Respirator mask speech enhancement apparatus and method

A respirator mask comprising:

• a mask body configured to define a clean air envelope between the mask and the mouth and nose of wearer;
• speech enhancement apparatus comprising:
• a microphone configured for attachment to the mask body, the microphone further configured to detect acoustic energy within the clean air envelope when attached to the mask body;
• a speaker configured to produce acoustic energy outside of the clean air envelope;
• a controller operably connected to the speaker and the microphone, wherein the controller is configured to:
• receive a speech signal from the microphone, wherein the speech signal is indicative of acoustic energy detected by the microphone within a first frequency range;
• and
• deliver an output signal to the speaker, wherein the output signal is configured to cause the speaker to emit compensating acoustic energy, wherein the compensating acoustic energy is emitted in one or more predetermined attenuated frequency ranges that cover less than all of the first frequency range, and wherein the compensating acoustic energy comprises a predetermined attenuated amplitude profile over each predetermined attenuated frequency range of the one or more predetermined attenuated frequency ranges.