Finding a perfect "fit": Wing participates in further test of custom earpiece wear and use

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Sherri Savant
  • 917th Wing Public Affairs
Barksdale AFB, La --  Approximately 160 Wing personnel, aircrew and maintainers, were fitted for custom earpieces Feb. 1-4 at the 917th Medical Squadron. 

Personnel from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, visited the Wing to not only “fit” more personnel, but to also collect noise data in both the B-52 and A-10 aircraft. Technicians at Brooks AFB, Texas, will use the noise data to establish requirements for noise protection equipment to shield Air Force personnel from potential hearing loss. 

“By measuring the different environments (A-10 and B-52 cockpits), we’ll be able to better understand what types of solutions are better suited to particular aircraft,” said John Hall, AFRL Human Effectiveness Science and Technology lead for acoustic signal control. 

The reaction of the B-52 community has been extremely positive, according to Mr. Hall.
“A-10 pilots who have worn the new earpieces have said it takes a few sorties to get accustomed to the ‘feel’ of the earpiece and different types of noise, said Lt. Col. Chris Rounds, 917th Standardization/Evaluation B-52 branch chief. “Some pilots have chosen to return to using the current helmet speakers.” 

“It’s expected that we’ll have people who will love it and others who will have mixed feelings,” Mr. Hall said. “And it’s good to talk to people who have these difficulties, because we can find out what they’re looking for in a device and develop systems to accommodate them.” 

For Tech. Sgt. James Spencer, 917th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron B-52 crew chief, the earpieces are a welcomed improvement. 

“I’m really glad the Air Force is doing this,” he said. “You want to be able to do something you like to do for 20 or 30 years, and your job could be cut short due to hearing loss.”
“I’m getting to the age where I need to think about preserving my hearing,” he said. “It only takes one time out there (on the flight line) to ruin your hearing for good if you’re careless.” 

Protection and communication clarity are two key advantages to this new technology, according to Lt. Col. Mickra King, AFRL clinical audiologist. 

“They (maintenance) can hear the pilots, and they don’t get the noise,” she said. “Pilots who have used them remark how they understand so much clearer. Their volumes are lower, so when they complete their flights, they don’t experience the ringing as a result of loud communication coming in.” 

The bottom line, according to Colonel King, is users have the “best hearing protection they can get in a custom plug with communication directly in it.” This is unlike before, she said, when they (aircrew and maintenance personnel) had “foamies” in their ears causing them to drive their communication dials up to overcome their hearing protection.