Earplugs

[Rook]

I have seen a few guys with these clear earplugs with what looks to be some kind of filter in the centre. One guy said there should be info on the board in the mailroom, but looks like it's gone now. Can anyone suggest some good earplugs? Obviously my goal would be to block the ambient noise while keeping the radio and crew clear while the headsets are off. Thanks much and happy holidays!

[Ron & Edna Johns]

Why don't you guys at CX wear headsets above FL150 anyway? And noise-canceling ones at that?

I spent 5 years on QF B744's using regular headsets (before noise-canceling ones were installed). It has demonstrably damaged my hearing.

QF B744's all have noise-canceling headsets now and they are being installed on other fleets. The noise level on the B744 flight deck was demonstrated to be over the safe, long-term limit wrt hearing. That's why the new headsets were installed.

That you guys are flying B744 ULH sectors without any company-provided hearing protection astounds me. That you compound the problem by removing whatever headsets you are using beggars belief.

Rather than chasing after your own earplugs/protection, you should be insisting on installation of noise-canceling headsets and insisting on using them!

Once you get used to them you'd never do anything else.

[buggaluggs]

SAY WHAT???!!

ELACIN hearing protection not cheap, but they do the business.

I understand that ANR headsets come as standard on the new ERF's and we also have them fitted on some of the other freighters. When/if they'll appear on the rest of the fleet is anyone's guess, in the current economic climate, I'm not holding my breath!

As a side note, it appears ( at least to my unlearned eyes) that there's no legal requirement for the company to protect our hearing on the jet.

"This ordinance covers almost all workplaces - places where employees work. In addition to factories, construction sites and catering establishments, other places, such as offices, laboratories, shopping arcades, educational institutions also come under the ambit of the law. However, there are a few exception, namely

• an aircraft or vessel in a public place;
• the place occupied by the driver of a land transport vehicle when it is in a public place (but other employees working in the vehicle are covered);

Don't ya just love HK!!!?

Buggs out

[Truckmasters]

Recommend the Elacin product from personal experience.
In the 400 you put them in your ear in the climb and don't touch the volume's because the other person has the volume up so loud anyway to get over the wind noise. Some guys love the high speed climb (350knots), the noise is unbearable without plugs.

Ron and Edna
Here at CX, because they know better than the rest of the world. We remove the headset of the noise cancelling variety above F150. Why , "we didn't wear headsets on the tristar in the cruise"
Most of the 400 fleet only has normal headsets ie no inherent hearing protection either passive or active.

Buy the Elacin, you can get them in HKG. You'll thank yourself at your next medical.

[Gravox]

I remember seeing a notice on the crew board at work about these ear plugs.
Does anyone know of a doctor that can make the mould? Somewhere in DB comes to mind, and how much do they cost.

[Rook]

Thanks guys. Is there a specific Elacin product that anyone can recommend? There are a few models on there.
I also think we should be wearing ANR headsets the whole time in the seat. I don't know why we can't plug our own headsets in, then you could buy whatever suited you. I've always used ANR and it's been worth it at previous jobs. I have no intention of going deaf at this one!

[sisyphos]

Are there any models available that filter the bullsh!t from the left seat ??

[Jumbo93]

I am also interested in what model of ELACIN earplugs works best. I need to do something! If I don't, my wife might actually be correct when she accuses me of being deaf.

[buggaluggs]

I'm using Elacin ER FlexComfort . I used Island Health in DB to get the mold done, they will be able to give you advise on the best noise reduction rating.

Buggs

[Truckmasters]

Island Health in DB is the answer. I think there is also a clinic in Central but I can't remember the name.

I use the Flexcomfort ER 15

I'm fairly sure that is the normal model.
You can vary the filters but I reckon the 15 works well.
The lower noise over the ULH worth of cruise also affects your fatigue level in positive way.

[744drv]

Keep NCH On ...

... CX has no requirement to remove headsets in the climb. By choice I keep them on for the entire flight (744F). Some of the sets in use are better than others. The original design chosen to go 744 wide is no longer in production, I understand .... so procurement task in hand (when funds are available!)

[buggaluggs]

WRT the noise canceling headsets, I remember MH saying there is also a certification issue being dreamt up by the paper pushers in CAD. If I remember correctly they insist the headset is part of the aircrafts avionics fit, therefore must be certified in the aircraft type by the manufacturer (read; screeds of paperwork and piles of money!). Rather than part of the removable pilots equipment, as most authorities see it.

Imagine the frustration of getting most of the way through the certification process, only to discover the proposed headset is no longer in production and have to start again!

When flying the freighter I prefer to leave the ANR's on for the whole flight as well, although that obviously needs to be a crew decision, and I have seen a few of the older guys take exception to it.

[arse]

My own experience of the Elacin plugs is that they are not worth the several thousand HKD they cost.

I tried the Elacin ear plugs a few years ago. I ended up getting a set for working and for sleeping. I found the sleeping set were too hard and rather uncomfortable. I quickly went back to the orange business class plugs. I persisted with the working set for a few months but couldn't get use to them.

For any flight where I am in the seat for longer than a few hours I use a Sennheiser PXC250 active noise cancelling headset. Very good, ... but not for line checks!

[PatObrien]

Listen to me

Rook,
Sitting in any seat of any modern Boeing/Airbus without hearing protection will not make you deaf. Rip that damn headset off at 15 or 18K and feel liberated (if you can still understand the controllers through our High Def speaker system) - in that you now will have all those hours spent worrying about hearing loss available for redeploy on other pressing subjects. Yeah, if you stand next to the back end of a roaring jet engine for 30 min a day I'd be a little concerned - you want to make sure your ears don't (1) hurt, or (2) bleed. Those are considered bad. I don't think that'll happen on the flight deck (oops, sorry.... I mean cockpit). Been testing this theory for a while now - front row at multiple ACDC concerts, screaming wife, jet engines (all angles, some pretty damn loud, with and without earplugs). And whata you know, I heard a mouse fart the other day. I think it's all a big conspiracy by the hearing protection people to get us to buy more of their stuff.

Seriously, don't worry about it. If you are having noticible hearing loss it may due to something out of your control.

[leading_edge_device]

From my extensive experience and research on the sensitive subject of earplugs I have determined the following.......
This thread is way toooooo long for a simple question on an earplug.
Surely you must all have better things to do than give advice on someones ear health.
And finally.......
Here it comes......
insert left index finger into left ear
insert right index finger into right ear
and use your pinkies to pick your nose if it needs picking.
That way you are guaranteed to never loose your plugs in the future.

[GlueBall]

Just ordinary foam ear plugs will do the trick.

[LambOfGod]

I know you need to speak up on something like a 74 or 73 (economy passenger) but I never thought it was that bad... Even up the front, isn't it quieter at the front?

A380? I heard it's prety damn quiet, and if 744 pilots need hearing protection. A380 - Bring it on I guess...