Performance Assessment of Active Hearing Protection Devices

Abstract

Active electronic hearing protection devices are designed for those who want to maintain natural hearing while protecting their ears from impulse and continuous loud noises like gunfire, explosions, vehicles, and machinery. There are potential advantages for this technology in military applications, provided an accurate and complete assessment of the performance has been obtained. Five active hearing protection devices were assessed for: continuous noise attenuation, impulsive peak insertion loss, sound localization, auditory detection, and subjective comfort. The expected ambient noise environment and the task to be performed should be considered when selecting a hearing protection device.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 08, 2015
Accession Number
ADA623590

Entities

People

  • Billy J. Swayne
  • Eric R. Thompson
  • Hilary L. Gallagher
  • Melissa A. Theis
  • Richard L. McKinley

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acoustics
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Ambient Noise
  • Attenuation
  • Detection
  • Ear
  • Electronics
  • Environment
  • Explosives
  • Hearing Protection
  • Insertion Loss
  • Losses
  • Military Applications
  • Military Personnel
  • Noise
  • Situational Awareness

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Auditory Neuroscience/Auditory Physiology.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems