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The US Army Is Rolling Out Superhuman Hearing to Soldiers (popularmechanics.com)

An anonymous reader writes: The U.S. Army has developed an all-in-one hearing system that not only boosts the hearing of troops in the field, it also acts to cut down the noise of battle. The system, known as Tactical Communication and Protective System (TCAPS), is currently rolling out to units in the field. TCAPS is $2,000 pair of earbuds designed to limit battlefield noise exposure, cutting off noise that reaches a set decibel threshold. The wearer can still hear gunshots and estimate their direction, but the noise is dampened to a non-damaging level thanks to microphones that detect the noise, and internals that use sound canceling technology to modify it for a wearer's ears. At the same time, the decibel cap allows TCAPS-equipped soldiers to hear the voices of others around him, including through radios and other communications equipment.

3 of 117 comments (clear)

  1. Re:So... by Hognoxious · · Score: 2, Informative

    That's retail, I assume, and per pair?

    So extrapolating based on hammers & toilet seats they'll set Uncle Sam back by 6 grand a set.

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  2. About time. by Lumpy · · Score: 4, Informative

    So many friends came back with massive hearing damage. the M16A4 is loud as hell and every single vet comes back with horrible tinnitus at best and major hearing damage to DEAF at worst.

    we need to tell NATO to fuck themselves and issue supressors to all troops along with these hearing protection devices.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  3. Re:So... by i.r.id10t · · Score: 4, Informative

    Yup, quick google search for "electronic ear plug"

    A buddy who spent 3 years in Afghanistan as a contractor (K9 handler) used 'em and bought a few extra sets for the soldiers he was serving with, very useful for both guard duty and house clearing. His biggest issue was keeping both the plugs and his ear holes clean - as you can imagine any little bit of grit or dirt makes them uncomfortable to wear.

    --
    Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos