Abstract: A system and method for converting a passive protector earmuff to a communication and/or active noise reduction (ANR) headset include mounting active components to a frame subassembly configured for insertion into the passive earcup to divide the earcup volume into a front cavity without additional passive leak paths and a back cavity having a volume that improves speaker/driver power efficiency with a resistive vent to atmosphere. An earcup having an external shell includes a frame configured for positioning within the external shell and having a first support adapted to contact an interior of the shell and a second circumferential support cooperating with a seal to contact an ear seal plate of the earcup to form the front and back cavities. The frame may support a speaker between the front and back cavity, and secure circuitry within the back cavity.

Abstract: An adjustable sensor mount and associated headset that may include a band with circumaural earcups and cushions may be configured to position a sensor forward of the tragus of a user. The headset may include a speaker, a microphone, and a controller. The mount may include a base configured for sliding engagement with the cushion and a sensor holder secured to the base and configured to receive the sensor. The base may be made of a generally C-shaped resilient plastic or metal material. The holder may be pivotably secured and/or slide relative to the base. The holder may include a support arm that slides and/or pivots relative to the base and receives a housing adapted to secure the sensor. The housing may slide and/or rotate relative to the support arm, and may have an elastomeric covering. Sensor signals may be processed to provide a gating signal for the microphone.

Abstract: A headset includes a circumaural assembly having an adjustable sensor mount configured to secure a sensor forward of the tragus of a user. The mount is movable relative to the assembly to position the sensor in contact with or proximal to the user skin. The mount may extend from an interior side or flat component of the assembly into an opening of a circumaural cushion. The sensor mount may include a resilient support arm or structure extending from behind a circumaural cushion, or integrated into the cushion, to urge the sensor into contact with the user. The mount may include a spring-biased rotatable knob having an eccentrically located aperture configured to secure the sensor, and rotatable to position the sensor. Sensor signals may be processed to detect blood flow, heart rate, etc. and/or movement, such as jaw movement indicative of talking for use in automatically muting an associated microphone.

Abstract: A helmet includes a shell configured to extend over ears of a user with integrated acoustic ear cups or ear phones that can be positioned and pressure adjusted while the helmet is in use. An adjustment mechanism connected to each ear cup includes a portion extending through an aperture in the helmet shell to facilitate movement of the ear cup using the portion extending through the shell. The adjustment mechanism may be used to move the ear cups between a retracted position to facilitate donning and removal of the helmet and a user adjustable deployed position with user adjustable side pressure to facilitate sealing and comfort for passive or active noise reduction (ANR).

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive active noise reduction measure the acoustic response for each user to adaptively adjust and customize the ANR operation using adaptive filters to correct for any differences between the measured response and a targeted response. The system and method of various embodiments incorporate a closed loop control system with a feedforward input. The acoustic measurement and adaptation procedure is performed to adapt or tune at least one of the closed loop and feedforward control loops to provide adaptive ANR customized for each user and current ambient environment.

Abstract: An active-noise-reduction (ANR) headset includes at least one auxiliary connection to an output of at least one device, such as a personal communications, computing, and/or entertainment device. An exemplary headset also includes a primary connection to a two-way radio or public-address system and circuitry for automatically suppressing or muting the volume of an auxiliary input signal relative to that of a primary input signal. Other exemplary features include a headset power supply, a microphone, a microphone preamplifier, and a device-detection circuit. The device-detection circuit selectively couples the power supply to the microphone preamplifier, enabling it to provide audio signals to the microphone input of the auxiliary device.