Impulse Assessment of the 3M (trade mark) Peltor (trademark) ComTac (trademark) III Hearing Defender Headset
Abstract
The impulse peak insertion loss (IPIL) is the standard measure of attenuation provided by hearing protection devices (HPDs) in response to an impulsive noise. This technical memorandum describes the IPIL testing conducted on the 3M PELTOR ComTac III Hearing Defender Headset in two test modes: passive (i.e., OFF) and active (i.e., on and set to MAX). Testing was done in accordance with the ANSI standard S12.42-2010. A total of five samples were fitted to an acoustic test fixture two times each for a total of 10 trials per test level in both the passive and active test modes. All samples were tested at the nominal levels of 160 and 170 decibel peak (dBP, re: 20 Pa). The results revealed overall mean IPIL values at 160 dBP of 26.2 dB SPL in the passive test mode and 27.1 dB SPL in the active test mode. In response to the 170 dBP impulse, the calculated overall mean IPIL value was found to be 28.6 dB SPL in the passive mode and 29.0 dB SPL in the active mode. These results suggest that the ComTac III will adequately protect impulses below 68.6 dBP n the passive mode and below 169.0 dBP in the active mode.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 16, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1155301
Entities
People
- Alexa H. Kolias
- Derek W. Schwaller
- Jeremy S. Federman
- Natalie Silvia
- Stephanie J. Karch
Organizations
- Leidos
- Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory