The U.S. Marines want to protect the hearing of their infantry when they are in battle. That means issuing earplugs to deal with such sounds. However, according to them, sometimes they tend not to wear them for situational awareness. It is understandable as they will need to be able to listen carefully what is the most immediate threat in their sector.

Now, they want to something that will be able to have the Marines have the situational awareness and at the same time have their hearing protected. The USMC have issued out a Request for Information for Hearing Enhancement Devices that can amplify important battlefield sounds and be able to listen to orders. The candidate device will be assessed by the Marine Corp Systems (MCSC) Command and should be compatible with the Corps’ radios and the Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH).

“Marines have the earplugs and they do provide protection, but sometimes they choose not to wear them because they want to be aware of their surroundings at all times,” said Steven Fontenot, project officer for Hearing, Eye Protection and Loadbearing Equipment in PM ICE as reported by the MCSC news. “The new headset we want to acquire will allow Marines to wear hearing protection, yet still provide the opportunity to communicate and understand what is going on around them.”

USMC Photo By Staff Sgt. Ezekiel Kitandwe

In the same report, 220 sample headsets had already been issued last February to 220 infantry, artillery, reconnaissance and combat engineer Marines. They have been asked how they find the samples in terms of fit, form, function, and comfort.  Fontenot mentioned that the tests were done at the Air Force Laboratory, Infantry Training Exercises, and the Recon Marines  bringing them to Norway to test them in cold weather.

The Marines are expecting to release new weapon systems that will have impact to hearing in the field and with the Enhanced Hearing Devices, the infantry will be ready for such systems. They are looking into purchasing the devices by 2020.

Top photo: Regimental Combat Team 5 Personal Security Detachment in Afghanistan (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez)