On Mon, 12 Feb 2007 08:40:39 -0600, James Robinson wrote:

Ron Wanttaja wrote:

"Tony" wrote:

Just a word or two of caution, folks. Sound levels in SEL airplanes
can exceed 90 dB A at the pilot's ear, and prolonged exposure to that
level can lead to hearing loss. I stuff a couple of thousand bucks
worth of electronics in each ear now, partly because I didn't use a
headset in the airplane in my younger days (lots of gun fire and some
evidence of family hearing loss are also factors). Even if you're not
using the radio, protect your hearing.

I took a Radio Shack sound meter aloft with me one day. 109 dB at
chest level.

I wear an ANR, now....

What rating scale was that measured with? It looks like dBC, which is
not representative of the effect on human hearing.

It may have been "C"...ISTR the reading on the other setting was about 104 dB.

Further, don't be lulled into thinking ANR will help prevent hearing loss.
ANR has a number of issues that can give a false sense of security. The
best protection is a passive ear muff. With some designs, ANR can actually
increase sound levels.

When I can, I wear foam earplugs under the ANR. However, I dislike to, as the
"as-heard" volume isn't quite high enough, and I lose sidetone. I wear the
plugs if I'm going to actually fly somewhere, fishing them out from under the
helmet when I get near the destination.

With the plugs in place, the ANR is actually moot...I can't tell the difference
with it on or off.

Ron Wanttaja