1 Martha Tate, Rick Zepp, Audra Wright, Rick Purcell, Waihong Leong, Cristine Schulz

2 Lead the world in essentials for a better life.

3 Protective Apparel: Comfort Drives Compliance

4 How do we measure comfort of protective apparel? ACTUAL USE WORK ENVIRONMENT End users Usual environment Full or partial shift Usual work SIMULATED USE LABORATORY End users Controlled environment (RH, temperature) Shorter times Simulated work

5 What do we know from measuring comfort of other protective apparel and devices? Human subject variability is high Takes researcher experience to understand new garments and systems Exaggerate motions and conditions to tell differences with simulated use For small area comfort measures, wear full ensemble with focus on one item of ensemble

6 Approach to Measuring Comfort of Hearing Protection

7 Rate attributes on 7 point scale How: –Comfortable was this product? –Easy to use was this product? –Well did this product fit? –Well did you like it overall? –Well did this product work with other PPE?

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9 Users are presented with the order in which they evaluated products. They force rank all products evaluated _____ Most Preferred; Explain: ___________ _____ Explain: _________________________ _____ Least Preferred; Explain: ___________

10 End of Shift Preference for Similar Ear Plugs Few significant differences were seen between the products in this study. Prototype was preferred to Commercial #1 Overall. The prototype was least preferred for Easier to Put On.

11 End of Shift Preference for Different Products The prototype was significantly preferred Overall, Coolest Appearance, Staying in Place, and Fit

12 Repeatability of Comfort Demonstrated at Two Industrial Sites

13 Summary Comfort was evaluated in work environment –Need cooperation of the facility –Ability to interview workers onsite a big plus 2 hours wear for screening and product development Full shift for preference among products Methods are highly repeatable

14 Thanks to the team! Rick Zepp Audra Wright Cristine Schulz Waihong Leong Rick Purcell