title: Personal Active Noise Reduction with integrated Speech Communication devices: development and assessment.
abstract: Active noise reduction is a successful addition to passive eardefenders for improvement of the sound attenuation at low frequencies. Assessment methods are discussed, focused on subjective and objective attenuation measurements, stability, and on high noise level applications. Active noise reduction systems are suitable for integration with an intercom. For this purpose the intelligibility in combination with environmental noise is evaluated. Development of a system includes the acoustical design, the feedback amplifier, and the speech input facility. An example of such a development is discussed. Finally the performance of some commercial systems and a laboratory prototype are compared.
authors.affiliation: TNO Human Factors Research Institute, Soesterberg, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H. J.M.
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Steeneken