pmcimagazine.com
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In-ear design; the device fits both ears
Proven 360° situational awareness (horizontal plane)
Uncompromised sound detection and localization
Unrivaled speech intelligibility in loud noise
Dual-Mode Switch
Mode 1: Adaptive Hearing Protection + Blast Protection
• Users maintain natural hearing
• 15 dB adaptive attenuation for sounds between 90-120
SPL, with increased attenuation up to the 35-40 dB limit of
the eartip seal
• Blast protection
Mode 2: Hearing Enhancement + Blast Protection
• Amplifies soft sounds up to 5X
• Blast protection
In The Box
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2 electronic BlastPLG® earplugs
Durable neck cord
7 pairs of ACCU-Fit™ eartips
Batteries
Cleaning tool
ACCU•Filters™ and
filter removal tool
Protective Case
Contains signal processing with wide-dynamic-range
compression, plus variable recovery time with instant recovery
from blasts and slower recovery of normal sounds for better
speech intelligibility. BlastPLG earplugs have the highest
bandwidth and the highest undistorted input capability of
any active hearing protectors, hearing aids or personal sound
amplifying devices at any price in any industry.
TECHNICAL SPECS:
Noise Reduction Rating
25 dB
Frequency Response
50 Hz – 16 kHz
Transducers
High-definition, balanced armature
driver
ACCU•Fit™ Eartips 7 pairs of eartips for seal and secure fit in
most ears
ACCU•Filter™
Replaceable Filters Filters shape frequency response and
protect transducers from earwax
Battery
#10
Etymotic has a very informative website, from which you
can find their many products, FAQ, technical information and
scientific data. For anything I may have left out in this article
you will find it here https://www.etymotic.com .
FIELD USE
The EB 15 seems to do all they claim to do and there is plenty
of scientific data to support the claims. There is more to them
than just protection and enhancement. The experience of using
the EB 15 in the 5x-enhanced mode is like unlocking another
world. Some have said, it’s like rediscovering the world all over
again.
24
I tried the assortment of ear tips until found the one that fit
me best. I found I preferred the Gray 3-flange 8-13mm for
most applications. If I am going to be doing activity where I
am sweating for long periods of time, then small foam tips
worked better for me and stayed in my ear more comfortably. I
installed the #10 batteries and inserted them in my ear as the
instructions stated. I clapped my hands to see if the Etymotic
plugs electronically block out the noise like my other hearing
protection does but instead, I just heard myself clap. I flipped
them to enhanced 5x and bam! The world came alive! I normally
did not pay attention that birds were chirping but with a flip of
a switch, a couple of birds turned into the bird sanctuary at
the zoo. I could hear every bird for more than a hundred yards
away. It was amazing! I started walking and wondered what
the noise was that I was hearing and I discovered it was grass
and debris I was crushing as I walked. I use to pride myself in
how quiet I could walk through the woods only realizing now, I
was actually making a lot of racket.
After this initial experience, I was very eager to test these
on the range. I loaded up my gear and went to my swamp
firing range to shoot some steel. While in normal mode, I
began shooting and could still hear the handgun. I had to check
my ears; yes, they were still in place so I continued shooting.
Although I was able to hear everything at the level I could
beforehand, my ears were not bothered. It was amazing to be
able to hear the mechanics of the pistol operating and the lead
from hitting the steel target was perceived so clearly. I could
actually hear the lead landing all around me from the splatter.
I flipped the switch to enhance and repeated the drill. These
earplugs were awesome. I could not leave them in enhanced
mode though because I kept thinking someone was walking up
on me. When I would turn around to look, it was the palmetto
blades brushing against each other or a bird digging around in
the bushes.
I have a trip to the Okefenokee Swamp coming up I can’t
wait to use them there as well. In wrapping up, the last point
I would make is the EB 15 doesn’t have to be used just for
tactical situations. You could use them just as effectively bird
watching, hunting, the opera or concerts. The EB 15 from
ETYMOTIC can change your entire world and how you perceive
it. Take a moment to visit the ETYMOTIC website and check out
all there products and discover a new world like I did. Oh by the
way, next deer season, we shall see if I can hear that warning
stomp!