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Aware Defense, a division of Aware Custom Biometric Wearables, was awarded a five-year sole-source contract by the Naval Air Systems Command's Aircrew Systems Program Office to supply custom hearing protection for Naval Aviation personnel. The contract was announced September 14. It makes the company the Navy's exclusive source for 3D ear scanning, manufacturing of custom hearing protection and communications earplugs, and delivery of devices fitted to each person's ear anatomy. Production is set to scale to 42,000 custom-fit units.
Noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus are among the most common service-connected disabilities for veterans, and hearing damage is one of the most frequently reported injuries across the Department of Defense. Service members commonly work around small arms, artillery, aircraft engines, and armored vehicles, which puts them at high risk. According to the company, standard-issue protection is often left unworn when it does not fit well or interferes with communication, which the custom-fit approach is intended to help fix. During an earlier phase, the company reported producing 6,373 custom-fit devices between September 2025 and July 2026, alongside Navy audiologists and aeromedical safety officers.
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