awareness, clear and precise communication, and effective hearing protection in high-noise environments.

CLEAR360PRO is equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 and supports various protection options through its five listening modes. These modes are designed to cater to different needs and environments:

• Voice Mode: Facilitates clear two-way communication with high audio clarity.
• Super Hearing Mode: Provides enhanced situational awareness with 360° sound clarity.
• Natural Mode: Delivers realistic sound for an accurate auditory experience.
• Comfort Mode: Minimizes surrounding noise while maintaining natural sound quality.
• Mute Mode: Removes external sounds while maintaining Bluetooth connectivity for hearing protection.

By switching between these modes according to the situation, users can experience optimal comfort and protection under various conditions. Bluetooth functionality is available across all five modes.

CLEAR360PRO has undergone rigorous testing to ensure its safety and effectiveness. It meets the noise reduction ratings (NRR) in accordance with ANSI S3.19-1974 standards and has been tested for impact noise reduction according to ANSI S12.42-2010 standards, proving its safety scientifically.

The measurements were conducted by Michael & Associates, Inc., which is accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Lab Number 100427. Additionally, CLEAR360PRO has received certifications from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Japan's Technical Standards Conformity Certification (TELEC), and CE certification for the EU and EFTA regions.

Advantages of Wired Connections

1. Resistant to Radio Interference: Wired connections are less susceptible to radio interference, ensuring stable sound quality even in noisy environments.

2. Minimized Audio Dropout and Delay: Wired connections provide reliable audio transmission with minimal interruptions or delays.

3. Durable Kevlar-Reinforced Cable: The use of Kevlar-reinforced cables enhances durability, making them resistant to tangling and wear. This significantly reduces the risk of cable breakage. Additionally, if the cable becomes snagged, it is designed to naturally detach from the earphones when excessive force is applied, protecting the user.

4. Stable Fit: Wired connections ensure a stable fit, eliminating concerns about the earphone parts being lost or falling off during use.

Case Study - Customer Feedback

VOICE-1

Q1: What prompted you to introduce CLEAR360, and what were the specific issues you faced?

Our department operates in a power generation testing area where noise levels can exceed 100dB during tests. Previously, we used earplugs and earmuffs, but the major challenge was the difficulty in communication in such a noisy environment. We were looking for a solution that would allow us to communicate clearly even in high-noise conditions.

Q2: What is the actual usage environment like?

The working environment is extremely noisy. We needed a hearing protection device that could be used while wearing a helmet. Traditional earmuffs required us to move to different locations or temporarily remove them for conversations, so we were seeking an alternative.

Q3: What are your impressions after using the product? What are the pros and cons?

After using CLEAR360PRO, many of our previous issues were significantly resolved. Communication in high-noise environments became much clearer, which improved our work efficiency. However, one area for improvement is the microphone sensitivity. In very loud environments, it can be difficult for the mic to pick up voices unless they are spoken loudly. Enhancing the mic's ability to pick up voices or bringing it closer to the mouth could further improve usability.

MEIDENSHA Corporation
Rotating Machinery Systems Unit, Quality Assurance Department

VOICE-2

Q1: What was the background of your decision to implement CLEAR360? What were the specific problems you faced?

The background to the introduction of CLEAR360 is that the Production Engineering Section's work includes responding to breakdowns and maintenance work, and since we often communicate with each other in remote locations, communication is extremely important. However, if there is a lot of noise in the vicinity, it is often difficult to hear anything, and there are many cases of mistaken signals that can lead to injury. This is why we decided to introduce CREAR360, which allows us to communicate reliably regardless of the surrounding noise.

Q2: What is the actual usage environment like?

As I mentioned earlier, the actual environment in which we use the system is in a factory where there is a lot of ambient noise. There are places where the noise level can easily exceed 100 decibels at any given moment, so earplugs are absolutely necessary in these factories. However, wearing earplugs makes it difficult to communicate with other workers and to hear each other's conversations, so it is necessary to get close to each other to talk.

Q3: What are your impressions of using earplugs? What are the good points and areas for improvement?

The fit is comfortable, and once you get used to it, you can put it on right away without any problems. Also, since I can answer the phone hands-free, I don't have to take off my gloves and tap the phone to answer the phone.
As an improvement, it would be nice to have a stopper to prevent the phone from shifting as it is worn around the neck. When I move it around violently, the main body sometimes shifts before I know it. Also, if I wanted, it would be more convenient if “Hey Siri” could be used.

Kubota Corporation　
Production Engineering Section