Personal 'Hearing' issues in Helicopters (Aviation)
 

Having been a Pilot / Instructor / Examiner in aviation, both helicopters and fixed wing, for the last 40 years I have been fortunate to still have good hearing.
I am in now my final year of retraining, qualified pre-reg as a Hearing Aid Audiologist.
I would like to 'research' any hearing issues that have affected you whilst flying.
Do you suffer from tinnitus? Did you always wear hearing protection etc.

I've been flying for just over 40 years. I always wear hearing protection. I have occasional brief periods of tinnitus, but it's not chronic or serious. I think it mostly occurs after being in a loud environment where I have no hearing protection. This happens now and then in restaurants, where the noise level is far too loud, but almost never during or after flying.

Tinnitus Hidden Threat
 

Hello

There are many Hazards in aviation, but Tinnitus is generally Ignored, and many people suffer this insidious disease or symptom. Its deeply related with hyperacusis.
Noise cancelling headphones and ear plugs are necessary, and that bad practice of starting engines without wearing hearing protection, avoided.
Loss of license insurance dont cover tinnitus as a loss of licence cause, because they know the numbers.

45 years of flying
 

I use earplugs and muffs/headsets for the last 3 decades.
Hearing still pretty good except right ear, which I think was damaged by muzzle blast energy (shooting), occurred before current earplug designs. No tinnitus.

Them ears
 

A little over 40 years handling rotary (14,500 hrs) plus another twenty sat in fixed wing piston, turbine and jets ... and yes, I have acquired the dreaded 'ear buzz' but have to say far from bad enough to have any adverse effect on my hearing while flying. In fact there's a small side benefit as I can hear the heart beating when sitting quietly and quite enjoy the steady drone at low rpm. Usually circa 165 resting and 10 or more higher standing/walking. Hope that's normal. Dennis K.

I can thank 30 years plus in aviation for teaching me the art of the cocktail party effect. I can recognise my call sign over all the other crap and can recognise when Mrs Link offers me a cup of tea/beer/sandwich but can filter out all the other blah.

Hearing Aid Audiologist
 

Well after a tought year of academia, 24,000 words later, practicals all passed - I'm qualified FdSc Hearing Aid Audiologist and now registered as HAD with HCPC. (Health & Care Professions Council)
Any pilot with any hearing issues get in touch and I'll do my best to help.

ps. still fully qualified EASA ATPL/H FI and FE
ex ATPL/A TRI fixed wing

As a current PPL student (skills test next week). I only wear a decent David Clarke headset... Is it worth wearing ear phones as well??
Even with a headset on it does seem a noisy environment!!
thanks

Did my license I was 23 years old and as part of the medical did a complete hearing test. When I got to 55, I had to do another complete hearing test (regulations) and the result was exactly the same as when I was 23, after 14,000 hrs, 2/3 of that time wearing headsets (David Clark) and 1/3 with a Gentex Helmet SPH4.


JD

Congrats!
 

Congratulations on the title, Up & Away!

I would have to say you are in the right business.
Did not have a whole lot more to say, as I am personally no longer in this business. But still wanted to congratulate you on your achievement!

40 years and 23,000 rotary wing hours and my hearing is not good...tinnitus is very prominent. Seems the damage was done in the early years in Bell 47's with minimal, and sometimes no hearing protection....stupid me:{

HUH? WHAT DID YOU SAY?

The Forward Transmission in the Chinook combined with poor hearing protection in the Army Issue Helmet of the Day removed my HF Hearing and gave me a Ringing in my Ears that takes about full Volume on the stereo to overcome.

Children and Women with high pitched voices.....are unintelligible and only get Head Nods in response to anything they say.

The advantage is I have a built in excuse for not listening to a nattering Woman now.:ok: