Decibel Readings I Took While Flying This Past Month

I travel a lot, and with my newly increased T was freaked out about the effects flying would have on my ears. This is in no ways scientific but are the readings I was able to take with an iPhone app I have. True to the article I posted last month, the closer to the front and the closer to the aisle you are the better. I know these readings are not complete by any means, but it's what I was able to record. Hope some of you find it useful.

I included the seat number, airline and plane type so you can look up the location on seatguru.com

United Airlines, 747-400, Seat 20G Aisle - This seat is over the wing just in front of the engines.
Cruising noise 83-84 db.
Take off peak noise 99 db.
Landing peak noise 103 db.

United Airlines 747-400, Seat 56G Aisle - This seat is one of the last rows.
Cruising noise 87-88 db.

United Airlines 747-400, Seat 14K Windows (upper deck) - This seat is far forward of the engines.
Cruising noise 78-79 db
Landing peak noise 85 db

American Airlines 737-800 Seat 11A Window - This seat is next to the engine.
Cruising noise 85-86 db.
Take off peak noise 101 db.
Landing peak noise 107 db

American Airlines 767-300, Seat 23C - This seat is in the middle of the plane over the wing.
Cruising noise 81-82 db.
I walked up and down the aisle and surprisingly the noise level was constant throughout the aircraft from the middle to the back of the plane.

 

Ouch, this one is crazy.

Thank you... Not very reassuring.

 

It was not a good choice for a seat though the peak noise only lasts about 2-3 seconds and then goes back to reasonable levels.

 

I have a flight in an Airbus A319 coming up in April... Front seat (2E). Airbus are often quieter than Boeing, but still, this is a lot of noise to handle with hyperacusis.

 

Numbers seem high

Anyway a good pair of muffs will work

 

Fonky, those peaks last a second don't let it scare you! Also, sitting in a front seat will make a huge difference. Row 1 in 737 was just 75-80dB (of engine noise) - cabin crew talking was more of a problem than the cabin noise.

Yes, exactly. The only problem that I had with earmuffs was that they made equalising pressure more difficult for some reason. But taking a short break every now and then during the descent was all that my ears needed.

 

Thanks for the data, @racerfish! What app did you use?

I wish I recorded the measurements when I flew on four flights late last year. They were all Airbuses. But I do remember the cruising noise was around 85-90 db using Decibel 10th. For all flights, I stayed within the first six rows of the plane. I also chose the aisle seat each time.

Airports and trains are noisier I think.

Also, I have upcoming flights on an ATR which is a turboprop. Flight is around an hour each way. I'm planning to drop the trip, even though it depresses me a lot that I have to cancel. Good idea or not?

 

You're right... It's just one more thing to handle during the trip. Train, airport, bus... Not sure I can do it.

 

Why, just use plugs, and maybe remove them a few times to equalize the pressure?

 

ear muffs !!much better than plugs, you can lift the muff side bit and get air anytime

google for peltor x5a

 

@JurgenG Because aren't turboprops among the noisest planes? I have mild/moderate but unpredictable H too.

I really wanna go. The trip is to a white beach where I can get away from the city for a few days. I've given up so much of my old life already, I've been feeling depressed and I figured good old "vitamin sea" can help. But now I feel like I can't go.

 

I don't know what that is like, but honestly, get the highest rated muffs? And ask for a seat for a way from the engines? (Explain your condition in a mail to the company perhaps, or via their social media, you never know these days.)
Don't skip your vacation, you need it!

 

Turboprops are noisy but not always more than regular jets.

Rear seats are the quietest though.

 

I've never been on a turboprop before so I have no idea either. I can change my flight to one that flies into the international airport instead of the regional one so I can get on a bigger plane. The international airport is 1.5 hours away from the beach (unlike the regional one which is like 10 minutes away) via a bus or van, but I have no problems with bus or van rides so maybe that's worth looking into even if there's a rebooking fee for it.

You're right, I need this @JurgenG. I just want to be smart about it, but I honestly don't know how to be. I have a hard time assessing risks.

@Foncky, rear seats are quietest? Is this for turboprops?

 

Rear seats are normally further away from the engines.

 

Yes only for turboprops. For jets you have to sit at the front.

I know, not very intuitive !

 

Don't do that. Don't use earplugs when flying if they are not specifically made for that purpose.

// Please disregard my comment. I can't read.

 

Yes that's exactly what I said : front seats for jets, rear seats for turboprops.

 

The plane I'll take is an ATR 72-500.



Rear is better? Away from propellers?

 

My bad, I can't read. Sorry!

Yes, Fonky is absolutely right.

 

Yes, book the last row if you can. Those things are still loud though, but it's a short flight.

Take the 3M Peltor X5a.

For my flight I will be wearing foam earplugs too (3M 1100 most likely), as I have absolutely no issue to equalize the pressure with them. But that's me.

 

Okay, thanks gentlemen. My trip isn't until April so a lot of things can still change in my T and H, but for now I think I may be able to do it. I have my Peltor muffs and Howard Leight plugs (which I think are better than the 3M ones).

 

Oh, it might be gone by than!

 

Does anyone know of earmuffs that have a flat side?
I need some for work that are not as bulky as the normal ones, with the highest rating possible.

 

3M Peltor X4A is quite flat with a high rating. But low frequency sounds sound awful with it, it's like they are amplified.

 

You're right, they are better in the low frequencies :

3m 1100 :
Frequency (Hz) 63 / 125 / 250 / 500 / 1000 / 2000 / 4000 / 8000
Mean Att. (dB) 30 / 33.1 / 36.3 / 38.4 / 38.7 / 39.7 / 48.3 / 44.4

Howard Leight Max :
Frequency (Hz) 63 / 125 / 250 / 500 / 1000 / 2000 / 4000 / 8000
Mean Att. (dB) 34.6 / 37.1 / 37.4 / 38.8 / 38.2 / 37.9 / 47.3 / 44.8

I'll try them, might be great for car rides especially.

 

Looks okay, indeed! If i can't find anything flatter I'll take them.
Like 3-4 cm thickness would be perfect.

 

I just measured the thickest part at 4.5cm.

 

@Foncky, I use Howard Leight Laser Lite, not Max. But it looks like Max is worth a try as well.

Anyway I like the Laser Lite plugs because I can twist them into really flat and thin shapes that fit into my tiny ear canals. And once they're in, they tend to stay for much longer in there unlike the 3M ones which seem to pop out every few minutes.

My only gripe is that the Laser Lite plugs come in this attention-grabbing neon yellow and hot pink color combination.

 

The best foam ear plugs I have tried are HEAROS Xtreme Protection.