Stepping back from ANR

On Sun, 27 Aug 2006 21:59:26 -0400, "Morgans"
wrote:


"Jonathan Goodish" wrote

There is zero evidence that ANR does anything to prevent hearing loss
over and above a good passive headset. If you can't cite clinical data
to substantiate such an important claim, it it quite irresponsible to
make such a claim.

Simply because ANR has not been around long enough for any long term studies
to have taken place.

If the total decibel reduction ratings are higher for an ANR unit versus a
passive unit, would that not be a pretty darn good reason to believe that
they will result in less hearing loss?

Agreed. If I find the noise uncomfortable when I turn the ANR
function off that is a good *indication* in its favor.


How about the fact that ANR users report being able to hear com traffic much
more clearly? What happens if you can not hear ATC clearly? Most would

This brings up a memory from some years back. We were getting ready
to depart Muskegon (MI) after spending the afternoon wandering around
while they were getting set up for the Muskegon Air Fair.

We were setting at the hold line waiting for departure when some one
called in. The tower had to ask twice for a repeat, yet with the ANRs
I could hear them clearly. With the ANR function off, I could not
hear the other aircraft at all. I was easily able to relay to the
tower. I was able to hear the other plane clearly while the tower
couldn't. We were no more than half a mile from the tower and on the
ground.

turn up the volume, so they can make the conversation out against the
background noise. The loud com blaring in the ears would be another cause

That is what happened when I flew right seat in the twin. I had to
turn the gain up so high to hear over the noise that it hurt. At that
point I had to tell the pilot he was on his own and I sure wished I
have brought my own headset along.

of hearing loss that is not ever even factored into the decibel ratings of
headsets.

I think that it is just as irresponsible or more irresponsible to make
claims or imply that passive is just as good as ANR, when there are no long
term studies to show that they are equal to the protection that ANR
provides.

When you see the difference is over 10 to 15 db more reduction with
the ANR function turned on I'd think logic would dictate it'd be a no
brainer. OTOH I don't place much faith in advertising figures, but I
do place a lot of faith in what I hear (or rater don't) when I turn
that switch on.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com