Hearing protection system achieves IOC

The soldier hearing protection system delivered to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) by Marlborough Communications has achieved Initial Operating Capability (IOC), the company announced on 20 April.

The INVISIO S10 Tactical Hearing Protection Systems for the Dismounted Close Combat User (THPS DCCU) is an in-ear hearing protection and communication system for use on a single radio. It consists of an in-ear hearing protection headset with control unit housing the electronics for situational awareness and impulse noise protection. 

The system was ordered for the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and reservists under an £11.2 million contract, along with a four-year full support package. It was supplied by Marlborough Communications with Danish partner INVISIO Communications. 

The system is designed to offer better prevention of hearing damage and improved situational awareness. 

Three selectable modes allows soldiers to communicate effectively irrespective of the noise environment. Natural hearing mode is equivalent to the human natural hearing and enables face to face communications, while comfort mode reduces the ambient sound level in high noise environments such as in tracked vehicles or on air platforms. Enhanced mode is effective when operating in the dark to provide greater sound awareness of immediate surroundings

The INVISIO S10 in-ear headset uses INVISIO Bone Conduction Technology - a small and comfortable in-ear microphone picks up vibrations from the user’s jawbone, and the vibrations are converted into sound, delivering crystal clear communication under extreme conditions, even when whispering.

Darren Allery, managing director, MCL, said: ‘The S10 is a major innovative step forward in soldier health and safety, building on our supply of Tactical In-Ear Protection Plugs as part of the Tactical Hearing Protection System for the Basic User Soldier (THPS BU). Working closely with our partner INVISIO and the MoD, we were able to introduce this new capability into service before time by taking advantage of our agility and unique capability in this area.

‘This ‘fit and forget’ hearing protection also provides unrivalled situational awareness, crystal clear communications and importantly can be customised to ensure optimum comfort during operations, even in high noise environments.’