Anyone tried any of the "in-ear" headsets?
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Anyone tried any of the "in-ear" headsets?
I currently fly piston twins and my DC's (13.4) are giving me headaches (and the gel seals are bursting too often). I'm considering splurging out and buying a Bose.
However, recently I have seen adverts for "in-ear" headsets which look ideal, but I am very apprehensive on purchasing one without any feedback from anyone who has tried one. They are not cheap!
Clarity Aloft™ Aviation Headsets
Lightspeed Aviation - ANR, Passive and In-the-ear pilot headsets - MACH 1
index
There are probably a few other brands available.
However, recently I have seen adverts for "in-ear" headsets which look ideal, but I am very apprehensive on purchasing one without any feedback from anyone who has tried one. They are not cheap!
Clarity Aloft™ Aviation Headsets
Lightspeed Aviation - ANR, Passive and In-the-ear pilot headsets - MACH 1
index
There are probably a few other brands available.
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Hi Victa
I have the Clarity Aloft headset and find them great. They take a little getting used too, I got them because I like to wear sunnies but hated the pressure that that normal headsets they put on my head. Very good sound quality and has an mp3 input which works great. If you don't mind wearing earplugs then I'd recommend them.
Trolley
I have the Clarity Aloft headset and find them great. They take a little getting used too, I got them because I like to wear sunnies but hated the pressure that that normal headsets they put on my head. Very good sound quality and has an mp3 input which works great. If you don't mind wearing earplugs then I'd recommend them.
Trolley
They look good, but how do you propose to keep that huge amount of noise out you get in a piston twin?
I fly turbo-prop's and the noise is bad enough with my noise attenuation off, let alone if I had nothing covering the ears to keep noise out!
Just my opinion.
morno
I fly turbo-prop's and the noise is bad enough with my noise attenuation off, let alone if I had nothing covering the ears to keep noise out!
Just my opinion.
morno
Bottums Up
Victa,
I used a DC H10-80 for years on light turbines, DH8 & 146. Then went to a Bose X on the 146. Both were good but the Bose was fantastic.
On the 717, with no intercom, I now use a Plantronics MS250. It's a single ear muff that sits on one's ear, not covering it entirely like a DC or the Bose. I tried the MS200 but didn't like putting an earpiece inside my ear canal.
I wouldn't use the Plantronics with any of the turbo-props or pistons I've flown, as they have minimal noise attenuation properties. From my limited experience with different headset makes, I'd think one would need an ear covering type to offer sound (pardon the pun) hearing protection.
I used a DC H10-80 for years on light turbines, DH8 & 146. Then went to a Bose X on the 146. Both were good but the Bose was fantastic.
On the 717, with no intercom, I now use a Plantronics MS250. It's a single ear muff that sits on one's ear, not covering it entirely like a DC or the Bose. I tried the MS200 but didn't like putting an earpiece inside my ear canal.
I wouldn't use the Plantronics with any of the turbo-props or pistons I've flown, as they have minimal noise attenuation properties. From my limited experience with different headset makes, I'd think one would need an ear covering type to offer sound (pardon the pun) hearing protection.
A mate of mine is a sound engineer and tells me that In-ear is the industry standard in the live music environment.
He is also a student pilot... and we are yet to try his theory in flight
He is also a student pilot... and we are yet to try his theory in flight
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Horatio
A mate of mine is a sound engineer and tells me that In-ear is the industry standard in the live music environment.
Just taking a quick look at the photo's of some types on the web, they appear to be a simple/standard ear plug with a 'hearing aid' speaker inside (not moulded).. Sounds good, but not sure how they would hold up to Piston work..
I've used Bose Noise X in flying and ear monitors for mixing audio performances, but its 2 different worlds still - if you ask me!
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i have used light speed in a light twin.. noise wasn't that big deal... but i would still say that its not a good option to go for.. bose is way way better.. and i had the same problem with sunnies.. but with bose the problem was greatly reduced.. i was using DC before that...and i think bose use to have some scheme to purchase that on monthly EMi's check that out too...
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my favourite subject currently...
morno, dave, horatio:
The noise reduction achieved with either neoprene or best still, custom moulded in-ear set is superior to headsets when properly made and fitted. The issues with headsets and noise reduction ratio is laws of physics-ie, you need a lot of mass to stop sound transmission. Then there are further complications that affect sound transmission, eg the microphone boom can be source of noise itself by inducing vibration to the headset, etc. That is why the good passive ones are usually not the lightest. Bose and Zulus provide ANR circuitry to compensate for eliminating the weight. Try turning the ANR off on the Bose and notice how at some frequencies resonate like an empty cavity and actually feel uncomfortably louder.
The in-ears provide an airtight seal to the ear drum. This is the first and most important step to achieving isolation. The second is the fact the cross sectional area of isolation-the ear canal is MUCH smaller than the area a headset has to cover-ie, a headset has to provide equal isolation, say 20db NRR at all points on its surface. That surface is approximately say 13000mm2 compared to an area of 100mm2 for the in-ear device. Thus the mass required to attenuate the SPL at the ear drum is much smaller and the attenuation is much more efficient.
You remove further complications with headsets such as bone conduction, pressure on the skull, cauliflower ears effect (my own technical term), neck strain due to additional weight and consequently additional fatigue (both aural and physical) and the benefits of in-ears are a no brainer. Dave is right in that the systems used in music and broadcast are very high end. Once you get used to wearing them they feel completely natural and very comfortable.
In-ears HAVE to be moulded to your ears. Otherwise it is just an ear plug (though a properly sized neoprene ones perform very well). You end up with your own personal set of headsets for most of your life. Nobody else will touch them. You can use the space saved in your headset bag for other useful things-you really-need without cramming it.
The T-Bone is good but for speech only. I imagine it is especially good for those hard of hearing Forget music through these. Intelligibility only, and very good at it.
The only difference between the headset and the in-ear regarding actual use is pilot acceptance-we are accustomed to wearing headsets and headphones but not sticking things into our ears. There is room for both-some will not like the headset, some will not like the in-ear. Same in music-not all performers like or accept wearing in-ear monitors, in fact they often find it provides so much isolation from the world around them they can't perform properly or connect with the audience. For a performer, that can be as good as a bullet in the head, for a pilot it might be the ability to hear an ATC instruction through crackling radio that might just save his life.
sc
morno, dave, horatio:
The noise reduction achieved with either neoprene or best still, custom moulded in-ear set is superior to headsets when properly made and fitted. The issues with headsets and noise reduction ratio is laws of physics-ie, you need a lot of mass to stop sound transmission. Then there are further complications that affect sound transmission, eg the microphone boom can be source of noise itself by inducing vibration to the headset, etc. That is why the good passive ones are usually not the lightest. Bose and Zulus provide ANR circuitry to compensate for eliminating the weight. Try turning the ANR off on the Bose and notice how at some frequencies resonate like an empty cavity and actually feel uncomfortably louder.
The in-ears provide an airtight seal to the ear drum. This is the first and most important step to achieving isolation. The second is the fact the cross sectional area of isolation-the ear canal is MUCH smaller than the area a headset has to cover-ie, a headset has to provide equal isolation, say 20db NRR at all points on its surface. That surface is approximately say 13000mm2 compared to an area of 100mm2 for the in-ear device. Thus the mass required to attenuate the SPL at the ear drum is much smaller and the attenuation is much more efficient.
You remove further complications with headsets such as bone conduction, pressure on the skull, cauliflower ears effect (my own technical term), neck strain due to additional weight and consequently additional fatigue (both aural and physical) and the benefits of in-ears are a no brainer. Dave is right in that the systems used in music and broadcast are very high end. Once you get used to wearing them they feel completely natural and very comfortable.
In-ears HAVE to be moulded to your ears. Otherwise it is just an ear plug (though a properly sized neoprene ones perform very well). You end up with your own personal set of headsets for most of your life. Nobody else will touch them. You can use the space saved in your headset bag for other useful things-you really-need without cramming it.
The T-Bone is good but for speech only. I imagine it is especially good for those hard of hearing
Forget music through these. Intelligibility only, and very good at it.The only difference between the headset and the in-ear regarding actual use is pilot acceptance-we are accustomed to wearing headsets and headphones but not sticking things into our ears. There is room for both-some will not like the headset, some will not like the in-ear. Same in music-not all performers like or accept wearing in-ear monitors, in fact they often find it provides so much isolation from the world around them they can't perform properly or connect with the audience. For a performer, that can be as good as a bullet in the head, for a pilot it might be the ability to hear an ATC instruction through crackling radio that might just save his life.
sc
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What ever you choose - from personal experience and suffering:
1. Get the very best that money can buy
2. Ensure maximum hearing protection - both passive and active
I have high frequency hearing damage from flying heavy jets. In addition the tinitus (buzzing in the ears) never goes away - which can made sleeping difficult at times - not to mention the difficulty of having a conversation in a crowded room.
I have at least around 25 years of flying left until retirement. I am not the only one - there are plenty more like me.
Protect your hearing first - look cool second.
1. Get the very best that money can buy
2. Ensure maximum hearing protection - both passive and active
I have high frequency hearing damage from flying heavy jets. In addition the tinitus (buzzing in the ears) never goes away - which can made sleeping difficult at times - not to mention the difficulty of having a conversation in a crowded room.
I have at least around 25 years of flying left until retirement. I am not the only one - there are plenty more like me.
Protect your hearing first - look cool second.
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After finding this site (I think someone posted it on here once) I made my own...
Using:
Pros:
- Has better noise reduction than my normal headset, a Pilot Avionics PA11-60 with DC Gel seals. Proper fitting of the earphones is essential! They claim NRR of 29dB.
- About 8 trillion times more comfortable, no head clamp, no hot spot on my head, no sweaty ears, sunglasses not a problem etc.
- Cheap if you have the know how and bits and pieces
Cons:
- Wire Jungle
- Bit fiddly to put on
- Not as good as a set of Zulu's
Other builders:
http://www.cozy1200.com/geeklog/arti...70427102533266
DIY in-ear ANR headset - VAF Forums
In ear headset - a cheap project - VAF Forums
I Made My Own ANR In-the-ear Headset! — Tech Ops Forum | Airliners.net
Using:
- Hearing Components NR-10 earphones
- Mic Boom and GA Plugs from Old Telex Airman 750
- Wire
- Heatshrink Tubing
Pros:
- Has better noise reduction than my normal headset, a Pilot Avionics PA11-60 with DC Gel seals. Proper fitting of the earphones is essential! They claim NRR of 29dB.
- About 8 trillion times more comfortable, no head clamp, no hot spot on my head, no sweaty ears, sunglasses not a problem etc.
- Cheap if you have the know how and bits and pieces
Cons:
- Wire Jungle
- Bit fiddly to put on
- Not as good as a set of Zulu's
Other builders:
http://www.cozy1200.com/geeklog/arti...70427102533266
DIY in-ear ANR headset - VAF Forums
In ear headset - a cheap project - VAF Forums
I Made My Own ANR In-the-ear Headset! — Tech Ops Forum | Airliners.net
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VK2
I also use the QT Halo's and have found them to be awesome. You can get custom ear inserts made locally but I've found the standard foam ones work fine for me. But then everyone's ears are different! I did find in the beginning that it took a bit of practice to get them set up and in properly. This is vital because no matter how good they are, they simplly won't work properly or will feel uncomfortable if not seated correctly. You'll find a 'system' that works well and then it'll become habit and they pop strait in. My 'system' consists of rolling the foam between the fingers until its quite narrow, using opposite hand 'over the head' to pull the top of my ear back and then twist the plug in, they quickly expand and bob's your uncle. On long trips, nothing compares, sorry to say but even bose's don't for mine. You get to the other end with cool, unsweaty ears, no 'vice clamp syndrome', no noise hangover and they stow in tiny places.
Reason I tried them initially was because I'm fairly tall and I kept bumping my head on the roof/canopy with 'normal' headsets, with these I gain around an inch of headroom and can even wear a cap and sunnies together in total comfort!
The Halos are a tad different to others in that they don't have the speakers on the earpiece but rather they're back on the brace and sound travels down an accoustic sound tube and thru the earplug. This means no wires to get damaged in those sections thru heavy use either. One grip I have with them is the mic boom, its a tad short and even though it utilises a stage quality mic, its directional and has to be 'pointed' at the right spot, together with the short mic, this means you might have to practice speaking out the side of your mouth ala stallone. However, the mic quality is awesome. The designer is the same guy who designed the clarity aloft sets and then left to do his own, he's a hearing aid specialist and pilot.
Not a bad option for less than 300 bucks, I hear the aeros guys are loving em for obvious reasons!
I also use the QT Halo's and have found them to be awesome. You can get custom ear inserts made locally but I've found the standard foam ones work fine for me. But then everyone's ears are different! I did find in the beginning that it took a bit of practice to get them set up and in properly. This is vital because no matter how good they are, they simplly won't work properly or will feel uncomfortable if not seated correctly. You'll find a 'system' that works well and then it'll become habit and they pop strait in. My 'system' consists of rolling the foam between the fingers until its quite narrow, using opposite hand 'over the head' to pull the top of my ear back and then twist the plug in, they quickly expand and bob's your uncle. On long trips, nothing compares, sorry to say but even bose's don't for mine. You get to the other end with cool, unsweaty ears, no 'vice clamp syndrome', no noise hangover and they stow in tiny places.
Reason I tried them initially was because I'm fairly tall and I kept bumping my head on the roof/canopy with 'normal' headsets, with these I gain around an inch of headroom and can even wear a cap and sunnies together in total comfort!
The Halos are a tad different to others in that they don't have the speakers on the earpiece but rather they're back on the brace and sound travels down an accoustic sound tube and thru the earplug. This means no wires to get damaged in those sections thru heavy use either. One grip I have with them is the mic boom, its a tad short and even though it utilises a stage quality mic, its directional and has to be 'pointed' at the right spot, together with the short mic, this means you might have to practice speaking out the side of your mouth ala stallone. However, the mic quality is awesome. The designer is the same guy who designed the clarity aloft sets and then left to do his own, he's a hearing aid specialist and pilot.
Not a bad option for less than 300 bucks, I hear the aeros guys are loving em for obvious reasons!
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A group of us are looking at a bulk order of Mach 1 headsets from the states, we fly on Dash/Braz/Metro/Saab, could anyone please give us feed back on this type of headset in those particular aircraft and how does it work with sunglasses on, is it uncomfortable.
Many thanks in advance.
FB
Many thanks in advance.
FB
Sprocket Check,
Thanks for that. Did not know they were that good. I just had images of things in your ears, but still not doing much to block the noise out.
Cheers
morno
Thanks for that. Did not know they were that good. I just had images of things in your ears, but still not doing much to block the noise out.
Cheers
morno
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FB777, I own a pair of Mach 1's and have done about 130 hours with them, mainly in small piston singles and choppers.
I've had custom ear plugs made by my audiologist (about $170), which didn't do as much as I thought they would for attenuation, but they're a bit easier to fit and less irritating after long flights than the supplied cylindrical plugs.
In terms of comfort, the Mach 1 beats any dome type headset by a mile. Yes, the plugs do become a slight nuisance at the end of a long flight, especially on a hot day, but I would still rate a mild itch in the ear much less irritating than sweaty ears and hair, let alone the possible headache and fatigue from the clamping force. I sometimes just take the plugs out for a second one by one and give the plug and the ear a good rub, which seems to get rid of the (again, mild) irritation, which only ever bothers me on hot days towards the end of flights of more than three or four hours.
The Mach 1's don't at all interfere with glasses, you don't really notice the arm that holds the mic boom in place over the left ear at all, mainly because of the negligible weight of the unit. I have to wear glasses while flying, and the temples of my glasses are, at about 4mm width, probably wider than a lot of pilots' sunglasses'.
On the performance side, I have no complaints, the sound is excellent even in noisy cockpits.
The only gripe I have with them is that they don't come with ANR, and as such cannot go as far in terms of quieting down the cockpit noises as the top ANR headsets. If there was a standalone ANR box that I could connect to my aeroplane, I would probably buy it straight away, and this would increase my rating from an overall 8/10 to a 9/10.
For a 10/10, Lightspeed would have to find a way to fix the custom earplugs to the mic boom so the plug doesn't rotate in the fitting (which means one could get rid of the arm holding it in place; I've tried and failed with velcro -- unit's too small to make it hold -- and glue), and they'd have to fit ANR (like this: http://www.sound-innovations.net/ace.php) and Bluetooth for the phone/ipod connection.
If anyone knows of standalone ANR units, please post it here or PM me.
I've had custom ear plugs made by my audiologist (about $170), which didn't do as much as I thought they would for attenuation, but they're a bit easier to fit and less irritating after long flights than the supplied cylindrical plugs.
In terms of comfort, the Mach 1 beats any dome type headset by a mile. Yes, the plugs do become a slight nuisance at the end of a long flight, especially on a hot day, but I would still rate a mild itch in the ear much less irritating than sweaty ears and hair, let alone the possible headache and fatigue from the clamping force. I sometimes just take the plugs out for a second one by one and give the plug and the ear a good rub, which seems to get rid of the (again, mild) irritation, which only ever bothers me on hot days towards the end of flights of more than three or four hours.
The Mach 1's don't at all interfere with glasses, you don't really notice the arm that holds the mic boom in place over the left ear at all, mainly because of the negligible weight of the unit. I have to wear glasses while flying, and the temples of my glasses are, at about 4mm width, probably wider than a lot of pilots' sunglasses'.
On the performance side, I have no complaints, the sound is excellent even in noisy cockpits.
The only gripe I have with them is that they don't come with ANR, and as such cannot go as far in terms of quieting down the cockpit noises as the top ANR headsets. If there was a standalone ANR box that I could connect to my aeroplane, I would probably buy it straight away, and this would increase my rating from an overall 8/10 to a 9/10.
For a 10/10, Lightspeed would have to find a way to fix the custom earplugs to the mic boom so the plug doesn't rotate in the fitting (which means one could get rid of the arm holding it in place; I've tried and failed with velcro -- unit's too small to make it hold -- and glue), and they'd have to fit ANR (like this: http://www.sound-innovations.net/ace.php) and Bluetooth for the phone/ipod connection.
If anyone knows of standalone ANR units, please post it here or PM me.
Last edited by PlankBlender; 25th Nov 2008 at 06:27. Reason: schpellin
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I am working on an in-ear ANR solution currently and have a prototype in testing, though yet to be tried in an aircraft.
ANR in in-ears will be more effective and better sounding than ANR in clamshells. Primarily due to the complex shape and sound source distances involved in clams.
I'd have them ready, but I am doing too much all at once-ratings and endos, aerial vision acquisition and moving house.
For me it is about comfort and quality, not the cool. I know too many people with tinitus - some to the point they cannot be subjected to any level above normal speech without experiencing pain.
HCP- yes, it is fairly simple to make your own, good on you for doing it. I was brought up as a Dick Smith kid-back when he actually ran the stores himself and didn't meddle in reforming aviation, for better or worse. I will probably to a kit once ready that should be really simple.
ANR in in-ears will be more effective and better sounding than ANR in clamshells. Primarily due to the complex shape and sound source distances involved in clams.
I'd have them ready, but I am doing too much all at once-ratings and endos, aerial vision acquisition and moving house.
For me it is about comfort and quality, not the cool. I know too many people with tinitus - some to the point they cannot be subjected to any level above normal speech without experiencing pain.
HCP- yes, it is fairly simple to make your own, good on you for doing it. I was brought up as a Dick Smith kid-back when he actually ran the stores himself and didn't meddle in reforming aviation, for better or worse. I will probably to a kit once ready that should be really simple.
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The posts here gave me a rare brain wave yesterday 
I remembered I had that Sennheiser 'NoiseGard' headset lying around that I rarely ever use nowadays, it's great at blocking out most of the background noise in large airports and on long haul flights, most effective on those low frequencies that damage the sound receptors in our ears the most..
The Sennheiser's ANR circuitry and the microphone to pick up the ambient noise seem to be contained in the battery box, so what I'll do is replace the actual headset with a headset socket, and then see if that does the trick if I plug the Mach 1 in.
I'll post experiences here, if it does perform well in the air then making any in-ear headset into an ANR in-ear would simply involve a few minutes' soldering
I remembered I had that Sennheiser 'NoiseGard' headset lying around that I rarely ever use nowadays, it's great at blocking out most of the background noise in large airports and on long haul flights, most effective on those low frequencies that damage the sound receptors in our ears the most..
The Sennheiser's ANR circuitry and the microphone to pick up the ambient noise seem to be contained in the battery box, so what I'll do is replace the actual headset with a headset socket, and then see if that does the trick if I plug the Mach 1 in.
I'll post experiences here, if it does perform well in the air then making any in-ear headset into an ANR in-ear would simply involve a few minutes' soldering
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Originally Posted by Sprocket Check
I am working on an in-ear ANR solution currently and have a prototype in testing, though yet to be tried in an aircraft.
...
HCP- yes, it is fairly simple to make your own, good on you for doing it. I was brought up as a Dick Smith kid-back when he actually ran the stores himself and didn't meddle in reforming aviation, for better or worse. I will probably to a kit once ready that should be really simple.
...
HCP- yes, it is fairly simple to make your own, good on you for doing it. I was brought up as a Dick Smith kid-back when he actually ran the stores himself and didn't meddle in reforming aviation, for better or worse. I will probably to a kit once ready that should be really simple.
must be getting old
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PlankBlender-
Yes, it will work. How well will depend on the ANR tuning in the Sennheiser box. It will also greatly depend on the distance of the box from your ears. The ideal is to have the ANR microphone as close as possible to your ears.
sc
Yes, it will work. How well will depend on the ANR tuning in the Sennheiser box. It will also greatly depend on the distance of the box from your ears. The ideal is to have the ANR microphone as close as possible to your ears.
sc