Zeemax 0 #1 June 6, 2003 ok, random time... as a sound engineer/producer i'm only too aware of the long term damaging effects the noise of the engines and free fall are having on my ears.... Whats the deal on people wearing ear plugs? does anyone know if theres a problem with this? i need to look after my ears as its how i earn jump tix. Heck i even wear plugs when i go clubbing (that volume is really screwing up people's hearing) whats people think?Phoenix Fly - High performance wingsuits for skydiving and BASE Performance Designs - Simply brilliant canopies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #2 June 6, 2003 you can wear them on the way up but its not recommended to wear em in freefall! your ears may not repressurize properly when you go thru altidudeMy photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ERICCONNELLY 0 #3 June 6, 2003 Try a product called "ear-planes" They allow equalization through a small oriface in the plugs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfields 0 #4 June 6, 2003 I wear them sometimes on the way up. The ones I have were Army-issue rubber ones. You can get cheap ones to wear then stow them before you exit. I also wear ear plugs whenever I mow the lawn. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 7 #5 June 6, 2003 Quoteyou can wear them on the way up but its not recommended to wear em in freefall! your ears may not repressurize properly when you go thru altidude When flying jumpers I wore ear plugs under my Dave Clark's with gel seals (sp?). 37 loads in one day was my record. Never had a problem with 6,000 fpm descents. I've jumped with the same ear plugs. No problems for me. But to be honest I don't know if there could be a potential problem. Good question.Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #6 June 6, 2003 Quoteok, random time... as a sound engineer/producer i'm only too aware of the long term damaging effects the noise of the engines and free fall are having on my ears.... Whats the deal on people wearing ear plugs? does anyone know if theres a problem with this? i need to look after my ears as its how i earn jump tix. Heck i even wear plugs when i go clubbing (that volume is really screwing up people's hearing) whats people think? Hearing loss is serious business. I ALWAYS wear earplugs when I skydive, and offer them to others. Don't buy what jtval is saying above - the soft-foam kind are air-permeable and will equalize without a problem. I think the major issue is that they're considered unfashionable, for some bizarre reason. Then again, so was the Cypes."The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #7 June 6, 2003 I rased this qwuestion years ago when I was having equalization probs after my jumps! I'm not doctor/physics major but I know my ears would pop pretty bad! when I jumped with them in! personal experience!!My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,589 #8 June 7, 2003 I keep the kind on a string attached to the label at the neck of my jumpsuit; that way they're always there. I usually remember to take them out before jumping, but not always. The reason I like to is that I feel a little less isolated from the skydive and the time under canopy. The cheap foam ones can be washed a few times in the washing machine, and just dried in the dryer. Works like a charm. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kansasskydiver 0 #9 June 7, 2003 i've never jumped with mine in. doesn't seem like a good idea. i keep them in for teh ride up and then take them out before i put my helmet on. i want to be able to hear my dytter and all that. i would probably freak if i jumped with them in. the different sound of the wind etc would freak me chris<--- See look, pink dolphins DO exist! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aero04 0 #10 June 7, 2003 For my first 60 or so jumps I used those squishy ear plugs; the ones you squish up and put in your ears then they expand to fill your ear canal. I never had any problem with the ride up or freefall. I just hated wearing them because I couldn't hear in freefall or under canopy and mostly because it was one more thing to worry about. I don't wear my earplugs now because I bought a Mindwarp and I just wear my helmet during the ride up. I used to wear Protecs and with the holes over the ear, it was awfully loud, hence the ear plugs. But leaving the Mindwarp on my head (and no holes at the ears) muffles the engine noise and the noise of freefall. For me, a perfect solution. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Push 0 #11 June 7, 2003 I also have the new Mindwarp, and it does a really good job muffling the engine on the ride up. Every time I take it off to put my goggles on before exit I can hear the difference. How important is it really to wear earplugs in freefall? Sure, it's loud, but I've stood next to speakers in raves and they're louder. Plus, the freefall only lasts maybe a minute at a time. -- Toggle Whippin' Yahoo Skydiving is easy. All you have to do is relax while plummetting at 120 mph from 10,000' with nothing but some nylon and webbing to save you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MagicLou 0 #12 June 7, 2003 Good question. So how would a good full face helmet be at damping the noise both on the way up and down. I ride motorcycles and a good full face helmet is noticeably more quiet. I haven't had the oportunity to jump with anything other than the student helmets, and the noise level is certainly an issue.Lou ___________________________________ . . . now you see that evil will always triumph because good is dumb - Dark Helmet Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aero04 0 #13 June 7, 2003 QuoteI also have the new Mindwarp, and it does a really good job muffling the engine on the ride up. Every time I take it off to put my goggles on before exit I can hear the difference. Most definitely. QuoteHow important is it really to wear earplugs in freefall? Sure, it's loud, but I've stood next to speakers in raves and they're louder. Plus, the freefall only lasts maybe a minute at a time. That is what I thought, but I tried to jump without the plugs one jump (just before I got my Mindwarp) and the freefall noise really bothered me. Actually more than the engine noise. Could possibly be because I have a bit of tinnitus in my left ear due to loud music when I was young and dumb. Hah, still young, just hope I'm not dumb anymore. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clownburner 0 #14 June 7, 2003 Yes, if it's loud enough, even short exposures will damage your hearing. The best rule of thumb is that if it bothers you, wear earplugs. Here is a chart of the OSHA exposure limits and some common examples. I have some tinnitus and hearing loss in my right ear from being too close to a firing 105mm howitzer in the army; (Don't ask, they didn't know I was there, and I didn't know they were firing). Now my hearing is very sensitive (and I'm worried about further loss!). I wear earplugs religiously on the ride up; I usually remove them just before exit, figuring the short exposure (and the Mindwarp I wear) offer some protection. It doesn't bother me. The few times I've forgotten them for the plane ride I've discovered the noise to be quite irritating - and the dytter '1000-ft-warning' is downright painful if I forget to take off my helmet a few seconds early. 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
