Severe pain after wearing headset

ElationAviation

ElationAviation

New Member
This problem has happened to me on and off throughout my 7-year flight "career". It started with an Avix headset given to me by a friend. I'd wear the headset for a good 20 minutes, then I'd develop a very hot burning sensation on the upper right part of my head (about 3-4" above my ear). It would go away if I repositioned the headset but lasting effects of a bad headache remained.
I haven't flown in quite some time and went on a XC yesterday (1 hr each way) with a different headset. I didn't notice pain on the way down except for the usual headache, but on the way back I was borderline blacking out. The pain was the worst I've ever felt and I could barely keep my eyes open (luckily I was SIC). Not only did the usual spot hurt... my entire head felt numb and hot. Even when we landed I still felt like my skull was in a pressure cooker. Symptoms lasted until two hours after the flight.

I've been meaning to get it checked out but last night sealed the deal. I've read up on ischemia but I can't get a clear description of symptoms, etc.
 
The clamping force seems to bother some people more than others (has never bothered me). The Clarity Aloft or Lightspeed Mach 1 are both in-ear (zero clamping force), might solve your problem. Also, I've used the Flightcomm F20 with in-ear earplugs. Poor man's solution (I have that headset for quiet cockpits, I find it more comfy than the Telex), but that just feels like wearing headphones. The headset speaker is loud enough to hear over the earplugs, which you can get from Pilotmall for $0.49/pair (get the ones with a string to prevent losing them).
 
That's definitely what I'm thinking of (though I'm on a seriously tight budget). A military friend lent me a David Clark but I haven't been able to give it a shot because I'm trying to figure out where to buy the converter adapter for the plugs. I believe I tried a DC once and it provided quite a bit of relief.
I fly really noisy and old airplanes and have super sensitive ear canals (can't wear in-ear headphones for ipod or anything like that). I'm just a sensitive mess. :P
 
I have always found DC to have some of the strongest clamping forces of any headset I have worn. Bose has almost no clamping force.
 
ElationAviation said:
This problem has happened to me on and off throughout my 7-year flight "career". It started with an Avix headset given to me by a friend. I'd wear the headset for a good 20 minutes, then I'd develop a very hot burning sensation on the upper right part of my head (about 3-4" above my ear). It would go away if I repositioned the headset but lasting effects of a bad headache remained.
I haven't flown in quite some time and went on a XC yesterday (1 hr each way) with a different headset. I didn't notice pain on the way down except for the usual headache, but on the way back I was borderline blacking out. The pain was the worst I've ever felt and I could barely keep my eyes open (luckily I was SIC). Not only did the usual spot hurt... my entire head felt numb and hot. Even when we landed I still felt like my skull was in a pressure cooker. Symptoms lasted until two hours after the flight.

I've been meaning to get it checked out but last night sealed the deal. I've read up on ischemia but I can't get a clear description of symptoms, etc.
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If a headset gives you a headache why wear one? The airplane should have a speaker and a hand mic. Very few airplanes require you to use one with a boom mic. We never used headsets in my early days of flying, I am sure my hearing has suffered because of that but it is better than a bad headache.
 
Corporate Pilot said:
If a headset gives you a headache why wear one? The airplane should have a speaker and a hand mic. Very few airplanes require you to use one with a boom mic. We never used headsets in my early days of flying, I am sure my hearing has suffered because of that but it is better than a bad headache.
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Very true. I'd rather have the contained radio that a headset provides, though, because I've found that the speaker isn't as clear as the headset (usually).
What I'll probably do is end up saving my pennies for a good in-ear or give the DC headset another try. If all else fails I'll binge on a Bose.... but that's a last resort.
 
ElationAviation said:
Very true. I'd rather have the contained radio that a headset provides, though, because I've found that the speaker isn't as clear as the headset (usually).
What I'll probably do is end up saving my pennies for a good in-ear or give the DC headset another try. If all else fails I'll binge on a Bose.... but that's a last resort.
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I had not thought about the in-ear ones, sounds like a good option. We have a set of Bose for the Cessna 340 but I like the Telex 850 better. The Telex is lighter, does not clamp down on your head as much, has noise canceling, and does not use batteries. I use the 850 in the Citation also.
 
Corporate Pilot said:
I had not thought about the in-ear ones, sounds like a good option. We have a set of Bose for the Cessna 340 but I like the Telex 850 better. The Telex is lighter, does not clamp down on your head as much, has noise canceling, and does not use batteries. I use the 850 in the Citation also.
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I'll check the Telex out for sure. I mentioned in one of my prior posts that I apparently have super sensitive ear canals as well (can't do in-ear headphones for stuff like iPods and whatnot) so I'm not sure how an in-ear would fit. I could also get creative and figure out exactly where I'm having pressure problems and try to figure out how to modify the headset so it releases the pressure.
 
Ok, I'll just come right out and say I have a big head. Seriously. Comes with the territory when one is a giant. There are certain headsets that give me a similar feeling (like most DCs) so I can relate. I definitely recommend the Lightspeed Zulus as a comfortable headset that haven't given me any real issues, but that said my career as of late has been pretty short stage lengths. In any case, try the Zulus. If you do some shopping you might find a good deal on a set on eBay.

Also check out the Bose / UFlyMike combo. Less expensive and most people that use them rave about them.
 
Any chance the flight surgeon can chime in and help diagnose the reason why I nearly blacked out (hence prompted this post)? The headset suggestions are awesome but I'm looking to see if there's a bigger problem below the surface. I'm thinking it's a blood flow interruption in the head area but I'd like to hear from a pro. :)
 
Definately see a doc and get checked out. DC's have a lot of clamping force IMO. If you can't afford the Bose try a Bose QC15 and U-Fly Mic. It allows you turn the QC-15 into a BOSE ANR headset at a about 1/2 the cost of the Bose X

Good Luck...
 
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