Hearing damage

[newmei]

How many of you guys have hearing damage from hours and hours of flying? I can already tell that noise is wearing on me, thats why I just bought a ANR headset.

Thanks

 

[ArcherB]

I felt the same way, that my hearing was already starting to be damaged so I purchased an ANR headset and like it. I just don't know if it will significantly preserve my hearing. It's worth a try though!

 

[DC9stick]

Huh?

 

[DoinTime]

After years and years in the cockpit your ears will develop their own ANR. The good part is that you won't need any batteries. The bad part is that you can never turn it off.

 

[deskjobssuck]

What? I can't hear you. Turn up the intercom.

 

[Timebuilder]

What? Hearing cabbage? Why should I worry about hearing cabbage?

 

[Mammoth]

I always wear those foam earplugs before walking on the ramp. I think that helps, especially when the F-16's just happen to takeoff or a C421 comes in.

What kind of ANR did you get? I have DC 13.4X and I'm pleased with them.

 

[310]

say again

 

[Cardinal]

Thankfully, it seems the bigger the aircraft get the lower the interior noise level. A C150 felt like the inside of a coffee can.

While were on the subject, I just have to say this, cause it's been bugging me. Ya know those silly Thunder Washer things to rinse off your car? It's an "as seen on TV" gadget that connects your garden hose to a compressed air source and this assembly is supposed to be able to remove the toughest grime from your car. Well it doesn't. However it IS ferociously loud, (I presume to make you think it's working) - think G-II takeoff without the bass. An evening after using the thing for the first time I actually experienced tinnitus! The truck was still dirty and now I've forever said goodbye to a couple of loyal nerve endings. Sigh...

 

[Timebuilder]

Thanks, Fly!

I've been fearing cabbage since I was a kid.

Now, what's all this concern about natural racehorses?

 

[flaps30]

ANRs could damage hearing

Some studies have shown the white noise from the ANR will actually damage your hearing. I'll stick with the foam plugs.

 

[Timebuilder]

ANR was explained to me this way:

A small microphone samples the pitch and power (oops, that's another thread) or the frequency and amplitude of the environment, and shifts the phase of the sound to be placed opposite the original sound, causing cancellation within the ear cups. That means you have a net of SPL (sound pressure level) approaching zero.

So, even if the cancellation circuit uses a white noise generator as a part of its design, you are not exposed to a high SPL, which is what causes damage to your hearing in the first place.

 

[JediNein]

The real test of the ANR will be this weekend. 20+ hours in a CE-180. I'm bringing my DC's along for backup. I'll post Monday if the ANR works for me.
Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein

 

[Timebuilder]

Let me give you a taste.

I flew a Conquest a couple of years ago, and of course, it had those noisy Garrett engines. Luckily, it also had a set of Bose headsets. I had doubts as I put them on after startup, but those doubts were erased immediately.

All I heard was the clear voice of the other pilot, and every syllable of the ATC transmission. The engine noise was a very quiet, and pleaseant, sound in the background.

Now, if they could build this technology into a set the size of the lightweight Telex units, I could wear them in the Lear. My head is too close to the window for anything thicker than the Telex.

You'll love it.

 

[rightrudder]

Timebuilder,

Telex finally has made a lightweight anr headset. I think it is called the 850, it is light like the 750 but has anr and, best of all, requires no battery power. It obtains it's power from the aircraft.

The only place I have seen these is at www.marvgolden.com

I think once the UAL situation becomes more settled (and my job security) i'll purchase one.

 

[Timebuilder]

Thanks, what a bud!

 

[ifly4food]

WHAT? SPEAK UP, WE PROP TRASH DOWN HERE DIDN'T HEAR YOU.