Ears and Light Aircraft
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: UK
Ears and Light Aircraft
Hi Everyone,
Never posted on this forum before so be gentle. I have a class 1 medical and am doing lots of flying at the mo. Just have a normal headset no ANR stuff on it. Just wondered how serious light aircraft noise can be??
Does anyone know of any cases where someone has lost a class one because of their ears and put it down to aircraft noise??
Any info would be great.
S
Never posted on this forum before so be gentle. I have a class 1 medical and am doing lots of flying at the mo. Just have a normal headset no ANR stuff on it. Just wondered how serious light aircraft noise can be??
Does anyone know of any cases where someone has lost a class one because of their ears and put it down to aircraft noise??
Any info would be great.
S
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 0
From: Neither Here Nor There
Squawk,
I'm testing a sound meter with full octave band analysis for work at the moment so a couple of hours running the meter in the cockpit sounds like a good experiment. However, the results will only tell the unprotected sound levels in the cockpit but knowing the Noise Reduction Rating of the headset will let us calculate the approximate exposure level at the ear.
It would help if I knew exactly which make and model of headset you are using as all models have differing NRRs.
The bottom line though is that no long term exposure to noise is good for you. Saying that, the NRR of the headset coupled with the relatively small amount of daily exposure should provide an adequate amount of protection to prevent long term damage.
But, as with all things medical, if you ever have any concerns, get yourself off to your GP and request an audiogram.
Best Regards,
2close
I'm testing a sound meter with full octave band analysis for work at the moment so a couple of hours running the meter in the cockpit sounds like a good experiment. However, the results will only tell the unprotected sound levels in the cockpit but knowing the Noise Reduction Rating of the headset will let us calculate the approximate exposure level at the ear.
It would help if I knew exactly which make and model of headset you are using as all models have differing NRRs.
The bottom line though is that no long term exposure to noise is good for you. Saying that, the NRR of the headset coupled with the relatively small amount of daily exposure should provide an adequate amount of protection to prevent long term damage.
But, as with all things medical, if you ever have any concerns, get yourself off to your GP and request an audiogram.
Best Regards,
2close
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: UK
Thanks 2Close. I’d be really interested in the results you get. I’m flying a light twin and using a Peltor 8006 headset which I think gives about 28 dB protection and has no ANR.
I am just coming up to over 350 hours TT so think if I was going to do any damage it will have already been done?? I do have a Class 1 and am I right in thinking the renewal test for hearing is not as strict as the initial??
I mean instructors that have 1000s of hours in light aircraft and seem to be ok… perhaps I’m worrying over nothing!!
S
I am just coming up to over 350 hours TT so think if I was going to do any damage it will have already been done?? I do have a Class 1 and am I right in thinking the renewal test for hearing is not as strict as the initial??
I mean instructors that have 1000s of hours in light aircraft and seem to be ok… perhaps I’m worrying over nothing!!
S
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 0
From: Neither Here Nor There
Squawk,
Many apologies for the delay but we have had numerous problems with the analysis software. All sorted now.
I conducted a test in a PA38 over 1.5 hours with the sound meter sitting unprotected in the cockpit whilst I flew a series of circuits (I figured this would produce the highest noise level over the limited time period, given the amount of full power operations).
Nedless to say, the unprotected noise level was above the threshold requiring hearing protection at 92.5dB(A) but 28 dB NRR protection would provide adequate protection.
If you or anyone would like to take a look at the detailed analysis file (MS Excel) I would be more than happy to send it on (with an obvious disclaimer). Sorry, I don't have a host at the moment to which I can provide a link.
And if anyone is going on a trip in a light twin and would like a similar analysis done, pro bono, I would be more than happy to come along.
Best Regards,
2close
Many apologies for the delay but we have had numerous problems with the analysis software. All sorted now.
I conducted a test in a PA38 over 1.5 hours with the sound meter sitting unprotected in the cockpit whilst I flew a series of circuits (I figured this would produce the highest noise level over the limited time period, given the amount of full power operations).
Nedless to say, the unprotected noise level was above the threshold requiring hearing protection at 92.5dB(A) but 28 dB NRR protection would provide adequate protection.
If you or anyone would like to take a look at the detailed analysis file (MS Excel) I would be more than happy to send it on (with an obvious disclaimer). Sorry, I don't have a host at the moment to which I can provide a link.
And if anyone is going on a trip in a light twin and would like a similar analysis done, pro bono, I would be more than happy to come along.
Best Regards,
2close
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 0
From: Neither Here Nor There
No problem, BM,
If you could PM me with an e-mail address I'll send the file on asap.
However, I'm going to be away from my PC until next Friday and my other half has the IT literacy of your average crane fly, so please bear with me.
2close
If you could PM me with an e-mail address I'll send the file on asap.
However, I'm going to be away from my PC until next Friday and my other half has the IT literacy of your average crane fly, so please bear with me.
2close
