US 12,144,707 B2
Smart hearing protection device
Ayman M. Arfaj, Dhahran (SA); Hassan A. Al Khunaizi, Dhahran (SA); and Salim A. Khasawinah, Dhahran (SA)
Assigned to SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed by SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed on Dec. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/646,430.
Prior Publication US 2023/0201040 A1, Jun. 29, 2023
Int. Cl. H04R 29/00 (2006.01); A61F 11/14 (2006.01); G01H 17/00 (2006.01); G08B 5/38 (2006.01); G08B 6/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 11/145 (2022.01) [G01H 17/00 (2013.01); G08B 5/38 (2013.01); G08B 6/00 (2013.01); H04R 29/00 (2013.01); H04R 29/008 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method, comprising:
wearing, by a user, a smart hearing protection (SHP) device, wherein the SHP device is operatively connected to an ear of the user, and wherein the user is located in a harsh industrial environment with high noise levels created by a noise source located external the SHP device and the human ear,
wherein the SHP device is an in-ear device;
measuring, by at least one internal sensor disposed on an external surface of the SHP device between the SHP device and the human ear, a sound pressure exposure level inside the ear of the user, wherein the sound pressure exposure level inside the ear of the user is sound pressure from the noise source that has been reduced by the SHP device;
measuring, by at least one external sensor disposed on an outer side of the SHP device and configured to measure a sound pressure level external to the SHP device, wherein the sound pressure level external to the SHP device is sound pressure from the noise source that has not been reduced by the SHP device;
wirelessly transmitting data including the measured sound pressure exposure level inside the ear of the user and the measured sound pressure level external to the SHP device to a smart hearing software application, wherein the smart hearing software application stores the data and monitors the sound pressure exposure level inside the ear of the user;
comparing the measured sound pressure exposure level inside the ear of the user to a sound pressure level safety threshold;
determining whether the measured sound pressure exposure level exceeds the sound pressure level safety threshold based on the comparison and using machine learning algorithms; and
sending an alert signal to the SHP device, when the measured sound pressure exposure level exceeds the sound pressure level safety threshold.