Sensear SENS hearing protection technology

The Sensear SENS hearing protection technology enhances speech while suppressing background noise so users can maintain clear communications, protect their hearing and still maintain a 360° awareness of their surroundings in noisy environments.

Over the past 10 years, Sensear has collaborated with the University of Western Australia and Curtin University to develop industrial communication headsets for high-noise environments. The Sensear SENS technology is a result of this research.

The technology is used in a wide range of Sensear industrial communication headsets to maintain crystal clear communications either face to face or via a two-way radio or mobile phone. Included in the range are intrinsically safe versions as well as double protection for extreme high-noise environments and earplugs for hotter environments or for users wearing respirators. The range can also be connected wirelessly via Bluetooth or cable to all leading two-way radios and other communication devices.

Unlike traditional noise-cancelling solutions, which use a counter waveform to suppress all sound, SENS uses digital processing algorithms. Sound is received from four microphones at the front of the headset. These sound waves are converted into a high-resolution digital signal. SENS then processes the digital signal through algorithms which isolate and enhance the speech while suppressing dangerous background noise to a safe level (82 dB). Suppressors attenuate impact noise allowing the user to maintain situational awareness of alarms and other vital sounds.

The clear processed sound is then delivered to the user through the headset and also to the person on the other end of the two-way radio or mobile phone, allowing them to hear the user clearly even in very high-noise environments.