Hearing protection for little ones

kellwolf · December 21st, 2005, 08:51

I know some of you guys have already taken your >1 year olds up flying. What do you use for hearing protection? We're planning on flying a 172 from Tupelo to Memphis with Gavin in the back (FAA approved car seat of course), but I don't want him to just have to deal with the wind and engine noise.

MQAAord · December 21st, 2005, 09:36

I think it depends on the baby. I've heard of people cutting adult earplugs in half and using them on babies/toddlers, though neither of my kids would stand for something being put in their ears. Do you think he'd leave a small headset on? Or a pair of ramper's 'Ears'? Alex would have nothing to do with headsets, he just pulled them off and played with them or tried to eat them. So the 3 times he's been in airplanes, he's had nothing as far as ear protection goes.

I really don't think the noise will do them any harm, unless they're exposed to it all the time.

adreamer · December 21st, 2005, 09:42

candy to help ear popping and a pair of modified ear plugs - regular ear plug but cut into size fit into baby's ears. Be careful Gavin maybe able to remove ear plugs and swallow it.

adreamer · December 21st, 2005, 09:43

You beat me, Amber...

farmerbrown · December 21st, 2005, 10:14

I started taking my two boys up when the older one was 2 and the younger about 9 months old. They are now 4 and 2 and fly all the time with me. I have no problem getting them to wear headsets now. The younger one we started with ear muff type protection (like used on a tractor or rifle shooting) and that worked great. He kept them on and mostly just fell asleep. We have since transitioned to a headset since he no longer sleeps on trips. That took a while for him to stop pulling them off. Now he just keeps pulling off the microphone foam and making it disappear.

We have a 4 place intercom in the 172 so it is much better being able to communicate with them. Don't know if that is really helpful to you but that has been my experience with youngsters in a plane.

rickyrhodesii · December 21st, 2005, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellwolf

...Gavin in the back (FAA approved car seat of course)...

I know this is kinda off the subject, but what exactly is a FAA approved car seat? Where can you find one?

Sprint100 · December 21st, 2005, 18:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickyrhodesii

I know this is kinda off the subject, but what exactly is a FAA approved car seat? Where can you find one?

I don't know what additional specifications they have, but they seem like regular car seats. In fact, many car seats you buy are FAA certified. I just check the back or bottom of the seat to make sure.

MQAAord · December 21st, 2005, 19:43

Most car seats manufactured after 1983 are FAA approved.

Most, that is! Some are not, for whatever reason. The Britax Husky, for example, is not FAA approved because of its size.

To see if a particular car seat is FAA approved, take a look at the bottom or side of the carseat. You'll find a label, usually with some red print and a bunch of small type-print. Read it (or the carseat's owner's manual) carefully and you should find a sentance that reads "This seat is approved for use in motor vehicles and aircraft".

USMCmech · December 21st, 2005, 23:09

I've used wax earplugs designed for swiming and Clint didn't seem to mind.

Airplanes aren't teribly loud, only the fact that we are exposed to them for long peroids of time cause problems. Takeing your kids flying without any ear protection will not cause IMEADIATE harm.

kellwolf · December 23rd, 2005, 20:13

I've got my old ramp rat ear muffs at my parents' house, so we'll probably give that a try on the way back. $20 says they get yanked off and thrown at the back of my head, though.

Looks like his first trip he might even get to log some actual, too.