Hearing protection device testing system and method

A system for evaluating effectiveness of in-the-ear (ITE) hearing protection devices after insertion into ear canals of a user, comprising:

• a headband configured to extend around the head of the user;
• a circumaural earcup connected to each end portion of the headband and configured for positioning over an associated ear of the user;
• an ambient microphone associated with each ear cup and configured to generate signals responsive to ambient sound;
• an internal microphone positioned within each ear cup and configured to generate signals responsive to sound within a respective earcup;
• a speaker positioned within each ear cup and configured to generate sound responsive to at least one of a communication signal and the signal from a respective one of the ambient microphones;
• and
• at least one processor in communication with the ambient microphones, the internal microphones, and the speakers, the at least one processor programmed to:
• control the speakers to sequentially generate sound at each of a plurality of frequencies, the sound increasing in sound pressure level (SPL) at each of the plurality of frequencies until receiving a signal responsive to user input;
• store an SPL value for each of the plurality of frequencies associated with the signal from the user operable input in a memory accessible by the at least one processor;
• compare each stored SPL value to a corresponding reference value to determine associated difference values;
• and
• generate a signal indicative of effectiveness of the ITE hearing protection devices based on the difference values.