Comparison of Speech Intelligibility Characteristics for Earcups Intended for Use in the SPH-4 Helmet

摘要

Studies at USAARL have demonstrated significant problems with impact protection in the area of the earcup of the SPH-4 aviator helmet. Efforts to develop a crushable earcup that will attenuate impact have resulted in development of two candidate earcups. This study compares the speech intelligibility (the ability of the aviator to understand oral communication) characteristics of the two prototypes to those of the standard SPH-4 earcup and a proposed replacement earcup identified as the MK-12564. The results indicate that both crushable cups will provide speech intelligibility equal to or better than the standard cup. Keywords: Voice communications. (Author)