SAN FRANCISCO - Leading innovator of hearing protection technology to the global industrial market Sensear has been named a finalist and the representative of the Australian State of Western Australia in the 2009 Innovation Shootout, to take place in January in Los Angeles and Silicon Valley.
Sensear has developed the world’s most advanced hearing protection technology called SENS (Speech Enhancement , Noise Suppression)
Sensear was formed in 2006 to commercialize technology initially developed by WATRI (Western Australian Telecommunications Research Institute), a joint venture of the internationally respected Curtin University of Technology and the University of Western Australia. After two years of Research and Development the first products were commercialized early in 2008 and are now selling globally into the industrial sector.
“Research shows that noise induced hearing loss is major safety factor in many industrial environments,”
The Innovation Shootout is sponsored by the six State Governments of Australia, each of which chooses a local company that has developed a cutting edge technological advancement as its state finalist. Finalists will give presentations about their companies on January 13th during the Innovation Fast Pitch, taking place at the Business Technology Center, run by the Community Development Commission of the County of Los Angeles. They will then travel to the Bay Area to participate in the Innovation Shootout on January 15th at the Quadras Conference Center in Menlo Park. The winner will be selected by a panel of judges including technology experts, members of the media, and venture capitalists.
“The Government of Western Australia is extremely proud to have Sensear representing us at this year’s Innovation Shootout,” said Doug Partington, Regional Director of the Western Australian Trade and Investment Office for The Americas. “Sensear is a perfect example of the level of technological innovation and creativity present in Western Australia, and I am confident they will go far.”
Members of the media wishing to secure tickets for this year’s Australian Innovation Fast Pitch on January 13th in Los Angeles, or the Australian Innovation Shoot Out on January 15th in Silicon Valley should contact Dan Brown of Mulberry Marketing at 415-439-8357 or dbrown@mulberrymc.com. All Innovation Shoot Out events are invitation only, members of the general public should contact Louis Matthews from Advance Louis@advance.org to express their interest in attending these events.
Additionally, journalists interested in trialing Sensear’s products for themselves should contact Dan Brown at 415-439-8357 or dbrown@mulberrymc.com to arrange a demonstration.
# # #
About Sensear
Founded in 2006 in Perth, Sensear Pty Ltd has offices in Melbourne, Sydney, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Sensear’s world first technology is based on sophisticated algorithms, which isolate, clean and package speech while suppressing background noise to a safe level. Sensear has incorporated the technology into the world’s first electronic ear plug and now a ear muff which enable face to face, mobile phone and two-way radio communication.
Sensear won the Innovation category winner of the 2008 Western Australian Information Technology and Telecommunications Awards (WAITTA). At the same time, the company received a Western Australian Information Technology and Telecommunications Award, two Australian Information Industry Awards and was a finalist in the 2006 WA Inventor of the Year Award. The company is a finalist in the 2008 Dupont Innovation Awards and the 2008 Australian International Design Awards.
About Noise Induced Hearing Loss
Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is the world’s most common and costly occupational illness and according to the World Health Organization (WHO) its incidence is on the increase. It cannot be reversed but it can be prevented. NIHL is most commonly caused by industrial noise, but can also be attributed to loud noise in pubs, nightclubs, concerts and major events. In 2006 legislation was passed in the EU to make hearing protection compulsory for any worker exposed to 85dB(A) or above, not just industrial workers.
The technology within Sensear’s hearing protection devices has the ability to prevent new cases of NIHL by enabling face-to-face, mobile phone and two-way radio communication in high noise environments without the wearer having to remove hearing protection. This is where traditional forms of hearing protection have failed; they do not allow effective communication. SENS® is the only technology effective in enabling speech communication to be clearly audible above 85 dB(A).
