SMITHFIELD, RHODE ISLAND, USA, January 26, 2010 – Howard Leight^® today officially introduced the new Pilot™ push-in ear plug for occupational hearing protection – featuring an innovative hybrid design that combines the performance and cost savings of Quiet^® multiple-use ear plug with the superior comfort of Max^® single-use ear plug to deliver long-wearing comfort and total control over fit.

“Ear plugs should feel good all the time, not just some of the time. That’s why we created Pilot,” said Renee Bessette, COHC, Marketing Manager, Howard Leight/Sperian Hearing Protection, LLC. “We have harnessed our knowledge of people-oriented comfort and excellence in polyurethane foam technology to provide workers with the next level of comfort, fit and hearing protection in an ear plug.”

Pilot’s ergonomic design provides instant hearing protection upon proper insertion, and defends against additional occupational noise hazards by offering:

• Simple Fit - Pilot inserts easily into your ear with a simple fingertip twist of the non-obtrusive Navigation Stem for a quick, snug and comfortable fit. Pilot’s no-roll insertion delivers instant protection upon proper insertion and there is no wait for the fit to be complete.

• Great Comfort - Pilot’s soft, pearl-skinned Howard Leight polyurethane foam is resilient and easy-to-clean, delivering reliable, long-wearing performance. The Pilot push-in ear plug adapts to the shape of the ear canal for a more comfortable fit – for eight minutes or eight hours of hearing protection.

• Reliable Protection - With an NRR 26 rating, Pilot provides ideal, consistent hearing protection and ensures appropriate attenuation in medium to low noise environments (95 dB or less).

• Multi-Day Use - Pilot push-in ear plugs can be used for up to several work days/shifts without impacting its overall performance and delivers an improved cost-benefit for safety managers who need to manage tight PPE budgets.

“By creating, and improving, innovative hearing protection technology, we continue to honor our commitment to hearing conservation in the workplace and the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss,” said Bessette.

For more information visit http://www.howardleight.com/family/index/43/?locale=us.

About Howard Leight

Howard Leight/Sperian Hearing Protection, LLC is a leading global provider of passive and intelligent hearing protection solutions, and the founder of the HearForever™ initiative. For over 30 years, Howard Leight has pursued the prevention of occupational noise-induced hearing loss through innovation in hearing protection design, technology, performance and comfort, and the promotion of progressive Hearing Conservation Programs. Leading solutions include the highest attenuating Max^® single-use earplug; patented Air Flow Control™ technology for optimal earmuff attenuation; QuietDose™ personal in-ear dosimetry; and the industry-changing VeriPRO^® earplug fit testing system. Visit: www.howardleight.com.

Visit the Howard Leight website at www.howardleight.com. Follow us on Twitter (@HowardLeight) at twitter.com/HowardLeight.

About Sperian Protection

With nearly 6,000 employees worldwide, Sperian Protection is resolutely geared towards international markets. The world leader in personal protective equipment (hearing, eye, respiratory and fall protection, gloves, clothing and footwear), the Group offers innovative products adapted to high-risk environments so that all workers in the manufacturing and services industries can work with confidence. Sperian Protection is listed on Euronext’s Eurolist and on the SBF120.

# # #

Public Relations contact, Boston: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc., http://www.tizinc.com/public-relations