A multi-function earplug that measures in-ear noise, standard noise dosimetry and hearing function

Creare LLC received a $311,029 Project Grant award from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) under the Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders program (CFDA 93.173), effective September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026. The award supports the design, development, and testing of a multi-function earplug device that integrates three core capabilities: hearing protection for workers in noisy environments, personal noise dosimetry recording, and hearing function monitoring over time. This integrated in-ear system is intended to enable real-time monitoring of noise exposure and support early intervention strategies to prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), addressing the significant occupational health challenge affecting 22 million U.S. workers annually exposed to hazardous noise levels.

As part of the grant execution, Creare engaged Stephenson & Stephenson, Research & Consulting, LLC (Sasrac), a veteran-owned small business, as a sub-awardee effective February 25, 2026. Sasrac will conduct human studies and provide technical expertise during the development phase of the multi-function earplug device, supporting validation and testing activities essential to advancing the prototype toward practical implementation for workplace hearing protection and monitoring applications.

Abstract

22 million U.S. Workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels each year and approximately 16% of disabling hearing loss worldwide is work-related. In the US, despite significant regulations and the implementation of hearing conservation programs for decades, 25% of workers associate their hearing difficulties with workplace exposures. Typically, individual hearing monitoring is conducted yearly which can only provide a record of the progression of irreversible hearing loss with limited options for intervention and mitigation. Furthermore, there is limited data that links actual, real-world noise exposure to noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) making IT very difficult to develop evidence-based damage risk criteria. Creare proposes to design, build, and test a multi-function earplug that will (1) provide hearing protection during activities in noisy environments; (2) record personal noise dose; and (3) monitor hearing function over time. Our integrated in-ear hearing monitoring and protection system will allow users to monitor the potential impact of hazardous noise as close to the exposure as is possible, and eventually enable real-time intervention such as better engineering controls, changes in work schedules, better personal protection or even pharmaceuticals to mitigate pre-clinical hearing damage and prevent NIHL. We have assembled an expert team that is uniquely positioned to develop this technology thanks to its active involvement in the development of innovative technologies for hearing assessment, hearing protection, and dosimetry for individuals working in noisy settings.