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99jolegg
3rd Mar 2009, 18:27
Hi all,

I'm using a generic Pooley's headset with some Serengetti sunglasses and when I wear them both, I get a lot of pain where the ear muff part presses the sunglass arm against my head giving me headaches. It is ok for about 20 minutes but then it gets too much of an ache so I end up taking the sunglasses off...obviously not good for the eyes.

Has anyone else had this problem? Did a change of headset to a lightweight one, help?

Thanks

Pace
3rd Mar 2009, 18:49
99Joelegg

Yes that is a common problem without sunglasses never mind with them.

many headsets are clampers and I am sure cut off the blood supply around that portion of your head.

Add the metal from the sunglasses????

I always used DCs and found them uncomfortable after a short time then I changed to Bose and never looked back. I know they are expensive but change to Bose.

I have used Bose in both twin props and jets that I fly. You can wear them all day without discomfort.

The other ones which have been good are the very small telex. They are suitable and used extensively in jets but not sure how good they would be in piston props.

Pace

Flintstone
3rd Mar 2009, 19:03
Tried my Bose noise cancelling ('jet') headset in a light single once and to be honest they weren't great. Might be better with cup-type ear pieces but I'd say stick with a 'full' headset with some decent gel ear cushions which mould around the sunglass arm rather than press it into the head. I always found the most painful point was just behind the ear where the plastic end sat.

Swopped to a pair with a light plastic frame and lenses with straight arms and that made a big difference.

jxc
3rd Mar 2009, 19:12
Try

clarity aloft

I have a pair and they are great with my Serengetti's

Cheers

Zulu Alpha
3rd Mar 2009, 19:30
Second vote for the clarity Aloft.

Absolutely brilliant and better noise reduction than Bose or David Clarke ANRs.

They look a bit strange at first but they work brilliantly.

ZA

IO540
3rd Mar 2009, 19:32
Yes, one has to use glasses with very thin side pieces. Only a very small % of frames in the shop are any good, for this reason. The flashy ones (Oakleys etc) are crap due to this reason.

However, sadly, most headsets are crap for long flights. Even £500 Dave Clarkes do one's head in after several hours, due to the high pressure. Bose X is the best - I've had them since 2002. People pay the obscene price for a good reason. The Lightspeed Zulu gets very good comparisons but I have not work one long term.

modelman
3rd Mar 2009, 20:14
These any good to spread the pressure?

http://www.davidclark.com/store/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=62

MM

RTN11
3rd Mar 2009, 20:45
I have some ray bans with thin metal frames. They don't cause any trouble with the david clarke headset. Flown 40 hours this month with no headache.

Gav28
3rd Mar 2009, 20:53
I have some ray bans with thin metal frames. They don't cause any trouble with the david clarke headset. Flown 40 hours this month with no headache.

I'd second that.
Used to do Oakleys with some cheapish headsets and was in pain within 15mins. Now using some thin metal raybands with dave clarkes and is much better. Still if i'm flying for 2-3 hours it starts to ache a bit but much better than before. It will do me until i can afford some Bose x.

ChampChump
3rd Mar 2009, 21:22
Flown 40 hours this month with no headache.

Just out of a perverse interest and concern for your welfare, did you mean last month? :)

RTN11
3rd Mar 2009, 21:24
Ah yes, the change of the month crept up on me.

Perhaps I should've said in the last 30 days.

BackPacker
3rd Mar 2009, 22:20
And if the previous advice didn't work, get your Night Rating.:ok:

djpil
3rd Mar 2009, 22:54
Zurich sunglasses come with an optional headband designed to wear with a headset (http://www.zurichsunglasses.com/AboutUs/tech.htm). For those like me who wear prescription glasses there is the original Zurich which simply goes over the top. (I have used their lifetime breakage warranty on a pair that I had for over 10 years).

99jolegg
4th Mar 2009, 04:16
Thanks all, I think I might have a look at another headset for starters...I hear Sennheiser have a good range too?

Not sure how much to spend, though...

BroomstickPilot
4th Mar 2009, 05:49
Hi 99jolegg,

I would suggest getting your sun glasses sorted first.

Go to a good optician with a decent range rather than a pilot shop. Tell the optician you want to wear the sunglasses under a pilot's headset. Look for some with a thin metal frame. An optician will also be able to exchange the earpiece arm cover pads, either for thinner ones, or for extra soft silicone-rubber ones. They may also be willing to bend the arms for you to follow the sides of your head.

Then attend to your headset. I agree the Bose is superb; I have a pair (because I'm a fanatic,) but they do cost a fortune. You do not need to spend that sort of money. Go somewhere where there is a good range of different manufacturers' headsets. Again, in view of the fact that you have had a problem, I would suggest going to a specialist supplier rather than a pilot shop. Look in the magazines to find them.

On choosing a new headset, aggree with the supplier that you should be permitted to take your new headset home and wear it around the house for a couple of hours. If it proves painful you can then return it and try another.

Good luck!

Broomstick.

rich_g85
4th Mar 2009, 09:04
Another sufferer of 'headset head' here, but I find the pain I get is right on the top of my head, under the band of the headset.

I wore my new Ray Ban 'Cockpit' shades on Saturday and had no problem with them under a standard Pooleys headset.

Edit: I'm looking at buying the Sennheiser HME 95 when I've done a few more hours - any opinions on this one?

znww5
4th Mar 2009, 11:57
You can buy inserts which go on the legs of the glasses. They are supposed to spread the clamping load of the headset and avoid the pressure point where the glasses press against your head - maybe somebody on here has tried these and can comment further?

I've used the Sennheiser HME100 passive headset (with the 'second edition' soft earcups) in a PA-28 for about 3 years and never had a problem. My glasses have 3mm diameter legs and I always got headaches with DC gear due to the high clamping pressure, but it very much depends on the shape of your head. I'd recommend that if you are buying another headset, go to one of the shops and take a very long time trying them on.

If you 'get on' with passive David Clarkes, Peltor or Pilot, you could always have an ANR conversion done at a later stage - this costs about £180 and reviews of such modifications have been very good.

Headsets are very personal things which need to fit properly, so don't go buying Sennheiser because I say they are great - or DC's coz others think they are the best bet. Look for weight, clamping pressure, comfort and quality then choose which set is best for you.

Good luck!

b.a. Baracus
4th Mar 2009, 15:43
I had the same problem a while ago. I bought a cheap and nasty headset which in hindsight was a total waste of money. The headband would dig into the top of my head and on any flight over an hour it would start to get painful. Also the legs of the sunglasses would dig into the side of my head. I found that putting on the sunglasses first and then the headset was a big help, instead of the other wat around.

In the end I ditched the headset and got myself a pair of David Clark's, I have never looked back. The sunglasses are still going strong.

windowseatplease
4th Mar 2009, 20:10
I used to have this problem. I switched to a different pair of sunglasses, that have very thin "arms". Problem solved!

flyingfemme
5th Mar 2009, 17:23
If the budget is no problem then BoseX will improve every situation. It's cheaper to get new sunglasses first.

I use Silhouette Titans with a headset and recommend them totally. The arms are incredibly slim and very flexible; the whole thing is light. You won't know they are on (apart from the darkening). Wearing them for 14 hours a day has not given me a headache :ok:

Dark Helmet
6th Mar 2009, 09:59
Could anyone tell me if the Clarity Aloft sets are OK in a typical GA aircraft (Cessna 152 - 172, PA28 etc)?
I know they are expensive but Mrs DH starts to feel sick after a bit of time wearing the normal David Clark headsets. I think it is the pressure of them around the temple region. She likes to fly but this problem is becoming a nuisance.

Thanks.

jxc
6th Mar 2009, 14:20
Clarity aloft no problem in 172 or robins or piper arrow I have a set and love them I only fly GA

Cheers

Zulu Alpha
6th Mar 2009, 17:44
Clarity Aloft work in all GA aircraft with the normal double plug setup.

One nice thing is the audio input which uses a std IPOD connector. So the user can listen to their favourite music.

I haven't found anyone who has tried them who doesn't like them.

The only problem is the price which is around £400.

ZA

IO540
6th Mar 2009, 20:21
I tried the Lightspeed Mach1 (a very similar idea to the Clarity) and found that it was liable to work loose and then one obviously got a massive amount of noise getting in.

Apparently this is a known issue unless one gets custom made earplugs for it.

I sold mine on U.S. Ebay (they were in short supply then) and stuck with the bose-x.

Have to say though that the M1 had the best mike I have ever used. Fantastic clarity.

Dark Helmet
7th Mar 2009, 15:47
jxc, ZA and IO540

Thanks for the info. I need to seriously look into them now.

DavidHoul52
7th Mar 2009, 16:22
I have the Sennheiser HME 95 headset and am very happy with it. I wear tinted prescription bifocals which could be more comfortable - though I've not noticed the discomfort whilst flying. Their is a feeling of relief when I take the headset off, so obviously it's not perfect.

Much better than the DC one's one gets issued with at flying schools IMO.

jxc
7th Mar 2009, 17:15
I am only In sudbury possibly not to far from you or I could meet you at earls colne and you could try them ( of course with new ear tips on them ! )

let me know

AC-DC
8th Mar 2009, 21:16
Another vote for clarity aloft. My wife used to suffer with all other brands of headsets, since she got Clarity Aloft she is happy. I tried them once and found them very good. Higly recommended.

IO540
8th Mar 2009, 22:25
I think these in-ear headsets are very good for passengers, especially female ones, because they don't mess-up one's hair, and if the thing falls out (partially or wholly) because the cable got sat on, etc, then it doesn't matter because the wearer can just push it back it.

However I found it hard to use because unless one took great care of the cable, the thing did occassionally partially come out, and this could happen right when one is busy with ATC etc.

jxc
9th Mar 2009, 08:53
never had mine fall out of my ears

jez d
9th Mar 2009, 17:25
99jolegg

Stick with the Serengetis - they are absolutely the last word in sunnies, IMHO. The tint on the lenses of trendy Raybans and the like are added on after the lens has been made. Serengeti's lenses, on the other hand, are tinted as they're made, which provides an altogether superior result. I've used all sorts in the past and nothing has got close to the quality of the Serengetis.

rich g85

I'd be careful about the Sennhesier HME95. It's a nice headset but the passive noise attenuation is pretty low - it's designed for quiet cockpits, not noisy spamcans, so depending on what type you fly you may want to consider headsets with better passive noise attenuation capabilities.

Both of you

If you're getting headaches after a short period of time then it's likely that the headset you're wearing is not right for the shape of your heads. Try the David Clark 'Stop Gap' cushions by all means (although these don't work on ANR headsets which require a complete seal round the ear), but you'll probably be better off visiting a pilot shop and trying on a few different headset styles. Some pilot shops (AFE at Oxford airport springs to mind), let you trial them on a local flight if you've flown in to visit them.

For my head, the David Clark 13.4 is the most comfortable passive headset, and the Lightspeed Zulu the most comfortable ANR headset - but everyone is different.

Cheers

jez

Dark Helmet
10th Mar 2009, 08:25
jxc,
Thanks for the very generous offer. Mrs DH is actually going to see her GP about the problem as it also hurts if she just presses gently around her temples and forehead. I fly out of Duxford so I am sure we can work something out.

anneeoo9
12th Apr 2009, 18:13
Hi, you can try wearing only earphones rather than head phone like there are one's for ipod. You can even buy the new Oakley Sunglasses (http://www.sunglassesuk.com/Oakley_Sunglasses.asp) that come with the MP3 player attached with them. That's a really a good alternative. However if you like to keep your Fendi Sunglasses (http://www.sunglassesuk.com/Fendi_Sunglasses.asp) , then those earphones are the best solution.

SueStaples
4th Jun 2019, 10:29
I also faced this problem and my optician suggest me to change the sunglasses and now I am wearing a prescriptive sunglasses.

VP-F__
13th Jun 2019, 00:52
One simple fix is to just sit the frames lightly into the top of your headset, there is enough friction to hold light sunglasses (eg rayban) in place. I have a pair of glasses for flying only that I bent the sides up at about 45° so that the glasses would sit correctly while perched in the top of the headset. This alleviates all pressure and doesn’t interfere with how the headset cushions are supposed to work.

Shoestring Flyer
14th Jun 2019, 07:11
The sun doesn't shine enough in the UK to wear sunglasses. I never wear them, ever!

clareprop
14th Jun 2019, 10:12
A common problem easily solved by purchasing an ex-RAF Crash Helmet with integrated headphones, throat-mic and visor. Think what a dash you'd cut as well.........:p


Running away......:O

flyingfemme
14th Jun 2019, 11:39
I find that Clarity Aloft and sunglasses don't work too well - the combination hurt the tops of my ears. Maybe it's because I have a tiny head. You can always use the old fallback of a baseball hat............

TheOddOne
14th Jun 2019, 17:35
Re wearing eye protection.

A friend of mine had an accident in a PA28. The windscreen broke into shards of Perspex and he had multiple small cuts on his face. The prescription glasses he was wearing were also damaged. He assesses that if he hadn't been wearing glasses, then he might well have lost the sight of at least one eye. He was a licenced aircraft engineer and a very experienced pilot. The lesson? In a light aircraft, ALWAYS wear some form of eyewear. clareprop above has a bit of a tongue-in-cheek look at what the military wear. They don't wear all that to look cool, but to protect themselves from injury.

Now, anyone over 40 probably needs to wear some form of eyesight correction whilst flying. Even if their distance vision is still good, then their close vision will have lost its 'accommodation' as the lens muscles seize up. My advice to them is NOT to wear half-moon specs but to invest in varifocals with no correction in the upper part, grading down to a reading prescription in the lower part. Of course, your medical will require you to carry a spare pair. Why not choose a second pair with a tint for brighter days? I've been wearing varifocals for flying for 25 years and at my age can still read a map, the instruments and spot traffic miles away without having bits of spectacle frame in the way. (A new lens in one eye helps a lot, too!)
I find many people who had good vision in their youth are 'in denial' about wearing specs, thinking they're somehow geeky and not cool. Get over it.
I appreciate the issue about spectacle side frames and headsets, I suffered with this when I first started. I now choose titanium frames that are extremely thin and frameless lenses and don't notice them at all under my Lightspeed Sierra.

Re headgear.
The pilots who concern themselves most with lookout fly gliders. They've developed the 'beany' hat which whilst keeping the worst of the sun off your head (they are invariably white) permit unobstructed vision as far as possible. So-called baseball caps and the like with a pronounced peak do nothing for your lookout. Beany hats look a bit silly and wearers of baseball caps think they look good (not my opinion!) but in the cockpit, what matters more, being able to avoid traffic or thinking yourself 'with it'?



TOO

Flyingmac
15th Jun 2019, 07:32
wearers of baseball caps think they look good (not my opinion!) but in the cockpit, what matters more, being able to avoid traffic or thinking yourself 'with it'?


Never thought of myself as a poser. Hey-ho. Tip for baseball cap wearers. Nip out the stud which can be pressed into your noggin by the headset band. The hat won't fall apart.