hearing and flight deck noise

rse · 17th Nov 2005, 12:44

All,

Anyone know the general noise levels on a modern flight deck? I'd have thought it was akin to a loud car on the motorway - will this not cause deterioration in hearing over 10 years threatening revalidation of a Class 1?

Do any aircrew wear earplugs just to attenuate the 'top end' of the volume level?

RSE.

Farty Flaps · 17th Nov 2005, 13:19

Say again i didnt catch that!

Professor Plum · 17th Nov 2005, 23:53

What?

Sorry,

You'll have to speak into my good ear!!

Loose rivets · 18th Nov 2005, 03:57

Perhaps lowering your tone a little would help me get the question.

I noticed tinnitus and hi frequency deafness starting after a hectic year training folk on turbo-props. I have always thought it to be too much of a coincidence to discount.

The white noise on jet transport aircraft seems to goes up exponentially above about +M.70 . I don't know of any relationship between the frequency of the ‘irritant noise' and the frequency band that it affects in the ear, though it does seem intuitively logical. The main problem seems to stem from the sheer power of the noise.

I wonder if years of wearing head-sets causes unhealthy sweating and resultant low level infections that take their toll.

rse · 18th Nov 2005, 09:29

Flap & Plum...that's the sound of predictability and lack of originality!

Ok, I mean - don't you find the flight deck a very noisy place and shouldn't we all take precautions to guard against hearing loss over the years?

construction workers, bar staff etc wear earplugs

RSE.

Farrell · 18th Nov 2005, 09:57

I have mild tinnitus that started just after I finsihed my ppl.
I even used ANR headsets......is it true though that ANR headsets only provide the illusion of a reduction in noise??

Professor Plum · 18th Nov 2005, 11:21

rse,

Sorry-I'd just come back from the pub (empty handed), and being the sad g1t I am, thought I'd have a gander on PPRuNe.

The revalidation requirements for the class 1 medical for hearing are less stringent (thereby allowing for a certain amount of deterioration in hearing).

The limits (from the CAA website) are:

Hearing Limits

Its interesting to note that they website says:

Quote:

However the hearing of experienced pilots at re-certification can be worse than the levels above, as JAR-FCL 3 Appendix 16 to Subparts B and C, paragraph 2 (b) states that: ‘If satisfactory hearing in a noise field corresponding to normal flight deck working conditions during all phases of flight can be demonstrated, recertification may be considered by the AMS (Aeromedical Section)’. This will usually take the form of a flight (real or simulated) with a training captain or instructor who reports that all tasks involving hearing were performed satisfactorily.

So even if you dont meet the revalidation requirements, it is still possible to retain your class 1.

Headsets etc will help reduce the amount of Noise induced hearing loss, but it looks like we'll all have to accept a level of hearing loss throughout our careers!

rse · 18th Nov 2005, 12:13

Ta Plum,

But surely the point is you needn't accept the gradual loss caused by a noisy working environment if you wear earplugs?

As a musician the little foam ones come in very handy - they bring the volume of anything down from 10 to 5 and still allow you to hear normal conversation. Though I suppose some naysayers will frown on this for the possibility of missing the r/t?

Surely H&S in the workplace means we're allowed to take the neccessary precautions to safeguard ourselves?

Professor Plum · 18th Nov 2005, 12:31

I see your point.

I seem to recall that 90db is an acceptable level of noise to be regularly exposed to as Pilots (although I stand to be corrected).

If you are exposed to noise greater than this, you should wear noise attenuatin headsets, or ear defenders if outside.

As for earplugs on the flightdeck, I think therre would be too much concern over missing r/t calls. Why not just wear a noice attenuating headset?

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