New VeriPRO Technology From Howard Leight Measures Real-World Attenuation of Earplugs

Smithfield, RI — New VeriPRO technology just introduced by Howard Leight by Sperian now makes it possible for safety managers to ensure employees are getting the most out of their hearing protection devices.

Developed in conjunction with the House Ear Institute (www.hei.org), VeriPRO measures real-world attenuation of unmodified earplugs and can be used as a means to improve individual employee training and enhance the overall effectiveness of hearing conservation programs.

“VeriPRO makes it easy to get an accurate, real-world assessment of employees’ earplug fit, which is essential to achieving adequate attenuation,” said Brad Witt, Audiology and Regulatory Affairs Manager for Sperian Hearing Protection, LLC. “VeriPRO provides an excellent tool to improve both individual training, which studies have shown to be the most effective means of improving earplug attenuation, and overall hearing conservation program effectiveness.”

VeriPRO consists of software and an optimized headset, and utilizes a three-part process to determine the effectiveness of an employee’s earplug fit over a range of frequencies. The result, known as a Personal Attenuation Rating (PAR), identifies the actual protection an employee receives from his or her earplug in each ear.

Said Witt, “This allows safety managers to determine if their employees are receiving optimal protection, require additional training on how to fit their earplugs, or need to try a different model.”

VeriPRO benefits both safety managers and employees alike. For the safety manager, it fulfills OSHA’s requirements for training with documented results. For employees, VeriPRO demonstrates the importance of hearing protection in the workplace, and helps employees select and compare protectors to find the best choice for their ears and specific applications.

Unlike other field verification systems, VeriPRO can be used with any earplug, and performed in virtually any setting. VeriPRO offers two test protocols.

The Complete Check runs employees through five frequencies to determine PAR and is recommended for annual use.

The Quick Check is a simplified test of earplug fit at one frequency, used as a fast and easy pass/fail check for more frequent use. VeriPRO also includes short training videos on how to properly fit Howard Leight earplugs. Employee results are captured and stored in the program, and can be analyzed to determine program trends.

The VeriPRO package consists of PC-based software, an audiometrically optimized headset, audio processor, QuickStart guide and USB cable.

For additional information, call 877-VERIPRO or visit www.howardleightveripro.com to participate in a pilot deployment of VeriPRO.

About Howard Leight by Sperian:
From its beginnings as a one-man operation more than 30 years ago, Howard Leight by Sperian has grown into one of the largest global manufacturers of hearing protectors in the industrial market and the recognized innovator in protection and people-oriented fit. Howard Leight offers the widest variety of earplugs and bands, ranging from the highest attenuating Max single-use earplug, to SmartFit’s Conforming Material Technologywhich delivers a more personalized fitto our convenient Leight Source dispensers. Utilizing Bilsom Technology, Howard Leight earmuffs raise the bar on innovative design, performance and comfort, with features like padded wire headbands, high-visibility designs, unique sound management technologies and multi-level attenuation options. Visit Howard Leight online at http://www.howardleight.com

For additional information, contact:
Sperian Hearing Protection, LLC
7828 Waterville Road
San Diego, CA 92154
Tel: 800/430-5490
Fax: 401/232-3110
email: rbessette@SperianProtection.com
http://www.howardleight.com

Media Contact:
THOMAS RANKIN ASSOCIATES
Thomas R. Rankin, APR
(401) 884-4090
email: tomr@trankin.com