WO2011050401A1

WO2011050401A1 - Noise induced hearing loss management systems and methods

Info

Publication number: WO2011050401A1
Application number: PCT/AU2010/001425
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mladen Males; Christopher Bailye; David Ward
Original assignee: Sensear Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-10-26
Filing date: 2010-10-26
Publication date: 2011-05-05

Abstract

A noise induced hearing loss management system and method enables an individual's exposure to noise to be measured, logged and displayed. Sound data can be collected by means of noise dosimeters preferably attached to hearing protection devices (48) which can measure noise levels experienced by the wearer of the hearing protection device as well as ambient noise levels. Information about this exposure as sound data can be logged and stored on storage devices thus maintaining a history of an individual's exposure to noise over a predetermined period of time and particular over an individual's working lifetime. The system can also measure the sound data with respect to location and time data to indicate where noise levels are particularly high. The devices are allocated unique identifiers that can then be linked to individuals so that the sound data is collected by devices enables the sound data to be associated with the individual this facilitating data collection. The sound data can also be mapped to locations and displayed accordingly.

Description

NOISE INDU CED HEARIN G L O SS MANA GEMENT SYS TEMS &

ME THOD S

FIELD O F T HE INVE NTI ON

The present invention, in preferred forms, relates to systems and methods for reducing noise induced hearing loss.

BA C KGROUND T O THE INVENTI ON

Noise induced hearing loss is an occupational health and safety issue for employers and their employees. The legal obligations associated with noise induced hearing loss differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In most Western countries the use of hearing protection devices to assist with preventing noise induced hearing loss is compulsory.

In 2006, for example, the European Union passed legislation to make the use of hearing protection devices compulsory for all employees who are exposed to noise levels of 85 dB(A) or more. The legislation extends to all forms of industry and not merely heavy industries. Both the entertainment industry and the recreation industry are within the scope of the legislation.

It is considered that similar obligations to those of the European Union legislation will eventually be enacted in all major jurisdictions. It is considered this will be in part driven by the ever increasing exposure of employees in particular industries to noise during their working lives.

Generally noise induced hearing loss occurs as a result of impact, continuous or intermittent noise. With impact and continuous noise, employers often find that employees are more likely to take adequate precautions, as they are aware of the potential for hearing loss. With intermittent noise, however employers often find that employees are less likely to take adequate precautions. Taking adequate precautions is also often difficult when employees need to communicate in their working environments.

In addition, there are sometimes issues associated with hearing protection devices being lost or left in vehicles. In the case of lost hearing protection devices, they are sometimes replaced with less effective hearing protection devices resulting in further issues. Over the working life of an individual, the individual may suffer from differing degrees of cumulative noise induced hearing loss. This generally has consequences for both the employees and employers. Presently many employers find it difficult to manage issues associated with noise induced hearing loss in different working environments.

It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a system for collecting information relating to sound exposure, the system comprising: (i) an identification facility for associating each of a plurality of individuals with a unique identifier;

(ii) a sound data facility for receiving sound exposure data relating to use of at least one hearing protection device by the individuals; and

(iii) a storage facility for maintaining a record of the sound exposure data over time; wherein the record associates the sound exposure data with the unique identifiers.

Preferably, the identification facility is integrated with the hearing protection device or it may be separate from the hearing protection device.

The unique identifier used by the identification facility may be associated with the hearing protection device. For example, the unique identifier may be the serial number of the hearing protection device or embedded in software in the hearing protection device to uniquely identify the hearing protection device. Individuals may have a dedicated, single hearing protection device for their use so the identifier on the device can associate the individual with the unique identifier.

The unique identifier used by the identification facility may also be associated with an individual. The unique identifier may be a personal identification number, a name allocated to an individual, or a biometric characteristic of the individual. Suitable biometric characteristics include physiological characteristics such as fingerprint, iris recognition or retina recognition and behavioural characteristics such as voice. Preferably, the system further comprises a processing facility operable to generate one or more representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals.

Preferably, the system further comprises an association warning facility operable to determine if more than one hearing protection device is to be associated with a unique identifier corresponding to one of the individuals at any one time.

Preferably, the association warning facility is operable to issue a warning to a second hearing protection device to be associated with a first individual when a first hearing protection device is already associated with the first individual.

Specifically, the warning includes a request to the second hearing protection device as to whether the first hearing protection device should be deactivated and no longer associated with the first individual, and wherein the association warning facility is operable to deactivate the first hearing protection device in response to a positive response from the second hearing device thereto.

Preferably, the sound exposure data received by the sound data facility comprises data from at least two sources on the hearing protection device.

Preferably, the sound data facility for receiving sound exposure data relating to the use of at least one hearing protection device by the individuals, forms part of the hearing protection device.

Alternatively, it could be separate thereto. When the sound data facility is separate it can receive the data wirelessly or via a wired connection such as USB. Preferably the data is received during recharging of the hearing protection device.

Preferably, the sound exposure data comprises actual sound data that is representative of sound actually impinging an individual's ear and external sound data that is representative of the external sound that would impinge on the an individual's ear in the absence of a hearing protection device.

Preferably, the sound exposure data received by the sound data facility comprises data relating to sound pressure levels at both ears of the individuals. Preferably, the sound exposure data includes time averaged data as well as peak/impulse data.

Preferably, the sound exposure data received by the sound data facility is continuous and thus is fully representative of an individual's exposure.

Preferably, the system further comprises a location data facility for receiving location data relating to the position of the one or more individuals, and wherein the processing facility is operable to relate the sound exposure data and the location data and to generate one or more representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals

The location data may be received from the respective associated hearing protection device.

Preferably, the system includes a map facility for associating the location data with a physical layout and wherein the processing facility is operable to generate representations illustrating portions of the physical layout in combination with the sound exposure data and the location data, where the representations are indicative of the use of at least one hearing protection device.

Preferably, the system includes a time data facility for receiving time data associated with the sound exposure data, and wherein the processing facility is operable to generate representations of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals over selected periods of time.

Preferably, the system includes the time data forms part of the exposure data.

Preferably, the storage facility is remote from the hearing protection device.

Preferably, the storage facility is a data collection station.

Preferably, the storage facility is arranged to receive and store heating protection device identification device.

Preferably, the processing facility is operable to generate representations that are indicative of the sound exposure that an individual would have been exposed to if the at least one hearing protection device was not used to protect the hearing of the individual. Preferably, the processing facility is adapted to generate representations that are indicative of the sound exposure to which an individual was actually exposed.

Preferably, the processing facility is operable to generate representations indicative of the damage to an individual's hearing through actual sound exposure.

Preferably, the storage facility maintains a record of the sound exposure data of over a substantial period of time.

Preferably, the system further includes an interface facility for interfacing with other systems.

Preferably, the system further includes a policy facility for maintaining one or more policies regarding the use of the at least one hearing protection device, wherein the processing facility is operable to generate representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals in accordance with the one or more policies.

Preferably, the policy facility includes a global long term exposure policy for individuals and the processing facility is operable to generate representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals and their accompanying long term exposure.

Preferably, the identification facility comprises a user interface for allowing login information to be entered into the associated hearing protection device.

Preferably, the processing means is provided in the hearing protection device and operable to provide real time information and warnings to individuals.

Preferably, the sound exposure data is average A-weighted true sound pressure levels calculated on a periodic basis. The sound exposure data may also be measured using other weighting filters that measure dBA, dBF and dBC. Provided audio data is recorded for each frequency band then these other measures can be taken through the use of an appropriate filter.

Alternatively, the sound exposure data is equivalent sound pressure level.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for providing information relating to sound exposure, the system comprising: a sound data facility for receiving sound exposure data relating to use of at least one hearing protection device by one or more individuals;

a storage facility for maintaining a record of the sound exposure data over time; and

a processing facility for use in generating representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals over time.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for providing information relating to sound exposure, the system comprising:

a sound data facility for receiving sound exposure data relating to use of at least one hearing protection device by one or more individuals;

a location data facility for receiving location data relating to the position of the one or more individuals;

a storage facility for maintaining a record of the sound exposure data and the location data; and

a processing facility for use in relating the sound exposure data and the location data and for generating one or more representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for collecting information relating to sound exposure, the method comprising the steps of: associating each of a plurality of individuals with a unique identifier; receiving sound exposure data relating to use of at least one hearing protection device by one of the plurality of individuals; and maintaining a record of the sound exposure data over time; wherein the record associates the sound exposure data with the unique identifiers and thus with the individual associated therewith. Preferably, the method further comprises generating one or more representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals, and determining if more than one hearing protection device is to be associated with a unique identifier corresponding to one of the individuals at any one time.

Preferably, the method further comprises issuing a warning to a second hearing protection device associated with a first individual when a first hearing protection device is already associated with the first individual.

Preferably, the warning includes a request to the second hearing protection device as to whether the first hearing protection device should be deactivated and no longer associated with the first individual, and the method includes the step of deactivating the first hearing protection device in response to a positive response from the second hearing device thereto.

Preferably, the step of receiving the sound exposure data receiving data from at least two sources on the hearing protection device.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step receiving location data relating to the position of the one or more individuals, relating the sound exposure data and the location data and generating one or more representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals

Preferably, the location data is received from the respective associated hearing protection device.

Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of associating the location data with a physical layout and generating representations illustrating portions of the physical layout in combination with the sound exposure data and the location data, where the representations are indicative of the use of at least one hearing protection device.

Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of receiving time data associated with the sound exposure data and the location data, and generating representations of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals over selected periods of time. Preferably, the method further comprises the step of generating representations that are indicative of the sound exposure that an individual would have been exposed to if the at least one hearing protection device was not used to protect the hearing of the individual.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of generating representations that are indicative of the sound exposure to which an individual was actually exposed.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of generating representations indicative of the damage to an individual's hearing through actual sound exposure.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of maintaining a record of the sound exposure data of over a substantial period of time.

Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of maintaining one or more policies regarding the use of the at least one hearing protection device, and generating representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals in accordance with the one or more policies.

Preferably, the method further comprises generating representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals and their accompanying long term exposure.

Preferably, the storage facility is remote and data is downloaded thereto.

Preferably, the method includes the further step of providing real time information and warnings to individuals. It is considered advantageous to provide a location facility and a processing facility for use in relating the sound exposure data and the location data where one or more representations are generated indicative of the use of at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals. The or each at least one hearing protection device preferably includes a positioning facility in the form of a GPS unit. The location data may form part of the sound exposure data.

It is preferable to measure the LEQ which is the equivalent sound pressure level: that is the steady sound level that, over a specified period of time, would produce the same energy equivalence as the fluctuating sound level actually occurring and could be described as the average sound level over the period of the measurement. Usually this is measured A-weighted but there is no time constant applied. The LEQ can be measured over different periods and is written as follows:

Leq(lhr) = The Leq noise level for a specific one-hour period.

Leq(8hr) = The continuous noise level during any one hour period between 10pm and 6am.

Leq(9hr) = The Leq noise level for the period 10pm to 7am.

Leq(15hr) = The Leq noise level for the period 7am to 10pm.

Leq (24hr) = The equivalent continuous noise level during a 24 hour period, usually from midnight.

The preferred functionally of methods according to preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent from preferred functionally of systems according to preferred embodiments described herein and vice versa.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are considered to provide a number of advantageous arrangements including:

(i) Systems and methods that provide companies with the ability to track and maintain noise exposure levels of workers over time and which provide a complete record of a worker's sound exposure.

(ii) Systems and methods which when safe levels are exceeded provide immediate notification to the employer so that corrective action can be take before hearing loss is incurred.

(iii) Systems and methods where real time warnings are provided to a user to assist with ensuring that the user gets immediate notification if a safe exposure level is breached, allowing the user to move away from an unsafe environment or refit their hearing protection devices.

(iv) Systems and methods where location tracking allows companies to identify hot spots in their workplace, establish appropriate policies and possibly build sound barriers to reduce noise exposure in particular locations. (v) Systems and methods that are provided as a service rather than a product where a service monitors/records the noise exposure of individuals over time and maintains long term exposure data over the full working life of the individuals.

(vi) Systems and methods that operate as a service to provide data and warnings to customers on a daily basis or as desired.

(vii) Systems and methods that link a person with time based historical data recorded by a hearing protection devices so as to allow companies to assess compensation claims for hearing loss;

(viii) Systems and methods that have an advantageous identification facility that assists with individual identification allowing hearing protectors to be used by different individuals.

(ix) Systems and methods that generate advantageous representations of sound exposure such as sound pressure levels versus a map display or sound pressure levels versus time.

The present invention also provides a hearing protection device for use in a system or method according to the present invention, the device including an identification facility for allowing the hearing protection device to be associated with one or more individuals.

Preferably the hearing protection device further comprises one or more of:

(i) a means for identifying the location of the hearing protection device;

(ii) a means for storing information such as sound exposure or location data;

(iii) a means for communicating with a data processing facility;

(iv) an in ear dosimeter;

(v) means for providing passive sound suppression of at least 15dBA;

(vi) a microphone array arranged to be pointed in the direction of a sound source when the device is in use and generate corresponding sound signals;

(vii) means for processing sound signals generated by a directional microphone array to enhance sound received thereby relative to other sound received by said directional microphone array and generate a corresponding enhanced signal; and (viii) means for measuring sound pressure levels from at least two sources such as both ears of the individuals; and

(ix) loud speaker means to reproduce a corresponding enhanced signal as audible sound.

Preferably, the sound exposure data is average A-weighted true sound pressure levels calculated on a periodic basis.

Alternatively, the sound exposure data is equivalent sound pressure level

It is to be recognised that other aspects, preferred forms and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the specification including the detailed description, drawings and claims provided below.

In this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term "comprising" has the non-exclusive meaning of the word, in the sense of "including at least" rather than the exclusive meaning in the sense of "consisting only of. The same applies with corresponding grammatical changes to other forms of the word such as "comprise", "comprises" and so on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, several preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2A and 2B show an outline and a schematic diagram of a hearing protection device respectively according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a system according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows an illustration of a representation generated by the system shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows an illustration of a further representation alternatively generated by the system shown in Figure 3; Figures 6, 7 and 8 show illustrations of yet further representation;

Figure 9 shows a method according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

Figures 10-15 illustrate further representations generated by a system according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DES CRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a system 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The system 10 is advantageously able to collect information relating to the exposure of a plurality of individuals 12 to sound. The information is advantageously collected and presented in the form of several representations for consideration by another party such as an employer. In comparison to other systems for managing noise induced hearing loss, the system 10 is considered to be particularly advantageous.

As shown in Figure 1, the system 10 includes an identification facility 14 for associating each of the individuals 12 with a unique identifier such as a code 18. Each of the codes 18 uniquely corresponds with one of the individuals 12 on a one to one to one basis. There are accordingly an equal number of individuals and codes 18.

The unique identifier may be a number such as personal identification number ("PIN") or name allocated to an individual to uniquely identify them. Another unique identifier could be a biometric characteristic of the individual. Suitable biometric characteristics include physiological characteristics such as fingerprint, iris recognition or retina recognition and behavioural characteristics such as voice.

Alternatively, the unique identifier used by the identification facility may be associated with a hearing protection device as described below. For example, the unique identifier may be the serial number of the hearing protection device or embedded in software in the hearing protection device to uniquely identify the hearing protection device. In this form of the invention, it is preferred for individuals to have a dedicated, single hearing protection device for their use so the identifier on the device can associate the individual with the unique identifier. In the system 10 there are provided a number of hearing protection devices 20 that are used by the individuals 12 to assist with preventing noise induced hearing loss. The correspondence between the individuals 12 and the unique codes 18 together with use of the hearing protection devices 20 is considered to be particularly advantageous. The associated advantages are considered not to be provided by current systems known to the applicant. A number of these advantages stem from the identification facility 14 that is integrated with the hearing protection devices 20. For example, the system 10 advantageously allows for the number of hearing protection devices 20 to be different to the number of individuals 12. This advantage is provided in combination with a number of other advantages described below.

As shown in Figure 1, the system 10 includes a sound data facility 22 for receiving sound exposure data 24. In the embodiment the sound exposure data 24 is collected by the hearing protection devices 20 worn by or otherwise attached to the individuals 12 in the workplace.

The sound exposure data 24 that is collected includes a first set of data 26 that is representative of sound actually impinging on a corresponding individual's ear while in possession of, but not necessarily wearing, the hearing protection device 20. When the first set of data 26 is generated from in ear dosimeters, such as dosimeters provided in the ear cup of a ear muff, it is preferred to apply a transform or some other form of processing to account for differences between the signal picked up in the ear cup and the actual signal received in the ear. Accordingly, the first set of data 26 represents the sound that could actually cause noise induced hearing loss. The sound exposure data 24 includes a second set of data 28 that is representative of the ambient sound that would impinge on individual's ear if the hearing protection device 20 was not used by the individual.

The first set of data 26 and the second set of data 28 each comprise sound measurement data based on a predetermined exposure interval. The predetermined exposure interval in the embodiment is one second.

In the system 10, each of the measurements of the sound measurement data is associated with a respective one of the codes 18 on a many to one basis, where a code 18 is associated with many measurements and each measurement is associated with only one code 18. In the system 10 the one to one correspondence between the individuals 12 and the codes 18 means that each measurement of the sound measurement data is associated with only one code 18 and hence one individual.

The first set of data 26 comprises both protected data and unprotected data. Using the second set of data 28 as a reference it is advantageously possible to determine aspects of the use of the hearing protection devices 20 by an individual 12.

For ease of reference the first set of data 26 will be referred to as the internal sound data 26 and the second set of data 28 will be referred to as the external sound data 28. When hearing protection devices 20 are not used the internal sound data 26 is representative of the external sound data 28. This is referred to as unprotected data. Otherwise the internal sound data 26 is representative of protected sound data.

As shown in Figure 1, the system 10 further includes a storage facility 30 for maintaining a record of the sound exposure data 24. In the embodiment the storage facility 30 advantageously provides a record of the long term exposure of an individual 12 to sound. An individual's long term use of the hearing protection devices 20 can be advantageously determined from the record.

Advantageously, the records stored by the storage facility 30 associate the sound exposure data 24 with each unique code 18 and, as a result, each individual 12.

The sound exposure data 24 has a respective time value associated with each measurement. This advantageously allows the use of the hearing protection devices 20 by an individual 12 to be particularized to a particular hour, minute and second of a particular day.

By comparing the internal sound data 26 and the external sound data 28 for a particular individual 12 at a particular time, it is possible to determine whether an individual 12 was exposed to an unsafe level of sound at a particular time and also whether the individual was protected by a hearing protection device 20.

In the embodiment, identification units 32 are built into the hearing protection devices 20. Each identification unit 32 forms part of the identification facility 14 and is provided in the form of a keypad module 34. The keypad modules 34 are considered to be advantageous as they allow each of the hearing protection devices 20 to be associated with one of the individuals 12 at a time.

In order to activate a hearing protection device 20 an individual enters a login into the keypad module 34 of a hearing protection device 20 in the form of a character code. Each hearing protection device 20 includes a LED 36 that provides an acknowledgement when an authorised character code is entered into the keypad module 34. The LED 36 shows an amber colour to indicate that a keypad module 34 is ready to accept a password once an authorised character code has been entered. If an authorised password is entered the LED 36 changes to a green colour to indicate that the hearing protection device 20 is now associated with the individual 12. Whilst there are a number of alternatives to the use of LEDs, one specific alternative indicator of operational status would be a voice message transmitted by the hearing protection device 20 to the user.

This is considered to be particularly advantageous as the unique codes 18 and identification units 32 mean that any individual 12 can use any one of the hearing protection devices 20 with the identification unit 32 of the particular hearing protection device associating the individual 12 with that hearing protection device 20. The individual 12 will accordingly be associated with the hearing protection device 20 during which time the hearing protection device 20 is able to record sound exposure data 24 and associated that data with that individual. The individual serial numbers of the hearing protection devices 20 are not required. Furthermore if a hearing protection device 20 is lost or misplaced, an individual 12 is able to use another hearing protection device 20 without possibly corrupting the collection of the sound exposure data 24. This is considered to be particularly advantageous as it allows for the improved reliability of the collection of sound exposure data 24 associated with an individual 12. As a result, the monitoring of compliance with occupational health and safety policies relating to internal and external sound exposure of an individual is improved. Of course, whilst it may be beneficial to use identification units, the system of the present invention could be operated by simply allocating a code or other identifier such as a serial number to a hearing protection means and then associating that number with a particular employee/user. Hearing protection devices 20 with the keypad modules 34 are relocatable and can be used at remote locations wirelessly communicating with a central server. In the present embodiment each keypad module 34 is built into the body of a corresponding ear-muff type hearing protection devices. In the case of ear-plug type hearing protection devices the keypad modules are be built into separate digital signal processing units in near communication with the actual earplugs such as being worn around to the chest of an individual or being connected to an individual's belt. Such pod type units are generally known.

In other arrangements a finger print identification system or voice identification system is used instead of the keypad modules. These systems are considered to be advantageous as no physical pressing of buttons is required. With voice identification systems the hearing protection devices 20 may audibly request identification, record a response and then send the response wirelessly to a central server for verification. In other embodiments the hearing protection device 20 may have several pre- stored voices identifiers and perform the verification themselves.

In the embodiment, the keypad modules 34 form part of a security mechanism 38 that can be thought of as being part of the identification facility 14, with advantageous functionality. The identification facility 14 includes an association warning facility 40.

With the arrangement each hearing protection device 20 is adapted to wirelessly send data to the association warning facility 40. The association warning facility 40 advantageously monitors the data and issues warnings to particular hearing protection devices 20 to prevent two or more hearing protection devices 20 from being associated with same individual at the same time. This is considered to be advantageous as it assists with preventing a person from surreptitiously using a unique identification password associated with another individual. The sound exposure data 24 is consequently advantageous for occupational health and safety reasons in terms of the reliability and accuracy provided.

In the embodiment the association warning facility 40 includes a deactivation facility 43. The association warning facility 40 uses the deactivation facility 43 when a first hearing device 42 is associated a first individual 44 and a second hearing device 46 makes a request for the second hearing device 46 to be associated with the same individual. In such a situation the association warning facility 40 advantageously issues a warning to the second hearing device 46 requesting information as to whether the first hearing device 42 is to be deactivated and be no longer associated with the first individual 44. If second hearing device 46 responds positively, after being instructed to do so by the individual, then the deactivation facility deactivates the first hearing device 42 and the second hearing device 46 is associated with the individual 44. If the second hearing device 46 responds negatively then no change is made.

Referring to Figure 2 there is shown a hearing protection device 48 according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. The hearing protection device 48 advantageously includes an identification facility 50 in the form of a finger print scanner 51 for allowing the hearing protection device 48 to be associated with one or more individuals.

The finger print scanner 51 serves to associate an individual with the hearing protection device 48 by determining a code from the finger print scanner 51 and storing that code so as to be associated with internal sound data and the external sound data that is recorded by the hearing protection device 48.

For recording the data, the hearing protection device 48 includes an external microphone 53 for recording external sound data and an internal microphone 55 for recording internal sound data.

The hearing protection device 48 includes two ear-muff elements 57 that are spaced apart by a distance 59 when in a non operative collapsed condition. This advantageously ensures that the internal microphone 55 records data representative of the external sound pressure level data when the hearing protection device 48 is not worn and records protected sound pressure level data when the hearing protection device 48 is worn and that a difference can be determined. Other mechanisms are of course possible.

The external microphone 53 and the internal microphone 55 are each calibrated to accurately monitor sound pressure levels and act as noise dosimeters.

In addition to the noise dosimeter capability, the hearing protection device 48 includes a GPS module 60 that provides real time position and time data, should a satellite fix be available. In other arrangements a plant specific positioning system is used. In the hearing protection device 48 digital signal processing, codecs and flash memory is used to calculate, monitor and record data. The data is recorded in flash memory and made accessible to be downloaded to a dedicated computer or server to maintain a record of an individual's noise exposure over a period of time.

With the embodiment the hearing protection device 48 is able to send data over a cable via any one of several data collection stations. The data collection stations collect recorded data from several hearing protection devices 48 and uniquely associates the data with the hearing protection device from which the data is downloaded as well as the individual using the identification code information that is also stored. The download mechanism may be implemented in a variety of ways including by cable, hearing protection device dock or wirelessly. If the hearing protection device 48 has an associated base station used for charging, then data can be downloaded to the base station during charging and stored in memory provided in the base station for that purpose. Advantageous software applications allow the data to viewed using the dedicated computer server in various advantageous formats.

In addition, the digital signal processing of the hearing protection device 48 is advantageously adapted to provide real time information and warnings to individuals using voice clips.

The hearing protection device 48 is further adapted to show the internal and external sound pressure level at any given time. Warnings are provided whenever the internal sound pressure level exceeds a predetermined threshold such as 82 dBA, 85 dBA, 90 dBA and so forth. Warnings are also provided when the accumulated daily dose approaches or exceeds recognised safe levels. This is considered to be advantageous.

In the embodiment the hearing protection device 48 is able to: (i) apply filters to the microphone signals, such as A-weighted or C-weighted filters; (ii) calculate the true root mean square (RMS) sound pressure level (SPL) impinging the ear and externally; (iii) record the peak and average SPL measured internally and externally of the hearing protection device on a periodic basis; (iv) determine and record the location of the hearing protection device when the SPL measurements were calculated; (v) determine and record the time when the SPL measurements were measured and calculated; (vi) allow the recorded data to be downloaded from the hearing protection device via cable, docking station or wirelessly; (vii) provide records that are uniquely linked to a specific hearing protection device and/or the individual; and (viii) provide informative voice messages to the individual using an electronic circuit and speakers.

The voice messages advantageously include messages providing: (i) in-ear and external noise levels; (ii) a warning when in-ear noise levels approach or exceed set limits; and (iii) a warning when the total daily noise dose approaches or exceed set limits.

In addition, the hearing protection device 48 provides communication functions including: (i) face to face communication; (ii) mobile phone communication; and (iii) 2- way radio communication.

The hearing protection device 48 provides at least 15 dB of noise suppression when worn according to instructions. The hearing protection device 48 is considered to be advantageous for a number of reasons including its monitoring and recording capability measuring the protected and unprotected noise exposure, time and position. Other advantages include the providing real time warnings of excessive noise exposure as well as the identification functionality detailed above.

Referring to Figure 3 there is shown a system 70 according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. Advantageously the system 70 is able to monitor the long term exposure of one or more individuals 72 to sound.

In the system 70 there is provided a sound data facility 73 for receiving sound exposure data 74 relating the use of hearing protection devices 76 by one or more of the individuals 72.

There is provided a storage facility 78 for maintaining a record of the sound exposure data 74 of over a substantial period of time so as to be indicative of the long term exposure of the one or more individuals 72. There is further provided a processing facility 80 for use in generating representations 82 indicative of the use of the hearing protection devices 76 by the one or more individuals 72 over time. In the embodiment the processing facility 80 produces representations in the form of charts and plots. In other embodiments emails are generated with cumulative data and tables. Various types of representation are able to be provided. The system 70 is considered to be advantageous as the long term exposure of the individuals 72 is able to be analysed and represented over the full working life of an employee in say the mining industry. Presently there is no way of generating representations showing the long term exposure of one or more individuals. The system is also able to accommodate partial data by using an initial hearing measurement for older workers. Nonetheless the system 70 is particularly directed to collecting data over an individual's full working life. Obviously time outside of work is to be excluded as this does not form part of an individuals working life.

The system 70 includes an interface facility 84 for interfacing with other systems to proactively maintain a complete record of an individual's hearing over the individuals working life. Presently there are considered to be no such systems that proactively interface with other systems to provide a complete record over an employee's exposure over the individual entire working life.

The system 70 further includes a policy facility 86 that maintains one or more policies 88 regarding the use of the hearing protection devices 76 by the individuals 72. The policies 88 include thresholds for internal sound data and external sound data relating to the hearing protection devices 76. The processing facility 80 is coupled to the policy facility 86 and is adapted to generate representations indicative of the use of hearing protection devices 76 by the one or more individuals 72 in accordance with the policies 88.

In the case where a policy 88 is not complied with such as an internal sound recording of 85 dB(A) being recorded as internal sound data for a period of more than 2 seconds, the system 70 will generate a warning to be sent by email to a particular party. This is done using a communications facility 90 that forms part of a warning facility 91. Possible parties that may be informed using the system 70 include safety officers as well as individuals.

In this arrangement the policy facility 86 includes a global long term exposure policy 92 that is applicable to each of the individuals 72. The processing facility 80 maintains a cumulative watch on the total sound exposure and expected hearing damage for each individual's working life. When a cumulative maximum is reached the processing facility 80 generates a long term exposure warning that is emailed by the communications facility 90 to an employer associated with the particular individual 72. When the cumulative maximum is sent, parameters indicative of the use the hearing protection devices 72 are sent in the email along with the warning. The parameters show how often the individual has used the hearing protection devices 72 over his or her working life and provides several estimates in view of the maximum. Notably, before this occurs, the system 70 preferably issues warnings to ensure that the long term exposure of an individual does not reach the maximum. Daily dose policies are also maintained.

Each of the hearing devices 76 is adapted to record actual sound levels representative of sound actually impinging an individual's ear as well as external sound levels that are representative of the sound that would impinge an individual's ear but for the use of one of the hearing protection devices 76. The processing facility 80 includes a comparison facility 94 for use in generating representations of the actual sound levels in comparison to the external sound levels.

As shown in Figure 3, the system 70 includes a time data facility 96 for receiving time data 98 forming part of the sound data 74. The processing facility 80 is advantageously adapted for use in generating representations of the use of the hearing protection devices 76 over selected periods of time using the time data 98.

The system 70 further includes a location data facility 100 for receiving location data 102 relating to the position of the individuals 72 when sound measurement data 104 was recorded according to the time data 98.

The ability to record location data 102 and combine the location data 102 with the sound measurement data 104 in relation to the time data 98 is considered to be particularly advantageous as it is possible to track the movement of individuals and determine their routines and use of the hearing devices 76 in relation to those routines. This functionality also allows the hearing protection devices to be used to identify and locate high noise areas.

Location based policies 106 that combine location and sound exposure criteria are used in the system 70 to provide particularly advantageous uses in terms of occupational health and safety monitoring and warnings. The system 70 is also adapted to receive hearing protection device identifier data 103 in the form of the serial numbers of the hearing protection devices 76 and unique code data 105 that identifies the individuals. In this manner the storage facility 78 is adapted to maintain records associated with the individual 72 and records associated with the hearing protection devices 76. This is considered to be advantageous for tracking individuals and also the calibration of the hearing protection devices 76. The system 70 advantageously includes a calibration facility for this purpose. Using a search facility, records can be located that are associated either with an individual or a hearing protection device. .

In order to provide these advantageous uses, the processing facility 80 uses the storage facility 78 to process records of the sound measurement data 104 and the associated location data 102 with respect to the time data 98. The records are processed by a relation facility 108 that relates the sound measurements data 104 and the location data 102 in generating the representations 82.

The relation facility 108 is coupled to a map facility 110 that is adapted to associate the location data 102 with a physical layout 112 stored in the storage facility 78. The map facility 110 operates together with the relation facility 108 in generating representations that illustrate portions of the physical layout 112 in combination with the sound measurements data 104 and the location data 102 where the representations are indicative of the use of the hearing protection devices 76. As such the representations are indicative of the actual (internal) and exposed (external) sound levels in relation to use of the hearing protection devices 76 by the individuals 72.

Figure 4 illustrates a representation 114 generated by the processing facility 80. In the representation 114 the location data 102 is interpolated over the time data 98 to show a path 116 of travel by an individual 118 in relation to a portion 120 of the physical layout 112. The sound measurements 104 are illustrated as an interpolated path 122 of estimated actual sound impinging the individual's ear along with an interpolated path 124 of the estimated external sound to which the individual 118 was subject over the time period.

In addition, the processing facility 80 generates the representation 114 to show a number of warnings that were delivered to the individual 118 through a hearing protection device 125 carried by the individual 118. Advantageously each of the hearing protection devices 76 in the system 70, including the hearing protection device 125, is provided with a GPS facility 126 and a speaker 128. The GPS facility 126 is used to provide the location data 102 while the speaker 128 is used to provide the warnings to the individual. Increased volume is used depending on the severity of the estimated actual sound experienced by the individual.

Advantageously warnings are also provided based solely on location data 102 and possibly time data 98. One example of such a warning is shown in Figure 4 where a warning 130 is shown as having been provided to the individual 118 before entering an area labelled 'Α'. In the present example the area was known by the warning facility 91 in association with the map facility 110 and the physical layout 112. Given the time of day the system 70 expected that the area labelled 'A' would be subject to hazardous intermittent noise.

As shown in the representation 114 generated by the processing facility 80, the warning facility 91 sent a further warning 132 when the actual sound level was measured at 86 dB(A) where the external sound level was measured at 87 dB(A). The warning facility 91 wirelessly received sound data indicating that the estimated actual sound was over a predetermined safe level e.g. 85dBA and so close to the estimated external sound that the hearing protection device 125 was not being worn or being worn incorrectly. Given that the sound pressure level exceeded the level of a policy 88, the warning 132 was sent. The warning 132 can be of any form provided it is capable of being received by the intended recipient. Warnings for individuals wearing the hearing protection device 125 could be sound based warnings, visual warnings, such as flashing lights provided on the hearing protection device 125, or other warnings such as vibrational warnings. It should also be appreciated that a combination of warnings could be delivered to the recipient.

In the embodiment the representation 114 is provided as a display on a computer screen. By clicking on the warning 132 a person interfacing with the system 70 is provided with extra information showing the two sound level measurements. The present applicant is not aware of any such similar system that provides as advantageous representations from an occupational health and safety point of view. The location data 102 in the form of the path 116 is shown along with the measured actual sound path 122 and the measured external sound path 124. The sound exposure data 74 is be collected with the sound measurement data 104 being average A-weighted true sound pressure levels calculated every second. In other embodiments the sound measurement data 104 could of course be average A-weighted true sound pressure levels calculated on another periodic basis such as every minute, peak A-weighted sound pressure level calculated on a periodic basis, a daily noise dose or another measurement.

The time data 98 comprises year, month, day, hour, minute and second data. The location data 102 comprises GPS coordinates.

Figure 5 illustrates an alternative representation 134 having points 136. The points 136 show severity ratings 138 at predetermined median time intervals. Various types of points, paths and indicators may be used in the representations combining sound, location and time data. Figure 4 advantageously shows a vicinity indicator 140 showing the number of individuals in the vicinity of individual 118 at the time of the warning 132. This is advantageous as well.

Figure 6 shows a representation 142 generated by the processing facility 80 where the representation 142 shows use of the hearing protection devices 76 by the individual 118 over a selected period of six months during which the sound exposure data and the location data were collected. According to the policy facility 86 the representation shows instances over the six month period where first policy criteria 144, second policy criteria 146 and third policy criteria 148 where exceeded. The policy criteria in the representation 142 represent daily time weighted average estimates for the individual 118 where threshold was exceeded. In the example of Figure 6 daily thresholds based on actual exposure were exceeded 20 times during the six month period.

The representation 142 accordingly illustrates movement an individual over a six month period while also indicating that the use of the hearing protection devices 76 was insufficient.

Figure 7 shows a representation 150 that provides a plot 152 that is indicative of the sound exposure that the individual 118 would have been exposed to if the hearing protection devices 76 were not used to protect the hearing of the individual 118. The representation 150 also provides a plot 156 that is indicative of the sound exposure to which an individual was actually exposed. These two plots extend over a twelve month period and show a general improvement in the use of the hearing devices 76 by the individual 118. The representation 150 also advantageously shows the categories and numbers of warnings received over the twelve month period. As shown warnings were only received in the months of January, February and September.

The cumulative sound pressure level 151 is shown in a side plot along with a maximum threshold 153 for the individual 118. The cumulative level 155 of the external sound pressure level is also shown which would have been the cumulative level 151 but for the use of hearing protection.

The processing facility is also able to advantageously generate a number of further advantageous representations these include:

(i) representations indicative of the sound exposure that the individual 118 would have been exposed to if the hearing protection devices 76 were used in accordance with the policies of the policy warning facility 86;

(ii) representations indicative of the sound exposure that the individual 118 would have been exposed to if the hearing protection devices 76 were used in accordance with the issued warnings.

Figure 8 illustrates a three dimensional representation 157 over an industrial plant (not shown). The representation 157 is similar to the representation 114 shown in Figure 4 but in three dimensions. The representation 157 accords with a physical layout of the industrial plant which is optionally shown.

The system 70 provides several advantages in addition to those described. One of the main advantages is clearly that the sound exposure of an individual can be monitored over the individuals working life to assist with preventing differing degrees of noise induced hearing loss. Time weighted averages for an individual can be advantageously used to track and also determine whether or not an employer is responsible for the hearing loss. Sometimes employees will damage their hearing outside of their work environments and this can be advantageously determined using the system 70.

The various representations and statistical data generated are also considered to be particularly advantageous in determining hazardous areas. This allows employers to build noise models of their plants and design noise and sound barriers for particular locations. It is considered that safety officers will be able to make advantageous use of the external sound data and possibly the internal sound data for this purpose.

With the noise models of a plant it is considered possible to determine advantageous policies whereby hearing protection devices issue a warnings that are determined by either the hearing protection device or a central server.

In the embodiments, if the individual is not wearing a hearing protection device, and enters a high noise area the in-ear microphone should pick up a high level of noise and issue an audible or visual warning. Audible warnings would be typically heard if the hearing protector was worn around the individual's neck. Visible warnings should be apparent when the hearing protection device is in view.

Additionally, a warning may be sent using the location data 102 when an individual 72 enters a particular area that is known to be associated with high intermittent noise. The location data gathered is compared against boundary locations stored in memory. These boundary locations may be stored as rectangles requiring 4 x-y coordinates. Three dimensional coordinate systems may also be used.

In yet further embodiments when a hearing protection device enters a particular area at a particular time the hearing protection device may automatically activate and start recording sound exposure data.

In further embodiments different users are able to provide one or more maps of their company's site in various formats. Sound exposure data is collected and stored in their hearing protection devices. Each hearing protection device is connected to a server or another data collection means such as a computer and the sound exposure data is sent to a central server. The maps are stored on the central sever and are combined with the sound exposure data. A user is able to go to three points on the map and enter GPS coordinates to view statistics associated with those coordinates. Users are able to provide 2 dimensional JPEG slices at predetermined heights so long as it is to scale. In other embodiments 3 dimensional computer models are used.

With the 2 dimensional JPEG slices there may be shown a track of dots on the map showing where one or more individuals have been. The dots are colour coded to highlight sound pressure levels. Alongside the track points in-ear and external sound pressure levels are indicated as are locations where the individual received a warning. One option allows warnings to be shown where the in-ear SPL level exceeds user or predefined thresholds.

A separate display shows the internal or external sound pressure level against time. Position data may not always be available especially if the hearing protection device was located indoors or underground. Nonetheless, the sound pressure level and time are expected to always be available. The display shows sound pressure level against time location. This data is also colour coded. Indications when an individual received a warning message are indicated on the display. The display may be shown as plot.

The display preferably shows time weighted average sound pressure level data over time indicative of the long term exposure of a worker. Other displays show various statistical information for the entire workforce. Time weighted average exposure is advantageously able to be indexed according to job function, shifts and so forth.

Preferably each hearing protection device has a display that is adapted to show data using several buttons. The buttons advantageously allow the user to determine and show the in- ear sound pressure level data and external sound pressure level data.

Referring to Figure 9 there is shown a method 158 according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. At block 160 the method 158 includes receiving sound exposure data 162 relating to use of at least one hearing protection device 164 by one or more individuals 166. At block 168 the method 158 includes maintaining a record of the sound exposure data 162 over time. At block 170 the method 158 generates representations 172 indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device 164 by the one or more individuals 166.

At block 174 location data 176 is received were the location data 176 relates to the position of the one or more individuals 166 when the sound exposure data 162 was measured. At block 170 the representations 172 generated are indicative of the use of at least one hearing protection device 164 by the one or more individuals 166 where the sound exposure data 162 and location data 176 are used together in the representations. The representations that are generated are similar to representation 114. In the method 158, at block 180, each of one or more individuals 166 are associated with a unique corresponding code 182. The sound exposure data 162 is associated with the codes 180 when stored.

As would be apparent, each of the systems may be embodied in many ways including partly in both hardware and/or software. For example the processing facility 80 as an abstraction may comprise several software modules that form presentation software and be combined with other facilities. Advantageous representations that can be provided by the system include sound pressure levels associated with a particular hearing protector or user of the hearing protector in a number of formats. These representations include maps of noise exposure level and location, graphs or tables of noise exposure and time, graphs or tables of daily noise dose over time. Excessive noise levels are advantageously highlighted.

Figures 10-15 illustrate various capabilities of one embodiment of the system of the present invention that can:

(i) continuously monitor both the ambient and in-ear sound pressure levels;

(ii) issue alarms to users when they enter an area at which the in-ear noise exposure level exceeds the safe level;

(iii) record the daily in-ear noise exposures for individual users and archive them for future use and/or to generate a historical record of the noise exposure for a user; and

(iv) provide GPS-based position tracking and recording that can be used to generate maps of spatial noise distribution of a given location.

The above features are made possible by:

(i) accurate monitoring and recording of both the external sound pressure level and the in-ear sound pressure level. The left and right in-ear sound pressure levels are independently recorded;

(ii) accurate time recording using internal real time clocks that are synchronised to GPS satellite clocks; and

(iii) accurate GPS-based position tracking and recording. Figures 10 to 13 illustrate various noise monitoring and recording performance capabilities of one embodiment of the system of the present invention. The system records the in-ear sound pressure levels regularly over a 12-hour shift and the daily recorded data can be archived and used at any point in the future. This data provides a historical record of the noise exposure for each user.

Archived data can be post-processed to perform statistical analysis and plot results. Examples of the post-processing include plotting the time-averaged noise exposures to confirm that the earmuff has been properly fitted, plotting the peak noise exposures for each recorded time interval to reveal the impact of impulsive noise sources, and to plot the cumulative noise exposure over a daily shift to ensure that the user's exposure remained inside the range of safe noise exposure levels.

Figure 10 is a graph showing the time-averaged noise exposure in a relatively quiet environment as recorded by the system of the embodiment. The length of the recording is over 10 hours and the recording was made at 1 second intervals, with the hearing protection device positioned on an artificial head inside a reasonably quiet environment.

The dashed lines in Figure 10 indicate the time- weighted average (TWA) for this particular recording. The TWA for a user's daily shift reveals the daily noise exposure for the user. The daily noise exposure must be less than the safe level (in this case 82dBA for a 12-hour shift).

The intermittent peaks in Figure 10 are attributed to nearby passing cars. The slight difference between the floor levels of the Internal (Left) and the Internal (Right) curves is due to the major source of ambient noise (street noise) being closer to the left ear-cup than the right ear-cup. The hearing protection device employs stereo processing to provide spatial awareness, and the results in Figure 10 illustrate this.

Another example of time-averaged noise exposures recorded by the system of the embodiment is shown in Figure 11. This time, the hearing protection device was worn by a user operating loud machinery.

The plot in Figure 11 is annotated to highlight five important time situations:

1. The user is located outside the machinery room with the machinery turned off. 2. The user turns on the machinery remotely but is still located outside the machinery room. The external sound pressure level is observed to be around 70dBA. The stereo nature of the signal processing in the hearing protection device used in the system is evident again, as this time the right ear cup is facing the noise source inside the machinery room.

3. The user enters the machinery room. The external sound pressure level exceeds the safe level of 82dBA by some margin, but the in-ear sound pressure level is well below the safe level. The earmuff is worn properly, and the noise suppression component of the signal processing in the hearing protection device is in action.

4. The user removes the earmuff from his head to illustrate improper usage or fit. The red crosses indicate the times at which the left and the right in-ear level exceeded the safe level. At that time, a warning alarm was played to the user in the form of the voice clip "Warning, in-ear SPL exceeds 82dBA". The warning lets the user know that the earmuff is worn improperly and that the hearing protection is compromised. 5. The user puts back on the earmuff and restores the hearing protection.

The system allows for archived data to be post-processed to reveal a variety of statistical information regarding a users noise exposure. Figure 12 illustrates one example in the form of a graph showing the number of warning alarms issued to a user in September 2009.

Another example of post-processing that is possible using the system according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in 3. The pie chart in Figure 13 shows a distribution of daily in-ear noise exposures across all users at a particular workplace.

Figures 14 and 15 illustrate the features of one embodiment of the system of the present invention that are a product of the GPS-based position logging feature and the sound pressure level recording feature. These system features make it possible to create "noise maps" for any location such as a workplace. These noise maps can be overlayed or otherwise combined with imported maps and custom building interior plans in popular image formats, as well as maps and satellite views. This allows accurate workplace noise maps to be generated from the recorded data.

Figure 14 is a noise map illustrating the ambient noise levels along an external wall of a workplace. The ambient noise levels are quite high, especially in the narrow corridor where a loud industrial air conditioning compressor is located. Figure 15 is a noise map illustrating the in-ear noise levels for the same workplace shown in Figure 14.

In a further embodiment, the hearing protection devices in the embodiments described herein could include processing means (not shown) which could be used to carry out the processing described in the embodiments described herein.

Within the system not all of the hearing protective devices may incorporate the functionality described herein. The data from these devices can be used as a reference point for all hearing protectors (regardless of their functionality) and policies in use in the work space.

In the embodiments described herein, it is preferable to measure the LEQ which is the equivalent sound pressure level: that is the steady sound level that, over a specified period of time, would produce the same energy equivalence as the fluctuating sound level actually occurring and could be described as the average sound level over the period of the measurement. Usually this is measured A-weighted but there is no time constant applied. The LEQ can be measured over different periods and is written as follows:

Leq(lhr) = The Leq noise level for a specific one-hour period.

Leq(9hr) = The Leq noise level for the period 10pm to 7am.

Leq(15hr) = The Leq noise level for the period 7am to 10pm.

As would be apparent, various alterations and equivalent forms may be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. This includes modifications within the scope of the appended claims along with all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A system for collecting information relating to sound exposure, the system comprising:

(i) an identification facility for associating each of a plurality of individuals with a unique identifier;

(ii) a sound data facility for receiving sound exposure data relating to use of at least one hearing protection device by one of the plurality of individuals; and

(iii) a storage facility for maintaining a record of the sound exposure data over time; wherein the record associates the sound exposure data with the unique identifier.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the identification facility is integrated with the hearing protection device.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the identification facility is separate from the hearing protection device.

4. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the unique identifier is a personal identification number

5. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the unique identifier is the name allocated to an individual.

6. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the unique identifier is a biometric characteristic of the individual.

7. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the unique identifier is associated with the hearing protection device.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the unique identifier is the serial number of the hearing protection device.

9. A system according to claim 7, wherein the unique identifier is embedded in software in the hearing protection device.

10. A system according to any preceding claim, further comprising a processing facility operable to generate one or more representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals.

11. A system according to any preceding claim, further comprising an association warning facility operable to determine if more than one hearing protection device is to be associated with a unique identifier corresponding to one of the individuals at any one time.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the association warning facility is operable to issue a warning to a second hearing protection device to be associated with a first individual when a first hearing protection device is already associated with the first individual.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the warning includes a request to the second hearing protection device as to whether the first hearing protection device should be deactivated and no longer associated with the first individual, and wherein the association warning facility is operable to deactivate the first hearing protection device in response to a positive response from the second hearing device thereto.

14. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the sound exposure data received by the sound data facility comprises data from at least two sources on the hearing protection device.

15. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the sound data facility for receiving sound exposure data relating to use of at least one hearing protection device by the individuals forms part of the hearing protection device.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein the sound exposure data comprises actual sound data that is representative of sound actually impinging an individual's ear and external sound data that is representative of the external sound that would impinge on the an individual's ear in the absence of a hearing protection device.

17. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the sound exposure data received by the sound data facility comprises data relating to sound pressure levels at both ears of the individuals.

18. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the sound exposure data includes time averaged data as well as peak/impulse data.

19. A system according to claim 16, wherein the sound exposure data received by the sound data facility is continuous and thus is fully representative of an individual's exposure.

20. A system according to any one of claims 10 to 19, further comprising a location data facility for receiving location data relating to the position of the one or more individuals, and wherein the processing facility is operable to relate the sound exposure data and the location data and to generate one or more representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals

21. A system according to claim 20, wherein the location data is received from the respective associated hearing protection device.

22. A system according to claim 20 or claim 21, further including a map facility for associating the location data with a physical layout and wherein the processing facility is operable to generate representations illustrating portions of the physical layout in combination with the sound exposure data and the location data, where the representations are indicative of the use of at least one hearing protection device.

23. A system according to any one of claims 10 to 22, further including a time data facility for receiving time data associated with the sound exposure data, and wherein the processing facility is operable to generate representations of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals over selected periods of time.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein the time data forms part of the exposure data.

25. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the storage facility is remote from the hearing protection device.

26. A system according to claim 25, wherein the storage facility is a data collection station.

27. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the storage facility is arranged to receive and store hearing protection device identification data.

28. A system according to any one of claims 10 to 27, wherein the processing facility is operable to generate representations that are indicative of the sound exposure that an individual would have been exposed to if the at least one hearing protection device was not used to protect the hearing of the individual.

29. A system according to any one of claims 10 to 28, wherein the processing facility is adapted to generate representations that are indicative of the sound exposure to which an individual was actually exposed.

30. A system according to any one of claims 10 to 29, wherein the processing facility is operable to generate representations indicative of the damage to an individual's hearing through actual sound exposure.

31. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the storage facility maintains a record of the sound exposure data of over a substantial period of time.

32. A system according to any preceding claim further including an interface facility for interfacing with other systems.

33. A system according to any one of claims 10 to 32, further including a policy facility for maintaining one or more policies regarding the use of the at least one hearing protection device, wherein the processing facility is operable to generate representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals in accordance with the one or more policies.

34. A system according to claim 33, wherein the policy facility includes a global long term exposure policy for individuals and the processing facility is operable to generate representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals and their accompanying long term exposure.

35. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the identification facility comprises a user interface for allowing login information to be entered into the associated hearing protection device.

36. A system according to any one of claims 10 to 35, wherein the processing means is provided in the hearing protection device and operable to provide real time information and warnings to individuals.

37. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the sound exposure data is average A- weighted true sound pressure levels calculated on a periodic basis.

38. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the sound exposure data is equivalent sound pressure level.

39. A system for providing information relating to sound exposure, the system comprising:

(i) a sound data facility for receiving sound exposure data relating to use of at least one hearing protection device by one or more individuals;

(ii) a storage facility for maintaining a record of the sound exposure data over time; and

(iii) a processing facility for use in generating representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals over time.

40. A system for providing information relating to sound exposure, the system comprising:

(ii) a location data facility for receiving location data relating to the position of the one or more individuals;

(iii) a storage facility for maintaining a record of the sound exposure data and the location data; and (iv) a processing facility for use in relating the sound exposure data and the location data and for generating one or more representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals.

41. A method for collecting information relating to sound exposure, the method comprising the steps of:

(i) associating each of a plurality of individuals with a unique identifier;

(ii) receiving sound exposure data relating to use of at least one hearing protection device by one of the plurality of individuals; and

(iii) maintaining a record of the sound exposure data over time;

wherein the record associates the sound exposure data with the unique identifiers.

42. A method according to claim 41, further comprising generating one or more representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals

43. A method according to claim 41 or claim 42, further comprising determining if more than one hearing protection device is to be associated with a unique identifier corresponding to one of the individuals at any one time.

44. A method according to claim 43, further comprising issuing a warning to a second hearing protection device associated with a first individual when a first hearing protection device is already associated with the first individual.

45. A method according to claim 44, wherein the warning includes a request to the second hearing protection device as to whether the first hearing protection device should be deactivated and no longer associated with the first individual, and the method includes the step of deactivating the first hearing protection device in response to a positive response from the second hearing device thereto.

46. A method according to any one of claims 41 to 45, wherein the step of receiving the sound exposure data comprises receiving data from at least two sources on the hearing protection device.

47. A method according to any one of claims 41 to 46, further comprising the step receiving location data relating to the position of the one or more individuals, relating the sound exposure data and the location data and generating one or more representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals

48. A method according to claim 47, wherein the location data is received from the respective associated hearing protection device.

49. A method according to any one of claims 41 to 48, further comprising the steps of associating the location data with a physical layout and generating representations illustrating portions of the physical layout in combination with the sound exposure data and the location data, where the representations are indicative of the use of at least one hearing protection device.

50. A method according to any one of claims 41 to 49, further comprising the steps of receiving time data associated with the sound exposure data and the location data, and generating representations of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals over selected periods of time.

51. A method according to any one of claims 41 to 50, further comprising the step of generating representations that are indicative of the sound exposure that an individual would have been exposed to if the at least one hearing protection device was not used to protect the hearing of the individual.

52. A method according to any one of claims 41 to 51, further comprising the step of generating representations that are indicative of the sound exposure to which an individual was actually exposed.

53. A method according to any one of claims 41 to 51, further comprising the step of generating representations indicative of the damage to an individual's hearing through actual sound exposure.

54. A method according to any one of claims 41 to 53, further comprising the step of maintaining a record of the sound exposure data of over a substantial period of time.

55. A method according to any one of claims 41 to 54, further comprising the steps of maintaining one or more policies regarding the use of the at least one hearing protection device, and generating representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals in accordance with the one or more policies.

56. A method according to claim 55, further comprising the step of: generating representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals and their accompanying long term exposure.

57. A method according to any of claims 41 to 56, wherein storage facility is remote and data is downloaded thereto.

58. A method according to any one of claims 41 to 57, further including the step of providing real time information and warnings to individuals.

59. A method according to any one of claims 41 to 58, wherein the sound exposure data is average A-weighted true sound pressure levels calculated on a periodic basis.

60. A method according to any one of claims 41 to 58, wherein the sound exposure data is equivalent sound pressure level.

61. A method for collecting information relating to the sound exposure comprising:

(i) associating each of a plurality of individuals with a unique corresponding code;

(ii) receiving sound exposure data relating to use of at least one hearing protection device by the individuals; and

(iii) associating the sound exposure data with the codes and maintaining a record of the sound exposure data over time.

62. A method of providing sound exposure information comprising: (i) receiving sound exposure data relating to use of at least one hearing protection device by one or more individuals;

(ii) maintaining a record of the sound exposure data over time; and

(iii) generating representations indicative of the use of at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals.

63. A method of providing sound exposure information comprising:

(i) receiving sound exposure data relating to use of at least one hearing protection device by one or more individuals;

(ii) receiving location data relating to the position of the one or more individuals;

(iii) maintaining a record of the sound exposure data and the location data; and

(iv) generating one or more representations indicative of the use of the at least one hearing protection device by the one or more individuals where the sound exposure data and the location data are used together in the representations.

64. A database comprising sound exposure data relating to use of at least one hearing protection device by individuals wherein the data is associated with a unique corresponding code that is associated with an individual.

65. A database according to claim 64, wherein the data in the database is one or more of: continuous over time; includes sound exposure data from at least two sources on the hearing protection device; and includes data relating to sound pressure levels at both ears of the individuals.

66. A hearing protection device for use in a system or method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 65, the device including an identification facility for enabling the hearing protection device to be associated with one or more individuals.

67. A hearing protection device according to claim 66, further comprising a means for identifying the location of the hearing protection device.

68. A hearing protection device according to claim 66, further comprising a means for storing information such as sound exposure or location data.

69. A hearing protection device according to claim 68, wherein the sound exposure data is average A-weighted true sound pressure levels calculated on a periodic basis.

70. A hearing protection device according to claim 68, wherein the sound exposure data is equivalent sound pressure level.

71. A hearing protection device according to claim 66, further comprising a means for communicating with a data processing facility.

72. A hearing protection device according to claim 66, further comprising an in ear dosimeter.

73. A hearing protection device according to claim 66, further comprising a means for providing passive sound suppression of at least 15dBA.

74. A hearing protection device according to claim 66, further comprising a microphone array arranged to be pointed in the direction of a sound source when the device is in use and generate corresponding sound signals.

75. A hearing protection device according to claim 66, further comprising a means for processing sound signals generated by a directional microphone array to enhance sound received thereby relative to other sound received by said directional microphone array and generate a corresponding enhanced signal.

76. A hearing protection device according to claim 66, further comprising a means for measuring sound pressure levels from at least two sources such as both ears of the individuals.

77. A hearing protection device according to claim 66, further comprising loud speaker means to reproduce a corresponding enhanced signal as audible sound.

78. A system for collecting information relating to sound exposure as hereinbefore described with reference to the Figures.

79. A method of providing sound exposure information as hereinbefore described with reference to the Figures.

80. A hearing protection device as hereinbefore described with reference to the Figures.