M *@*.* wrote:

Paul J. Adam
Built Up Areas, we aren't necessarily just fighting there) which means
a lot of voice communication: it's hard enough to hear shouted
commands from downstairs or around a corner as is, without ear plugs
in place. So, you risk ringing ears and partial HF deafness later on,
in order to keep control of your fireteam during the action.

Why on Earth aren't active (electronic) ear mufflers used
nowadays? Like many hunters and shooters have done for
quite some time.

[snip]

I assume you're talking about the Bose noise canceling headsets.

They could be good for that purpose, but not in all environments.

The regular headset costs $300. The aviation headset costs $1,000.

Cautions and Advisories:

From the Aviation Headset X Owner's Guide:
http://www.bose.com/controller;jsessionid=BviC3pLtj1xkevlZm7b8o4e9223Y aghwnSATt5v2E22zwc8dgVnj!-373760557!1879924776?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT &product=headsetx_headset_inthebox&linksource=prod uctnav_txt_inthebox&pageName=/home_entertainment/headphones_headsets/headsets/headset_x/features.jsp
(mind the wrap)
Click on 'Owner's Guide'.

For the Quiet Comfort headsets:
http://www.bose.com/controller;jsessionid=BviC3pLtj1xkevlZm7b8o4e9223Y aghwnSATt5v2E22zwc8dgVnj!-373760557!1879924776?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT &product=qc2_headphones_inthebox&linksource=produc tnav_txt_inthebox&pageName=/home_entertainment/headphones_headsets/headphones/qc2/photos.jsp
(mind the wrap)
Click on 'Owner's Guide'.

Both warn that familiar sounds may have an unfamiliar character when using
the headphones. Also, the Quiet Comfort Owner's Guide specifically warns
against using the headphones while driving on a public road or where the
inability to hear outside sounds may present a danger to the user or
others.

That said, I can easily see a use for the aviation headsets in aircraft,
tanks and other armored vehicles. I don't know whether training alone
would be enough for ground troops in all environments.

If you let some outside sound through, the system would have to be designed
to digitally filter the sounds of gun fire. It's possible - I've seen
audio noise reduction systems (dbx, IIRC) that effectively filtered only
the transient noise (clicks, pops, etc.) from vinyl recordings. The
question is would you want to do that if recognizing those sounds and being
able to place them in your field of hearing could be the difference between
life and death in a firefight? In that case, simple attenuation may be the
better solution.

Moreover, shouldn't practically all modern military helmets
be designed to be compatible with low-profile ear cups,
and vice versa? So why not use them?

Good idea for a basic field helmet.

Not only do electronic ear mufflers allow non-damaging
sounds to pass, but the amplification can be adjusted, so
that quiet sounds are enhanced. Coupled to a directonal
microphone (and especially with a parabolic antenna), even
very quiet sounds can be heard over considerable distances,
which could sometimes, in special circumstances, be useful.

Again, useful in some circumstances. Long-range surveillance, for example.

| George Ruch
| "Is there life in Clovis after Clovis Man?"