Diane, I don't think the earplugs would affect this one. The eardrum was simply being compressed slowly by the changing altitude, I suspect. But I do wear earplugs when flying. Depending on the plane and seat location, the noise can be up there in the high 80 dB range. Plus the loud announcement speakers and slamming of overhead bins. My dB meter measured 98db peak on the overhead bin slamming. Also, I arrive at my destination feeling more relaxed and less tired if I have had my ears plugged. I don't usually use foam plugs, though, but use in-ear noise cancelling headphones. As long as they are turned off most airlines are OK with them. Only Alaska has given me trouble about them. Don Mannino, traveling tooner From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Diane Hofstetter Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2010 12:36 PM To: College and University Technicians; pianotech at ptg.org Subject: [pianotech] Wearing Earplugs while flying Once, on a flight between San Jose and Portland, a lady next to me was speaking while we descended. Suddenly her voice started getting quieter and quieter, and I started getting worry-der and worrieder! My hearing did return--that time. Attached is a brief letter from one of the leading hearing conservation scientists on wearing earplugs while flying--to Las Vegas? Thought it might interest some. Diane Hofstetter -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20100613/7466f3a9/attachment.htm>
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