Maintainer Head and Hearing Protection

The U.S. Navy aircraft maintainer personnel need innovative, lightweight, head protection technologies that are compatible with recent advancements in single and double hearing protection devices. The current USN cranial system, worn by aircraft maintainers on the flight deck, was originally designed in the 1950's. During the past decades, jet aircraft engine noise levels have risen substantially. One result is that significant numbers of career Navy veterans have to apply for total hearing loss disability in their later years. The implication of exponential increases in yearly VA hearing loss claim amounts is that hearing protector attenuation values have not kept up with increases in jet engine sound levels. This Phase I program will initiate a formal process for design, development, and demonstration of new maintainer headgear that incorporates advancements in passive and active noise attenuation and communication technologies. Phase I goals will seek to develop advancements in numerous design metrics for the headgear that relate to: new anthropomorphic data for fit, user studies that define shape and comfort, easy integration of NVD and CBR equipment, improved maintainability and durability, product cost, and strict adherence to total daily exposure noise limits in noise fields up to 150 dB(A) SPL.