Comments on: Airplane noises and the messages they send

By: Chip Wright

Chip Wright — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 17:20:41 +0000

Charles,
Yours is a great question, and the answer is “No!” Noise cancelling or ANR headsets do not ‘mask’ the noise. They simply reduce the volume of the noise or change the way it sounds. You can easily adapt to how different headsets affect the way you hear various sounds. Even a comparison between good, quality David Clarks versus not-so-good, low-quality Sigtronics will change the way that sounds sound.

Even if you have concerns about external sound changes with ANR, remember this: I have worn hearing aids for almost 40 years, and have had several different kinds during my flying career. Hearing protection should take precedence over almost every other aspect of comfort in a plane. Not only will you save your ears, but good headsets, and especially ANR, will reduce fatigue, thus improving safety. Plus, protecting your ears will allow them to work for you, not against you.

If you want some advice on cost-effective ANR headsets, go to the archives of this blog, and look at my post for July 27, 2010 for a look at a ‘half price’ Bose ANR headset. Your ears will thank me!

By: Charles F. Thom II

Charles F. Thom II — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 19:20:38 +0000

Noise dampening headsets. Do they also mask recognition of “Red Flag” engine, slipstream, or cockpit noises? I prefer to have that valuable input. Until some expert informs me otherwise, I’ll stay with my conventional headset.

By: Z.F. Askia

Z.F. Askia — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 01:31:26 +0000

I really enjoyed reading your article! Having a sense of what doesn’t quite seem right in functionality could adversely affect the end result.

Special Note: Paragraph 7: Maybe the word “every” should read “ever”.