Vivonics, Inc. SBIR Phase I Award, February 2019

Effective teamwork and communication are essential to military operational success and soldier survivability. While currently deployed noise cancellation systems work well at cancelling harmful sound, they lack a continuous communication feature during variable high noise situations, leading to inconsistent use. This is especially true of active duty personnel in combat theatres where long-term comfort, loss of situational awareness, and difficulty in persistent communications across different noise environments lead to non-use during these time periods. Vivonics, Inc. and Mayo Clinic auditory researchers propose to deliver both the desired hearing protection and face-to-face communication capabilities during such variable noise situations through the combination of proven, currently deployed hearing protection systems and a novel device that selectively and non-invasively communicates around this protection. This non-ear, 2-way communication employs a speech-selective microphone, secure short range communication, and directional listener surround sound for improved tactical group awareness. In Phase I, the feasibility of this novel device will be demonstrated using a table top audiometer and a benchtop prototype, reserving full device design and validation for Phase II. Soldiers should not have to make the choice between long-term hearing health and immediate physical safety; the proposed device aims to make it a non-question.