Abstract
The spectral and temporal response characteristics of five models of electroacoustic earmuffs (Bilsom 707 Impact II, Peltor Tactical 6s, Howard Leight Lightning and Thunder w/ProEars, and Silencio Electronic Low Pro hearing protectors) were measured with noise created by small arms fire from a 0.223 caliber rifle and a 9 mm handgun. Each hearing protector was tested in the fully-amplified (active) and no amplification (passive) conditions. The protectors were measured on an acoustic test fixture designed for high-level noise measurements. The protected and unprotected signals were recorded to digital audio tape and analyzed off-line. The reduction of peak sound pressure levels ranged between 16 and 32 dB for both the active and passive conditions. The time-averaged acoustic waveforms underneath the protectors exhibited little difference between active and passive conditions. The active electroacoustic performance approaches the passive attenuation performance. Auditory damage units were calculated for the unprotected and protected responses using the AHAAH cochlear model [Price and Kalb, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 90, 219–227 (1991)].
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