Evaluating the Over‐all Acoustical Performance of Flight Helmets and Headsets Free

The objective of this study was to obtain data which would be helpful in developing a standardized test procedure for evaluating Navy flight helmets and headsets with respect to both noise attenuation and the reception of auditory signals. Masked threshold measurements for pure tones and speech, and intelligibility measurements in noise, were obtained from subjects wearing various helmets and headsets while in a noise field of 100 dB. In addition, tape recordings were obtained of intelligibility word lists presented to a manikin head fitted with the same flight helmets and headsets while situated in the noise field. These recordings were then presented to groups of listeners. Data obtained for the various helmets and headsets are presented and discussed.