Digital Method for Improved Custom Hearing Protection Equipment

Award Information

Agency: Department of Defense	Branch: N/A	Award ID: 87773	Program Year/Program: 2010 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number: N082-153-1115	Solicitation Year: 2008	Solicitation Topic Code: N08-153	Solicitation Number: 2008.2

Small Business Information: ShapeStart Measurement Systems, Inc.
6991 Peachtree Industrial Blvd Building 400 Norcross, GA -
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Woman-Owned: No

Minority-Owned: No

HUBZone-Owned: No

Phase 2: Fiscal Year: 2010

Title: Digital Method for Improved Custom Hearing Protection Equipment

Agency: DOD

Contract: N68335-10-C-0109

Award Amount: $749,958.00

Abstract:
The DoD spends over $1 Billion annually on disability payments attributed to hearing loss, yet this can be prevented. Research shows that with proper hearing protection a 19% reduction in hearing loss cases can be expected. Custom ear plugs force the user to wear the devices correctly and to retain hearing protection during activity, thus eliminating improper seating issues as the primary cause of DoD hearing loss cases. Realization of custom ear plugs within the DoD has been slow because current manual/physical ear impression technology is difficult to implement on a large scale therefore a new means of acquiring ear impressions is required. A non-contact digital ear imaging/fabrication device is proposed here which would reduce DoD disability payments by a projected $190 Million per year.

Principal Investigator:
Karol Hatzilias
President
(800) 568-2918
karol@shapestart.com

Business Contact:
Karol Hatzilias
President
(800) 568-2918
karol@shapestart.com

Small Business Information at Submission:

ShapeStart Measurement Systems, Inc.
6991 Peachtree Industrial Blvd Building 400 Norcross, GA -

EIN/Tax ID: 202426221

DUNS: N/A

Number of Employees:

Woman-Owned: No

Minority-Owned: No

HUBZone-Owned: No