%0 Journal Article
%T The effect of a headset leakage on speech intelligibility in helicopter noise
%J Aviation, space, and environmental medicine
%D 1996
%A Wagstaff, A. S.
%A Tvete, O.
%A Ludvigsen, B.
%V 67
%N 11
%P 1034-1038
%X INTRODUCTION: Speech intelligibility tests in recorded helicopter noise were performed on 10 subjects with normal hearing, using a Peltor aviation headset. The subjects acted as their own controls, a pair of sunglasses being the only variable factor. METHODS: Noise levels were also measured at the tympanic membrane in one of the test subjects for 7 consecutive fittings of the headset, with and without glasses. RESULTS: Results showed a substantial decrease in speech intelligibility when wearing glasses, being most marked for critical signal-to-noise ratios and the most difficult speech material. Changes were statistically highly significant. Average speech intelligibility scores decreased from 68% to 29% for one-syllable words when wearing glasses at critical signal-to-noise ratios. Noise measurements at the tympanic membrane in one subject showed a low-frequency leakage varying between consecutive fittings. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that even small leakages due to fitting of the headset or helmet should be avoided, particularly in noisy aircraft with communication-demanding mission profiles.<p /><p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Aerospace Medical Association
%@ 0095-6562
%U http://dx.doi.org/