Hearing problems and flying the S92

[Patientpilot]

S92

Hi all.

Ive started flying the 92 about 4 weeks ago, and after just 50 hours my right ear is constantly sore after flying 6-7 hours a day.
Im using a Bose A20.

I see on the topic it has been a while since the last post. Any new tips/Technology I can maybe try?
Really disappointed after wanting to fly offshore my whole career, and now that I finally got a 92 job the ear problem...

I dont mind getting a helmet if that will solve the problem. But dont want to invest +$2000 on a helmet and not solve the problem.

Your tips will be appreciated.

[Hot_LZ]

Set those A-20 aside! Absolutely no passive protection and the active element will not handle the S92. I used the A20 before I was issued a company headset many years ago and I could feel the mechanism jumping about inside.

You need to do research into a headset that can offer as much passive protection as possible. But from personal experience the problem isn’t the ‘noise’ but the shockwave that the advancing blade sends into the right side of the aircraft and cockpit. I would recommend a helmet but I understand that this can be financially restrictive for some people. Try and limit the noise entering the ear and the shockwave resonating through the skill bone. My 10 cents worth.

LZ

[tu154]

Agree on the Bose A20. Compared the A20 to the Peltor CH5 and went back to the CH5. Much better protection I felt with the CH5, though obviously subjective.

[helicrazi]

CH5 is pretty good, baseball cap helps a bit with it, much better with something on the skull.

[aa777888]

Not an S92 pilot, but I've been very impressed with the DC ONE X. The data sheet says 30dB at 150Hz with ANC turned on, and it's got enough passive protection that I've occasionally forgotten to turn on the active noise cancellation.

[Jimmy.]

After almost 3000h in 6 years flying the S-92 using a A20, I'm quite happy with them. But a few times (very few) I perceived in my right ear what could be the shockwave LZ described. Pressing the ear cuff a little bit and waiting some seconds tends to solve the problem in my experience.

[Nineteen84]

Can anyone confirm if any of the UK operators specifically forbid wearing a helmet? I read in an old post that Bristow did not allow helmets due to the perception from the pax

[Blackhawk9]

Something that was brought up at Heli Expo a couple of years ago , one of the Sikorsky engineers in the S-92 tech briefing was complaining various improvements asked for by users (Pilots/Engineers) after much development and cost were not being acquired by operators (Helo operators/lease Companies), one he mentioned was hush kits for the cockpit which drops cockpit noise by approx 20 dB, no operator had ordered them despite constant complaints from pilots world wide of the noise , maybe pilot unions need to push more for these improvements to be incorporated.

[bigglesbutler]

Whilst this won't affect the noise from sound hitting the head in I have "improved" on my headset somewhat. Caveat, this is not an advertisement for a manufacturer it is only my journey which has worked out well.

• I flew the 332 and 225 with the noise generators directly above my head.
• I bought a Lightspeed Zulu as the earcup material is supposedly made of Magnesium and thus more noise attenuating but I then decided to improve on this with a sheet of dynamat (car door insulation) and my HSE rep measured the sound and was shocked at how low the noise was.
• I also wear 9dB earplugs under my headset which reduces the high pitch hiss from ANR and avionics, they are moulded silicone plugs with inserts that can vary the noise attenuation. I recently found a small blob of blue tack clears the dirt off and returns the earplug to new clarity.

So ladies and Gents, your hearing is valuable please protect it, research and use products that will help you do so and innovate where needed.

Safe flights

Si

[Heliflyger]

Had my first flight back in the 92 yesterday after 11 years in 225 and 332 doing mostly SAR. Wearing a Gallet helmet with Bose anr combined with cep, it wasn’t as bad as I remembered..

[tu154]

Originally Posted by Nineteen84

Can anyone confirm if any of the UK operators specifically forbid wearing a helmet? I read in an old post that Bristow did not allow helmets due to the perception from the pax

I’m not aware of any of the aberdeen operators that permit use of a helmet other than for SAR. The excuse varies depending on the operator.

[Blackhawk9]

Originally Posted by tu154

I’m not aware of any of the aberdeen operators that permit use of a helmet other than for SAR. The excuse varies depending on the operator.

Thank god that doesn't apply in Australia, the operators here leave that up to the pilot, not enforce petty rules, probably 1/4 of the pilots I know wear helmets, mostly Alpha's but some Gentex and a couple of Gallet, headsets , Noise cancelling David Clarks with gel ear cups fitted to aircraft , most private head sets Bose and Lightspeed.

[Hot_LZ]

Originally Posted by tu154

I’m not aware of any of the aberdeen operators that permit use of a helmet other than for SAR. The excuse varies depending on the operator.

Cost - they fear that pilots will want the company to pay for helmets.

LZ

[SpindleBob]

I expect it is cost - The fear of pilots coming back to them in 20 years time saying that they've ruined our hearing and we weren't provided with good enough hearing protection. I can't see a cynical argument beyond that. We all know Dave Clarks are comfortable but rubbish. The early noise cancelling headsets made you feel better, but were letting all the damage through. I certainly don't want to be wearing a helmet for 7 hours - Tried one for a few flights and found it OK, but not very comfortable. And I cannot see any way that the noise attenuation would be as good as a modern headset.

I don't see conspiracy theories as helpful. Its probable that the operators just have to provide good quality hearing protection and I'm not particularly surprised if that Peltor headset is the best one they can find.