Audio Video News

Puro Sound Labs has added a headphone and in-ear monitor to its “Audio Protection” (AP) line of headphones designed to combat hearing loss.

A follow-up to the Healthy Ears BT5200 headphone introduced last year, the IEM200 in-ear monitor ($30) and OEH200 on-ear headphone ($40) were developed for students as a “safe alternative to the standard earbud/headphone that can cause irreversible damage by exceeding healthy volume levels.”

To reduce the chance of hearing damage, maximum volume of both models is limited to 85 dB and company has equalized the sound to “mimic flat, in-room speaker response that equally balances bass, vocal, and highs to deliver clear vocal reproduction without excessive volume.”

Both models are equipped with a hands-free microphone and in-line pause/play controls. The IEM200 comes with three silicone ear tips to accommodate different size ears. When properly seated, the tips are said to block of upwards of 80 percent of ambient noise (the on-ear OEH200 blocks 80 percent).

Noting that one in five teens in the U.S. have some form of hearing loss—a 30 percent increase since the mid 1990’s—Puro says noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the next big epidemic.

“The increasing use of electronic devices as a method of delivering classroom instruction, is putting headphones on children’s ears more frequently and for longer durations,” said Puro CEO Brett Lacey. “We already have a solution for everyday life, but we saw a gap in the market when it came to classrooms where kids are spending a significant amount of time.”

Puro is working with School Districts and Audiologists nationwide to create awareness of NIHL and provide a headphone alternative for parents and children.

For more information, visit purosound.com.