Evaluation of Variants of 3M Peltor ComTAC Tactical Communication and Protection System (TCAPS) Headsets: Measures of Hearing Protection and Auditory Performance

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA590869 | Open PDF

Abstract:

The auditory effects of the 3M Peltor ComTAC III Accessory Rail Connector ARC and the 3M Peltor ComTAC IV Hybrid headsets were compared to the 3M Peltor ComTAC III. Passive and active attenuation were measured in two steady-state noise levels 85 and 105 dB A and three microphone settings off, low, and high. When the noise level was 85 dB A, and the microphones were set to high, the systems provided approximately 20 dB of amplification. However, at 105 dB A, and the microphones off, attenuation was equivalent to that of passive attenuation. The devices provided attenuation of impulsive noise 154 dB peak exceeding 25 dB for all measured settings. Of the three types of eartips available for the ComTAC IV, the skull screw style eartips provided the most impulsive noise attenuation. Auditory localization performance was measured for 12 listeners while wearing the ComTAC systems in combination with two Ops-Core FAST helmets ballistic and lightweight carbon. There were fewer front-to-back localization errors when wearing the lightweight carbon helmet than when wearing the ballistic helmet but there was no significant difference between the ComTAC systems in their effect on localization performance.

Author(s):
Scharine, Angelique A. ; Weatherless, Rachel A.
Author Organization(s):
ARMY RESEARCH LAB ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND MD HUMAN RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING DIRECTORATE
Descriptive Note:
Final rept. Feb 2013
Supplementary Note:
The original document contains color images.
Pagination:
0038

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
ARL-TR-6667
Monitor Series:
ARL/HRED
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_1.3.2_Personnel Management
Communities of Interest:
Biomedical
Descriptor(s):
*AUDITORY ACUITY, *EAR PROTECTORS, ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE, COVARIANCE, HELMETS, LOUDSPEAKERS, NOISE, NOISE REDUCTION, SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, STEADY STATE
Field(s)/Group(s):
Anatomy and Physiology, Acoustics, Protective Equipment
Keyword(s):
AUDITORY LOCALIZATION, HEARING PROTECTION, *TCAPS(TACTICAL AND COMMUNICATIONS PROTECTIVE SYSTEM), *HEADSETS, STEADY STATE NOISE ATTENUATION, FP(FOAM EARPLUGS), ACH(ADVANCED COMBAT HELMETS), ANCOVA(ANALYSES OF COVARIANCE), ANOVA(ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE), ARC(ACCESSORY RAIL CONNECTORS), ATF(AUDITORY TEST FIXTURES), EAR(ENVIRONMENT FOR AUDITORY RESEARCH), FAST(FUTURE ASSAULT SHELL TECHNOLOGY), HL(HL HEARING LEVEL), NRR(NOISE REDUCTION RATING), PINS(PNEUMATIC IMPULSE NOISE SOURCES)
Report Date:
2013 Sep 01
Creation Date:
2014 Jan 15