'Military Grade' Earphones Debut

By John Laposky On Mar 24 2008 - 6:00am

Hearing Components, a supplier of commercial noise-reduction technology and products to the hearing aid, military, commercial aviation and manufacturing sectors, is debuting noise-reducing earphones for the consumer market.

Comply NR-10 noise-reducing earphones utilize the same patented passive noise-blocking technology the company supplies to U.S. Army helicopter crews and Special Forces, according to a Hearing Components spokesman. They boast noise-reduction at an average of 48dB or better, a frequency range of 20Hz to 20,000Hz with 16 ohms of impedance.

The NR-10's 43-inch cable has a 3.5mm gold-plated stereo plug with integrated volume control and Hearing Components' proprietary Comply foam tips made of “ultra-soft memory foam which conforms to the user's ear canal, according to the company.

“As a frequent traveler, I'm constantly bothered by the ambient noise on airplanes,” said Hearing Components president/CEO Dr. Robert Oliveira. “And as we worked with the National Institutes of Health to develop improved noise attenuation resulting in an increased signal-to-noise ratio for various audio listening devices, we realized that the same technology could help travelers like me.”

The Comply NR-10 earphones have a suggested retail of $79.95. The earphones come with a pair of slim-size Comply foam tips, a pair of standard-size Comply foam tips and a travel pouch. Replacement foam tips are also available.