UK military aircrew are being exposed to excessive noise levels, and noise exposure is increasing due to a number of factors. Noise levels need to be reduced not only to minimize hearing damage risk but to increase operational effectiveness by improving communications and reducing fatigue. Analogue ANR is now in service in a small but growing number of aircraft, and in many cases the performance of analogue ANR is sufficient to reduce noise exposure to an acceptable level. Assessment of the real-world performance of ANR has highlighted practical operational issues which can have a significant impact on noise exposure such as reducing radio volumes and having the ANR system powered when walking out to a running aircraft and taxying with canopy open. Additional performance is available both through optimizing the design of analogue ANR and utilizing digital control methods, particularly as the trend for aircraft-specific helmets allows attenuation to be tailored to specific noise conditions. Due to the cost of development, miniaturization and the process of flight clearance certification, it is likely that initially, digital ANR will only be adopted where absolutely necessary to meet a specific noise requirement, although future aircraft with software-based communication systems offer great scope for intelligent control of noise and communications at the ear. Potentially, active or passive earshells combined with a well fitting and secured active earplug should allow hearing protection attenuation to approach the 50 dB levels that will be required for aircrew and ground personnel in the next generation of aircraft.
Hearing protection for UK military aircrew
Gehörschutz für Flugzeugbesatzungen der Royal Air Force
2001
6 Seiten
Conference paper
English
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