Abstract for #146: Acentech, Inc.

Design of Transducers for Underwater Communications and Hearing Protection

Keywords: Hearing loss, divers, active noise control, underwater communications, dive helmet

Abstract: One of the nation's oldest and largest acoustical consultancies with expertise in product noise, underwater acoustics, transducer development, and signal processing is developing technologies to improve communications and reduce noise hazards in Navy, other DoD, and commercial dive operations. Potential damage to divers' health and associated societal costs makes protection against noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) a priority. An initial application will be active noise control for helmeted divers performing tasks such as ship husbandry or salvage. Collaboration with Navy end users and equipment manufacturers is sought to assure smooth technology integration into diver life support systems and to gain NAVSEA and diver acceptance. Navy diver testing will be crucial. Aggressive IP protection and close industry involvement will erect significant barriers of entry to competitors.