In-ear noise cancelling headphones for off watch?

[Kelpie]

I've never had, or used, a set of noise cancelling headphones. On my off watches I will often stick some normal headphones in and listen to a suitable podcast to lull myself to sleep (I find Melvyn Bragg works best). It helps distract me from the background noises, but obviously I keep the volume very low in case I'm needed on deck. I sleep in the saloon with my head about 3ft from the companionway.

Would noise cancelling headphones work well for this? I don't want to be so dead to the world that the off watch crew cannot wake me with a shout.

 

[Boathook]

What about ear plugs such as these 3M 1100 37dB Foam Ear Plugs 200 Pairs .
I use them on board and at home. Can still hear the alarm clock but they take out most other noises.

 

[Kelpie]

What about ear plugs such as these 3M 1100 37dB Foam Ear Plugs 200 Pairs .
I use them on board and at home. Can still hear the alarm clock but they take out most other noises.

Yes I've tried them too, fairly effective against higher pitched sound I thought.

 

[LiftyK]

I can vouch for over ear noise cancelling headphones and imagine in-ear will be similar. They are amazing. When they are on, and unplugged from any sound source, I feel like I am in an anechoic chamber. I have worn them to help me sleep and they are very effective if you have a good set.

 

[Richard10002]

I can vouch for over ear noise cancelling headphones and imagine in-ear will be similar. They are amazing. When they are on, and unplugged from any sound source, I feel like I am in an anechoic chamber. I have worn them to help me sleep and they are very effective if you have a good set.

but would you hear a shout to get you up on deck, perhaps in an emergency or similar? I have over ear noise cancelling headphones at home and I do worry whether I would hear my wife shouting if there was a problem, so usually have one cup off an ear, which defeats the object.

 

[Sandy]

but would you hear a shout to get you up on deck, perhaps in an emergency or similar? I have over ear noise cancelling headphones at home and I do worry whether I would hear my wife shouting if there was a problem, so usually have one cup off an ear, which defeats the object.

Winch handles have more than one use.

 

[Resolution]

Has anyone tried using noise cancelling headphones as a cure for seasickness in stormy weather? It has been suggested that seasickness is partly a result of anxiety caused by stormy noises, in addition to the more-talked about conflict between eyes and inner ears.

 

[roaringgirl]

I use noise cancelling headphones off-watch. If I'm needed when the engine's running, they'd have to come and shake me anyway!

 

[harvey38]

If you're considering spending that kind of money on noise cancelling headphones/plugs, have you considered custom moulded earplugs?

I had some made and they keep out unwanted noise when I have an afternoon kip, super comfy and no batteries to bother about.

 

[Sea-Fever]

My ten pence…..

They would probably be great but it’s just another thing to keep charged isn’t it?

 

[RunAgroundHard]

I own a high end set but have stopped using them in bed, bunk. Very good but they get in the way when rolling about or turning.

I have learned to “zone out” noise and now background noise does not bother me, even engine running. In my opinion, better off without them in this case.

As a by the way, I use them in noisy office when I have to concentrate. Great for that.

 

[38mess]

They do what it says on the tin. I bought a set in the first lockdown to block my noisy neighbour DIY in the garden. Works great.
Edit.
Misread the title, mine are headphones

 

[johnalison]

Might there be a safety issue if you don‘t hear “All hands on deck”?

 

[Kelpie]

Might there be a safety issue if you don‘t hear “All hands on deck”?

Yes, that's one of my concerns, having not used them before.
I sleep in the saloon anyway, so as mentioned above a well aimed winch handle ought to do the trick ?

 

[neil_s]

I had some budget noise cancellers - they only work on regular noise - like the engine running. No good for intermittent noise - so 'All hands!' would get through!

 

[Kelpie]

I had some budget noise cancellers - they only work on regular noise - like the engine running. No good for intermittent noise - so 'All hands!' would get through!

Interesting. Drowning out the engine would certainly be useful. But it's also the flogging of sails, random junk shifting in lockers, etc etc. So maybe the headphones won't be quite the magic bullet I was hoping for.

 

[LiftyK]

Interesting. Drowning out the engine would certainly be useful. But it's also the flogging of sails, random junk shifting in lockers, etc etc. So maybe the headphones won't be quite the magic bullet I was hoping for.

The likes of Sony and Bose really are very good at blocking out the whole spectrum. BlackFriday is approaching- do keep a look out. Mine were purchased last Black Friday. For some reason one colour was far cheaper than the other and also being one generation behind (but still fantastic) made then a sensible price.

Tomorrow I will experiment with being shouted at and let you know how it goes.