Passive noise reduction headset + earplugs, will it work?

[socsbrian]

Hello all, as the title says, is it going to block off too much noise that will end up having trouble hearing the radio?
I don't want to turn up the radio unit volume, as I worry it will be too loud for other passengers.
So just wanna know if passive noise reduction headset + earplugs will give results similar to the bose a20?
Thanks!

[Jungle Jim]

Socsbrian,
Passive noise reduction headsets are similar to ear plugs. Active noise reduction headsets use opposite phase noise to cancel out the noise. A passive headset plus ear plugs will not approximate an active noise reduction headset.

Jim

[Turboprops]

One of my friend found this out the hard way: no it doesn’t not approximate A20 noise canceling capabilities.

[Brantford Beech Boy]

Been using a Clarity Aloft for almost a decade in biz Jets and Kingair.

Best headset I’ve ever used. My new airplane came with Bose A20s. Tried them for a couple of flights and hated them.

[digits_]

Hello all, as the title says, is it going to block off too much noise that will end up having trouble hearing the radio?
I don't want to turn up the radio unit volume, as I worry it will be too loud for other passengers.
So just wanna know if passive noise reduction headset + earplugs will give results similar to the bose a20?
Thanks!

Bose cancels out environment noise. The end effect is that voice is clearer. In theory you could use a lot of passive noise cancelling to get to the same noise level as a bose, but the bose will generally be clearer, as the intercom volume level is not reduced further.

[acpaleaks]

Hello all, as the title says, is it going to block off too much noise that will end up having trouble hearing the radio?
I don't want to turn up the radio unit volume, as I worry it will be too loud for other passengers.
So just wanna know if passive noise reduction headset + earplugs will give results similar to the bose a20?
Thanks!

I know people that have done this for many years, but the drone is still there and can have long term effects on your hearing.

IMO, save up for an ANR. Buy used for now... or get a QC25 with a uflymic (used if you can find it) for a total cost of $500-600. Look for a Lightspeed Zulu or Zulu2 used for $600-800.

Flying with a real ANR is really a whole different level. Not much can compare or mimic it.

[Big Pistons Forever]

Back when I was young and noise cancelling headsets where not yet available I paired earplugs with a David Clarke for really noisy airplanes (Islander, Tracker, T 28). I had no problem with the intercom/radio and my hearing is still good.

[ogc]

Years on a metro with both passive + earplugs and then noise cancelling + ear plugs.

Noise cancelling with ear plugs underneath did a very good job. The better volume control on the noise cancelling headset fixed any issues with radios that might not be loud enough.

Some people said it was overkill but I don't want any hearing loss I can avoid.

[digits_]

Years on a metro with both passive + earplugs and then noise cancelling + ear plugs.

Noise cancelling with ear plugs underneath did a very good job. The better volume control on the noise cancelling headset fixed any issues with radios that might not be loud enough.

Some people said it was overkill but I don't want any hearing loss I can avoid.

Did the same thing. I notice that it was usually the people with some hearing loss that claimed it was overkill... I was also surprised by the sometimes downright hostile reactions I got when I put in my ear plugs

[ogc]

Did the same thing. I notice that it was usually the people with some hearing loss that claimed it was overkill... I was also surprised by the sometimes downright hostile reactions I got when I put in my ear plugs

Yeah I just laughed and shook my head. I don't want to be the old guy yelling what all the time.

[Posthumane]

I do use earplugs with passive David Clarks in a loud airplane. I used to only do it on longer flights, but I've been doing it more often now even on short hops as I've become more sensitized to hearing issues. For flying helicopters I use either ear plugs under the Gentex SPH5 helmet, or on some helmets that have been modified for it I use CEPs (communication ear plugs) which are basically foam earplug earbud-style earphones that plug into the helmet and have audio going directly to your ear so you don't have to turn the radio up. With the earplugs I DO have to turn the radio up to about 80% volume. Passengers have their own volume control on their headset.

[Macktuck]

Back when I was young and noise cancelling headsets where not yet available I paired earplugs with a David Clarke for really noisy airplanes (Islander, Tracker, T 28). I had no problem with the intercom/radio and my hearing is still good.

I was thinking it was just me. Somehow the “Kermit” head set with the gel seal cozies, (for the really fancy Gucci boys), was somehow enough. Haha.

[frog]

Budget wise the Bose A20 will make you cry.
However I ended buying one and it really improves your confort and awareness.

I really appreciated that when flying in busy spots in Europe.

A good headset with ANC, doesn't matter which brand is the best purchase you can make during your aviation career.

[Beefitarian]

Did the same thing. I notice that it was usually the people with some hearing loss that claimed it was overkill... I was also surprised by the sometimes downright hostile reactions I got when I put in my ear plugs

Yeah I just laughed and shook my head. I don't want to be the old guy yelling what all the time.

Say again.