The NHCA outlines criteria for determining and recording work-related hearing loss on the OSHA 300 Log, emphasizing accurate reporting, ethical review, and employee follow-up. These guidelines help ensure hearing conservation programs meet both regulatory and preventive best practices.
Human ears continue to grow slowly throughout life, mainly in the outer ear lobe, while the ear canal and concha remain the same size and shape. This means a single 3D ear scan provides a lifetime-accurate fit for custom hearing protection.
Aware Custom Biometric Wearables has been named one of the Top 8 Wearable Tech Innovators for 2025 by the Innovation World Cup® and will present at the WT | Wearable Technologies Conference USA in Mountain View, California on September 16, 2025. This honor recognizes Aware's groundbreaking work in custom in-ear devices that combine hearing protection, enhanced communication, and continuous biometric monitoring—transforming the human ear into a platform for health and human performance.
Medical Futurist Article: Headphones are rapidly evolving from entertainment devices into health tools capable of tracking vital signs, monitoring hearing, and even capturing medical-grade data. With companies like Apple and Aware leading the charge, these “hearables” are transforming accessibility and redefining how we measure and manage personal health.
Aware Custom Biometric Wearables announces the publication in the Journal of Neural Engineering of an independent study validating its groundbreaking Ear-EEG, a non-invasive in-ear solution for long-term electroencephalogram (EEG) brain monitoring. The Aware Hearable, enabled by Aware’s patented 3D ear scanner, offers a custom-fit earbud designed for the ambulatory recording of brain activities with unprecedented precision.
Over a five-year period, Aware Industrial’s 3D-scanned custom hearing protection demonstrated a proven 360%+ ROI through reduced waste, fewer compensation claims, and improved compliance.
The U.S. Navy’s research teams are using 3D ear-scanning and additive manufacturing to modernize hearing protection for sailors exposed to extreme noise on aircraft carriers and flight lines. Developed by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), this breakthrough replaces traditional silicone ear molds with precise digital scans that capture the full ear canal geometry. The result is custom-fit earplugs that provide superior acoustic sealing, all-day comfort, and consistent protection against damaging decibel levels.
By integrating 3D printing with digital imaging, the Navy can produce hearing protection devices in-house, cutting delivery times in half and improving readiness across aviation, shipboard, and expeditionary environments. This innovation marks a major advancement in warfighter safety and performance, setting a new benchmark for the future of military hearing conservation.
The U.S. Navy is modernizing its approach to hearing protection to combat one of the military’s most reported disabilities—noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus. Traditional foam earplugs and earmuffs have proven inconsistent and uncomfortable, prompting the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) to develop a digital solution.
Led by Lt. Cmdr. Kyle Shepard, NAWCAD has introduced a new system using digital ear scanning and 3D printing to create custom-fitted hearing protection for every sailor. The process replaces the outdated silicone mold method with a safer, faster, and more precise scan, cutting production time by more than 50%. Sailors report improved comfort, better fit, and higher daily-use compliance.
The Navy envisions a future where sailors could be fitted for hearing protection as early as uniform issue, with 3D printers onboard ships and at bases enabling on-demand manufacturing. This innovation not only improves safety and readiness but also positions the Navy as a leader in next-generation hearing protection for joint military services.
The U.S. Senate recently advanced its Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations bill, providing an additional $7.5 million in Army Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation funding to improve existing hearing protection and communications solutions. “We are honored to partner with the U.S. Army to revolutionize military hearing protection for our warfighters,” said Sam Kellett, Jr., CEO of Aware. “Hearing loss is the number one service-connected disability, and Aware is delivering solutions to prevent it — setting a new standard for protection and performance. Because every ear is different, our 3D ear scanner delivers precision-built protection and communications for mission-critical environments, and our Hearable with continuous multimodal monitoring represents the next generation of in-ear innovation.”
