Because the HME 46 headset sits "on" rather than "over" the ears, background noise can be an issue, so a recent modification was to fit larger ear pads.
This seems to have solved this issue
The large ear pads fall off. A lot. They don't fit the headsets properly.
The boom for the mic isn't long enough so it doesn't sit in front of my mouth. (could be my fat face though! 
)
Apart from that they are better than the old type.