CEP-Communication Ear Protection
Join Date: May 2008
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John E, thanks for starting this thread.Being a newbie to flying, i didnt know such things existed. I bought a David Clarke ANR headset which i find a generally great piece of kit but was having trouble with doors off as some of you mentioned. Is a real hassle to fit the kit yourself?
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Bose and CEPs
Just took delivery of a shiny Bose headset.
Anyone out there managed to hook CEPs into the Bose? Would it void the warranty? Is it easy to do yourself or is a pro needed?
Anyone out there managed to hook CEPs into the Bose? Would it void the warranty? Is it easy to do yourself or is a pro needed?
Join Date: Jan 2008
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I use CEP with a Bose and find it very good. The Bose is great at removing low freq noise, but I would rate it as poor for hi freq. If you fly piston the Bose is fantastic. In the Puma types I fly there is a great deal of hi freq noise and have been advised after company tests not to use the Bose. Some others have even gone back to standard Peltors and leave the Bose at home!
Anyway I rate the CEP system very highly for hi freq noise reduction, combined with the Bose for the low freq, I believe this combination the best I have tried by a significant margin. Flying over 7hrs in a day used to give me a nasty headache, with any headset, not any more.
Downsides: Extra wires can be a pain, the earplugs can be tricky to fit properly.
Overall well worth the extra hassle, I did a short flight the other day with just the Bose and couldn’t believe how noisy it was.
I fitted the CEP myself and can give anyone a few pointers, but after the experience would recommend paying someone else for an easier live.
Hope this helps.
Anyway I rate the CEP system very highly for hi freq noise reduction, combined with the Bose for the low freq, I believe this combination the best I have tried by a significant margin. Flying over 7hrs in a day used to give me a nasty headache, with any headset, not any more.
Downsides: Extra wires can be a pain, the earplugs can be tricky to fit properly.
Overall well worth the extra hassle, I did a short flight the other day with just the Bose and couldn’t believe how noisy it was.
I fitted the CEP myself and can give anyone a few pointers, but after the experience would recommend paying someone else for an easier live.
Hope this helps.
Guest
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I gave Safety Equipment Technical Services a call yesterday as I need some new foam tips and also a new set of ear pieces. Unfortunately if the wire breaks close to the ear piece, it seems unrepairable. The prices he quoted me were more than double the prices quoted from the supplier in the States. So best to order from the supplier.
I find them a great asset in the back of the helicopters and now can't live without them.
I have made a repair to the broken ear piece by soldering an "in the ear" headphone off a normal personal stereo.
Eagle 86, have had the same problem with the male fitting, you just have to be gentle (unlike your keyboard pounding) when removing the plug.
I found a small plastic cable tie keeps it secure.
I find them a great asset in the back of the helicopters and now can't live without them.
I have made a repair to the broken ear piece by soldering an "in the ear" headphone off a normal personal stereo.
Eagle 86, have had the same problem with the male fitting, you just have to be gentle (unlike your keyboard pounding) when removing the plug.
I found a small plastic cable tie keeps it secure.
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which model CEP?
I've been on Communications & Ear Protection, Inc. but they only list CEPs for helmuts. Can these be used on Headsets?
Polar57 - Where did you get your CEPs from, and what model?
Polar57 - Where did you get your CEPs from, and what model?
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I've been on Communications & Ear Protection, Inc. but they only list CEPs for helmuts. Can these be used on Headsets?
Mmmmm......
You need to look a bit harder .... the kit you want is ... CEP900-104
Look under ... "special applications"
Cheers
Join Date: Jan 2008
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I got my CEP from www.cep-usa.com .They didn’t do online shopping with credit cards so had to send a money order, which worked out in the end.
Please don’t go drilling holes in the earcup of the Bose it will completely trash the headset and be costly to repair.
I spliced a wired headphone socket into the lead itself, above the coils. Then converted the CEP earphones to a standard mini plug (like ipod). So they just plug in. I put in a volume control as well to help get all the levels just right. (All purchased from maplin)
Doing it this way means less risk to the headset, if it all goes wrong you can buy a new Bose lead from BOSE® AVIATION HEADSET X from Aircraft Spruce Not cheap I know, but much less than a new headset if you decide to start drilling holes!
There are five wires if I remember correctly, If you look at the socket by the microphone it’s the middle two wires i.e. no 2 and 4, can’t remember the colours. I tested it listening to my ipod in the garden cutting grass before getting into an aircraft. It was all kept tidy with heat shrink tubing and cable ties, as I hate too many wires flapping about.
The result is simply great hearing protection that can be worn all day while maintaining good intercom and radio communication. I would highly recommend it if you work long hours in a very hi noise environment.
The only downsides are an extra couple of min getting setup, instead of just put on the headset and fly. Also the Bose has many great features, they do fall down when there is a fluctuation in air pressure, i.e. open windows and doors. After a couple of flights in a 212 in a desert environment it was straight back to Peltors.
I seemed to have rambled on for ages, not much else to do on standby, just want to say I have no connection with any of the company’s above.
Good luck if anyone does it let me know how it goes.
Please don’t go drilling holes in the earcup of the Bose it will completely trash the headset and be costly to repair.
I spliced a wired headphone socket into the lead itself, above the coils. Then converted the CEP earphones to a standard mini plug (like ipod). So they just plug in. I put in a volume control as well to help get all the levels just right. (All purchased from maplin)
Doing it this way means less risk to the headset, if it all goes wrong you can buy a new Bose lead from BOSE® AVIATION HEADSET X from Aircraft Spruce Not cheap I know, but much less than a new headset if you decide to start drilling holes!
There are five wires if I remember correctly, If you look at the socket by the microphone it’s the middle two wires i.e. no 2 and 4, can’t remember the colours. I tested it listening to my ipod in the garden cutting grass before getting into an aircraft. It was all kept tidy with heat shrink tubing and cable ties, as I hate too many wires flapping about.
The result is simply great hearing protection that can be worn all day while maintaining good intercom and radio communication. I would highly recommend it if you work long hours in a very hi noise environment.
The only downsides are an extra couple of min getting setup, instead of just put on the headset and fly. Also the Bose has many great features, they do fall down when there is a fluctuation in air pressure, i.e. open windows and doors. After a couple of flights in a 212 in a desert environment it was straight back to Peltors.
I seemed to have rambled on for ages, not much else to do on standby, just want to say I have no connection with any of the company’s above.
Good luck if anyone does it let me know how it goes.
Join Date: Oct 2007
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I'm a Yank helo type so I fly with CEP, they're fantastic. As mentioned, they take a bit of getting used to and I've had to do the extract the dislodged foamy with a needle nose pliers thing but overall, they're much better than the alternative.
Join Date: Feb 2008
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I have been using ceps for about two months now and find them excellent!
Previous concern about my decreasing hearing has gone.
Tiny problem if your other crewmembers or passengers are on conventional headsets/helmets, they often don't hear the radio you have now turned down, and will talk over incoming radio traffic.
Mine are custom-made (impossible to push in too far) by "Headset services" at Shoreham. u.k. tel: 01273234181
Initial ear moulds can be taken at any hearing-aid shop, (there are plenty out there, didn't see them myself until I started searching.)
Your helmet will need to be adapted though.
For anyone who has hearing that is very close to the limits during their medical this is worth the cost and effort.
Clado
Previous concern about my decreasing hearing has gone.
Tiny problem if your other crewmembers or passengers are on conventional headsets/helmets, they often don't hear the radio you have now turned down, and will talk over incoming radio traffic.
Mine are custom-made (impossible to push in too far) by "Headset services" at Shoreham. u.k. tel: 01273234181
Initial ear moulds can be taken at any hearing-aid shop, (there are plenty out there, didn't see them myself until I started searching.)
Your helmet will need to be adapted though.
For anyone who has hearing that is very close to the limits during their medical this is worth the cost and effort.
Clado
Join Date: Mar 2009
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CEPs work great...one minor modification
I strongley recommend getting rid of C.E.P.'s OEM"foam" tips provided with the kit. Instead, order 5-pairs of triple-flange rubber inner-ear plugs from www.Etymotic.com Etymotic's replacement tips are excellent - durable, seal the ear canal perfectly, do not wear out, are washable, and basically work about 1,000x better than C.E.P.'s goofy & very uncomfortable foam tips.
Buy a C.E.P. system - BUT definitely get rid of CEPs foam ear tips.
Buy a C.E.P. system - BUT definitely get rid of CEPs foam ear tips.
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 9th Mar 2009 at 07:30. Reason: One link to Etymotics is enough: 5 is pushing your luck!
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I don't agree that the foam eartips are goofy or uncomfortable. In addition, the NRR is about twice as high as for the Etymotic earplugs, which are very low. My only complaint about the foam eartips supplied with CEPs is the expense. I use standard disposable foam earplugs with plastic tubing inserted, which works well for me and is very cheap. I have triple-flange silicone tips, but I don't like them as well as the foam eartips.
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Gomer Pylot - I agree, the foam earplugs are superior. Especially in warm climates where the rubber and silicon earplugs get sweaty and promote ear infections.
Yes foam tips are expensive but if kept clean can last well over 50 hours.
Yes foam tips are expensive but if kept clean can last well over 50 hours.
Hi folks,
Can anyone suggest a UK or European supplier for CEP. I have it installed in my Gallet and am very happy with it. However the earcups are pushing them into my ear causing alot of discomfort. Am wanting to try the "mini" CEP plugs to see if they make a difference before changing the headset to ANR.
Many thanks,
TiP
Can anyone suggest a UK or European supplier for CEP. I have it installed in my Gallet and am very happy with it. However the earcups are pushing them into my ear causing alot of discomfort. Am wanting to try the "mini" CEP plugs to see if they make a difference before changing the headset to ANR.
Many thanks,
TiP
Join Date: Jan 2007
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CEP's
Hi All
I have used CEP's now for 2 years and find them excellent for protection and radio reception
Recently tried new Bose A20 but when used with silicone noise reducers in my ear I had to turn up the radio quite a lot --- I wasn't overly impressed enough to convert helmet to the Bose system
I suggested to our company supplier that the Bose A20 and CEP combination might be worth a try but they were dismissive of that
saying they were not compatable (maybe they thought it would be too much work involved--I don't know)
Recently some of our guys have tried fitting the CEP's into the moulded
earpieces as others have discribed above but to date all feed back from the pilots who have tried them are negative
They have reverted back to the standard foam inserts supplied with the CEP's, reason being that silicone didn't provide a good enough seal in the ear
So this has put me off doing the same
I have had wires break on some of my CEP's along with a few plugs wearing to the point of intermittent comms loss which required replacing with new CEP's, but on balance I would not change them for anything else on the market today.
In our company all sorts of headsets/helmets and combinations have/are being tried and there is no one system that works for all,
Gallet hemets along with CEP's fitted are popular and Helmets fitted with Bose A20 close behind
Hope this info is useful to someone out there
PV
Flying the S92 so I need as much protection as I can get
I have used CEP's now for 2 years and find them excellent for protection and radio reception
Recently tried new Bose A20 but when used with silicone noise reducers in my ear I had to turn up the radio quite a lot --- I wasn't overly impressed enough to convert helmet to the Bose system
I suggested to our company supplier that the Bose A20 and CEP combination might be worth a try but they were dismissive of that
saying they were not compatable (maybe they thought it would be too much work involved--I don't know)
Recently some of our guys have tried fitting the CEP's into the moulded
earpieces as others have discribed above but to date all feed back from the pilots who have tried them are negative
They have reverted back to the standard foam inserts supplied with the CEP's, reason being that silicone didn't provide a good enough seal in the ear
So this has put me off doing the same
I have had wires break on some of my CEP's along with a few plugs wearing to the point of intermittent comms loss which required replacing with new CEP's, but on balance I would not change them for anything else on the market today.
In our company all sorts of headsets/helmets and combinations have/are being tried and there is no one system that works for all,
Gallet hemets along with CEP's fitted are popular and Helmets fitted with Bose A20 close behind
Hope this info is useful to someone out there
PV
Flying the S92 so I need as much protection as I can get
Last edited by Paddyviking; 6th Sep 2011 at 20:42.
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Recently tried new Bose A20 but when used with silicone noise reducers in my ear I had to turn up the radio quite a lot[..]
Did the sound lack in clarity or why is it a problem to turn up the radio if using earplugs?
Join Date: Jan 2007
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Not sure of the technical name for them but it is the moulded ones that can reduce the noise at different frequencies by the required decibel level.
By turning up the radio to compensate for the reduction by the moulded earpieces are you not increasing the noise/energy level very close to your eardrum. Seems like you counter the protection you get by increasing the noise level entering your ear !!
Everytime I enter the cockpit after somebody using standard foam or ER25's with or without ANR,I have to turn down the volume settings which are usually very high (almost full in some cases)-----all that noise/energy in your ear no matter what protection you use cannot be good at such close range to your eardrum IMHO
And yes sound clarity in the CEP's is clearer than anything else I have tried while the foam provides good passive protection
regards
PV
By turning up the radio to compensate for the reduction by the moulded earpieces are you not increasing the noise/energy level very close to your eardrum. Seems like you counter the protection you get by increasing the noise level entering your ear !!
Everytime I enter the cockpit after somebody using standard foam or ER25's with or without ANR,I have to turn down the volume settings which are usually very high (almost full in some cases)-----all that noise/energy in your ear no matter what protection you use cannot be good at such close range to your eardrum IMHO
And yes sound clarity in the CEP's is clearer than anything else I have tried while the foam provides good passive protection
regards
PV
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I have a Gallet fitted with ANR of which I have had a few issues with the ANR of late plus the standard issues of batteries going flat (always at the wrong time when you are fully hands on). Following some reviewing, I have decided to add a CEP kit to the existing ANR. From reviewing, it appears that this can be done meaning I can use both ANR & CEP, or one or the other. Benefit being for doors off operations where I find the high pressure changes from rotor downwash can distort and work the ANR overtime, sometimes making communication difficult. Being able to use CEP only will mean I still have good ear protection if ANR off and maintain excellent intercom/radio inteligence. I know some that simply use ordinary old ear plugs and turn up the master volume but I find the clarity of voice transmissions is reduced greatly. I am keen to see how this goes as don't know of anyone with both systems so will update post once I have tested and tried the CEP on the ANR... If anyone has already done this to an ANR system, keen to hear your thoughts?