1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to the field of hearing protection. More particularly, the invention pertains to hearing protectors having talk-through capability.
2. Description of Related Art
Talk-through listening systems typically comprise hearing protection devices (i.e. earplugs, headsets, helmets) with microphones mounted on their outside surface. The microphones convert sound pressure levels (SPLs) to an electrical signal. The electrical signals are amplified and used to drive audio transducers such as speakers in headphones, helmets, or earplugs or the like. Electronic automatic gain control and limiting devices ensure that the SPL generated in the canals of the user are kept within safe levels. In this way, the user can monitor sound in a high-SPL environment at safe SPLs.
One example of such an environment is the flight deck of aircraft carriers. Aircraft maintainers need to service aircraft under extremely high noise conditions. However, they need to be aware of their surroundings and must communicate to each other. The maintainers must know if a vehicle or plane is approaching from areas outside of their view. For this, they use acoustic cues. Moreover, the maintainers often need to communicate with each other face-to-face in high acoustic noise, without the use of radios.