Degradation of Auditory Localization Performance Due to Helmet Ear Coverage: The Effects of Normal Acoustic Reverberation

Abstract

Previous research has shown that listeners wearing the Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT) helmet performed worse than those wearing the Advanced Combat Helmet on sound localization tasks. The PASGT has greater coverage over the ears. However, these helmets also differ in their suspension systems and profiles. Three versions of a single helmet design, differing only in the ear coverage, were compared in this study. As ear coverage increased, localization performance decreased. Most of the change was due to increases in large errors (>25-deg). In addition, these effects were tested in both "ideal" laboratory acoustics and in a moderately reverberant environment. Moderate reverberation intensified the effects of ear coverage -- improving localization performance without a helmet and impairing it the most in the greatest ear coverage condition.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2009
Accession Number
ADA506629

Entities

People

  • Angélique A. Scharine

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acoustic Signals
  • Acoustics
  • Air Force
  • Degradation
  • Detection
  • Ear
  • Environment
  • Errors
  • Loudspeakers
  • Military Research
  • Neurobehavioral Manifestations
  • Research Facilities
  • Reverberation
  • Situational Awareness
  • Sound Pressure
  • Target Detection
  • Test Facilities

Readers

  • Auditory Neuroscience/Auditory Physiology.
  • Exercise and Sports Science.
  • Materials Science