In the world of flight, there are two basic types of pilot headsets. There are headphones with passive noise reduction and headphones with active noise reduction (ANR). This article will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the ANR aviator headphones.
The advantages of ANR headphones
The most obvious advantage of ANR headphones is their amazing ability to almost completely eliminate engine, propeller and air noise found in most aircraft cabins. This allows the pilot to clearly hear and understand the communications sent by the control tower personnel and other controllers.
Another benefit of wearing active noise reduction headphones is protection against hearing loss. Continued exposure to high-decibel sounds found in aircraft cabins can cause permanent hearing loss in pilots. Although passive noise reduction headphones will also prevent damage to the eardrum, ANR headphones work better.
Active noise canceling headphones are lighter and have less holding pressure than passive noise canceling headphones. Passive noise reduction headphones rely solely on the seal around the ear to reduce noise. This means that the headphones must press firmly against the head, which requires pressure. This constant pressure on the sides of the head can cause pilot fatigue and headaches.
Another advantage found in ANR headphones is the ability to connect a cell phone or MP3 player to the headphones wirelessly. These connections are made using Bluetooth technology. The pilot does not need to remove the headset to make a quick call before take-off or after landing. And it’s also nice to listen to music during the less busy hours of the flight.
The downsides of ANR headphones
ANR hearing aids are more expensive than passive hearing aids and most cost more than $ 1000. This can be a huge hurdle for people on a budget.
What makes them so expensive is the advanced technology needed to eliminate cabin noise. Basically, it has to do with creating sound waves, the direct opposite of the sounds that the headphones pick up, and sending those sound waves to the pilot, thus canceling the background noise.
Like other electronics, production costs are coming down, but they are still expensive enough to make a pilot think twice about buying one.
Another disadvantage of ANR headphones can sometimes, due to their highly technological nature, have a tendency to fail. And you should carry new spare batteries with you at all times.
In conclusion, each product has good and bad points, so it is up to the individual to weigh the pros and cons and make purchasing decisions based on that.