Howard Leight Industries-A Bacou-Dalloz Co.: AirSoft® Earplugs Offer Improved Fit, Comfort and Performance

Friday, August 04, 2006

earing protection leader Howard Leight has redesigned and updated its popular AirSoft® multiple-use earplugs. First introduced nearly 30 years ago, AirSoft was the first earplug to utilize an internal air pocket. Offering industry's highest noise reduction rating (NRR 27), AirSoft quickly became an industry standard and the flagship product of the Howard Leight® line. The updated AirSoft includes new material, new design features and new engineering technologies that provide even better fit, comfort and performance. "With AirSoft approaching its 30th birthday, it was appropriate to look for ways to improve upon the original design," said Bill Sokol, Vice President Strategic Marketing for the Bacou-Dalloz Hearing Safety Group, parent company of Howard Leight. "With recent advances in material science and design innovations, it quickly became apparent that we could make an industry standard like AirSoft even better. The improved AirSoft design is easier to insert, fits better in the ear, and is more comfortable for long-time wear." Key to the success of the original AirSoft and to the redesigned product is its internal air pocket design. The improved design incorporates a series of patented, noise-blocking fins within the pocket. As the air pocket compresses in the ear canal, these fins interweave to create a noise-blocking barrier optimized to the wearer's ear canal. This facilitates more dependable attenuation from one user to another. A fourth flange has been added to AirSoft's profile, and the center shaft has been stiffened to facilitate insertion and removal, and to assure a more consistent fit. The new flange design creates a better seal in the ear canal and is more tapered, with rounded edges, to increase comfort. As a result, AirSoft fits more comfortably in a wider range of ear canals, eliminating the necessity for multiple sizes. The original PVC material in AirSoft has been replaced with a more user-friendly TPE which also increases comfort, especially during long-time wear. Howard Leight has retained AirSoft's familiar look, but has added a trademarked logo on the stem collar to assure users they are receiving a genuine Howard Leight product. AirSoft is available in corded and uncorded versions, and at NRR 27, AirSoft provides the industry's highest attenuation available in a multiple-use earplug. "In recent product testing, safety managers unanimously endorsed AirSoft's improvements, citing better fit, comfort and enhanced protection," Sokol said. "Our improved AirSoft is designed to please both current users of the original AirSoft, as well as new customers looking for the latest and greatest in in-ear solutions."

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