Pilot headphones are valuable tools in general aviation (GA)
cockpits. Besides blocking unwanted sound, earphones facilitate internal
& external communication while reducing noise-related fatigue.
Though great for all types of flying, earsets are particularly valuable
in flight training operations.
For those new to aviation, a
general aviation cockpit presents several challenges. Rookie aviators
often have little or no experience flying in light aircraft. An
effective way to improve their experiences and simplify their flight
training is by using aviation headsets.
One of the primary
benefits of pilot headphones is hearing protection. The Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cites 85 decibels as a "safe"
daily exposure amount for a period of up to eight hours. Above this
noise level, OSHA notes that even short periods of exposure to loud
noise can result in permanent hearing loss. Some individuals are
susceptible to detrimental hearing damage at noise levels below 85
decibels. General aviation aircraft, particularly high-performance
models, can generate noise in excess of 100 dB (A) at high power
settings. To protect aviation students from possible hearing damage,
earphones should be used for all flight lessons.





