Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones — Are They Used to Block Noise or to Listen to Music?

Are Bose noise cancelling headphones used to block noise or to listen to music?

Can Peltor muffs be used during a flight?

 

I use Bose headphones to block the noise of a plane/a car on a highway. Moreover, since these headphones have been the primary reason for some people getting T (and also have been causing people to get T spikes), I always wear good earplugs (3M 1100) underneath those headphones. This way, even if the headphones are in fact generating some waves that might be harmful to the ear, those waves ought to be absorbed by the earplug.

Many people have been getting spikes as a result of using headphones, even at low volume. I wouldn't risk listening to the music in those headphones, even when I wear earplugs underneath the headphones. I just don't want to take a risk, unless I absolutely have to.

I suggest that you find movies with subtitles and watch that on the plane to keep yourself entertained (instead of listening to the music, or watching movies with sound instead of subtitles).

 

Both.
If you don't play anything in them, they're just noise cancellers. If you decide to play something in them, then you won't have to crank up the volume to compete with external sound, since the noise-cancelling-circuit "removes" that external sound for you, so it's also better for your ears as you can keep volume low.

 

A great post Bill. It is good to see someone talking about the serious damage that headphones can cause. I am pleased to see the precautions you take and wish you well.

Michael

 

I wanna check if I understand right that these are fine to wear if I don't listern to music (like Bill Bauer I would never ever listen to music through headphones).

But if I wear them just for the noise canceling effect they won't spike my tinnitus?

 

I have been using them for about 4 years and as far as I can tell they have never caused any spikes for me. They are a lifesaver for me on trains/flights/busses/walking in the city.

 

Both

 

Some TT members report that using bose noise cancelling headphones have aggravated their T. Personally, I prefer to go with more mundane protection, i.e. properly inserted foam ear plugs are cheap, comfortable, effective, and discrete.

 

There Have Been horror stories on this forum where people say that they got T after wearing noise cancelling headphones. It is for this reason that I have been wearing earplugs underneath my noise cancelling headphones. The headphones protect me against the noise around me, and the earplugs are hopefully ensuring that my ears are not harmed by the headphones.

 

They don't offer nearly as much noise reduction inside of an airplane, as noise cancelling headphones over earplugs.

 

Thanks guys. I can't wear earplugs anyway as they always cause pain and I have tried loads but all cause pain. At first I thought maybe I'm putting them in wrong so saw my audiologist who said no you are putting them in right but they don't fit right as your ears are very small.

She said I need custom ones but she said it could also be your ETD so instead of plugs she recommended ear muffs.

 

I would probably opt for earmuffs instead of noise cancelling headphones if additional protection was required. I don't know much about T + flying, though, since it's a situation I haven't had to deal with yet.

 

Unfortunately no form of ear protection is 100% safe. What some people do not realize, if external sound is loud enough, it will pass through the head/skull and be transferred to the inner ear by "bone conduction" and irritate the cochlea. This can result in a spike that may or may not reduce and if it doesn't, the tinnitus will increase to a new and permanent level. No hearing protection or noise cancelling headphones can stop sound passing through the head by bone conduction if the sound is loud enough.

Michael

 

Noise cancelling headphones seem to provide a little more noise reduction. They are also more comfortable - after wearing them for many hours, you won't feel like your head is in a vice (something even the best muffs will likely do after a couple of hours).

Of course I understand where you are coming from, and if earplugs are offering a false sense of security (I don't think this is the case, but anything is possible), then of course I am wrong to recommend the use of noise cancelling headphones.

 

I have recently flown and wore plugs plus peltor X4A muffs. I hate hearing the extreme ringing when wearing muffs etc but feel safer I'm protecting my ears from potentially further damage.

 

I'm about to fly around the planet twice, so you don't think foam plugs are enough?

 

If you are on an Airbus plane, it is possible (likely?) that foam plugs will be enough. But why take a chance?

Are you going to take two separate trips? I don't understand how it would be possible to fly around the planet Twice, if it is only one trip. Or are you just adding the lengths of the different legs of your trip, and coming up with the equivalent of two Earth diameters?

 

Hearing protection should be worn around loud noise.

Hearing protection may not help from from vibrations from touch or surroundings as vibration can travel direct to the cochlea. Vibration can travel up the spine. Hearing protection may not help with facial and mouth bone conduction.

Caution with heavy headphones are needed for those with physical tinnitus or PT. Compression of neck/jaw muscles, nerves, arteries, veins and muscles can increase from weight of headphones. With physical tinnitus conditions - bending the head forward, side to side or looking down can cause increased problems from headphone weight.

 

I'm flying to the other side of planet earth and back. Thanks for keeping my language in check.

So I should wear foam plugs and noise cancelling head phones? I havent flown in 15 years and I certainly havent flown since i got shitnitus.

 

At one point over the past year, I flew for 16 hours and back (in a Boeing Dreamliner, a pretty loud plane). I used the method above, and ended up being fine.

 

Alright. That's my plan. Thanks.

 

I hope you will end up having a great trip!

 

Yeah, me too....

 

@Bill Bauer is it okay to use foam earplugs, then ear muffs over them??

 

So what’s the best protocol to follow when flying?
Muffs or headphones (no music)?

 

Muffs don’t offer much in terms of comfort as they still let the annoying low drone of the aircraft through.

One thing with noise cancelling headphones, they’re good for constant background sound but wouldn’t want to be around sudden loud impulse sounds. For example, closing a car door with them on can be felt in the ear as the nc wave cancels out the actual sound waves. It’s not pleasant and I think should be avoided. Wouldn’t trust their effectiveness too much.

The low nc setting is also something to consider. High nc can feel like an uncomfortable kind of over pressure which makes me wonder if they’re actually not too good to wear for long periods. Low nc is much more comfortable but, of course, offers less cancelling.

Flying wise, an A380 in cattle class forward of the wings = 62-65db at cruising altitude. People laughing and babies crying are louder than the plane. Not too bad at all.
I wouldn’t fly a Boeing or other again.
Wearing nc headphones and earplugs puts you in a very quiet place with just you and your T, which isn’t very pleasant either.

 

I took Bills advice for plane rides it was the best. I used my musicians plugs under them and was fine. infact I had to take them off for a bit because there was too much T happening

 

Never had any problem in about 25 flights since my T while wearing no protection or simply earplugs. My longest flight was Paris - Tokyo. But generally it was less than 5 hours.

I make sure and advise to wear protection (plugs or muffs) - one, or double if you're still annoyed by the noise - if the flight is more than 2 hours though.

 

I agree with you @Julien87
Some people may need hearing protection whilst flying. I believe a lot of the problems people have with managing tinnitus and hyperacusis, is caused by panic, fear and hysteria. These emotions are very powerful in making sure, a person will have difficulty enjoying their life.

Michael

 

This is very true and i know a lot of people don't believe this but it is so very true. I have personally been affected by fear before I even got tinnitus.

I have never told anyone apart from my mom and sister what I'm about to share on here but i want to share it if it helps people realise how fear and anxiety can ruin your life.

Before I got tinnitus I was very badly bullied as a teenager to the point they beat me up twice, strangled me and nearly killed me. A teacher saw them and stopped them. They would come to our house and kick footballs at our house and we had to call the police, the main bully went as far as to post threatening letters to me saying he was going to kill me.

After we moved and the bullying stopped I became terrified to leave my own home on my own and it paralysed me with fear. I started having panic attacks if I was on my own. It took years of help to be happy to be on my own again, even to just get the bus by myself as I had become scared of people and if they would hurt me like he did but thankfully I'm a lot stronger now and with help have overcome my fear.

But this is why i agree 100% with @Michael Leigh as fear, anxiety, stress can and does have a very real effect on our bodies both physically and mentally. As it did with me. A year after i overcame my fear i ended up getting my new battle tinnitus.