How often do you replace your headset cushions?

How often do you replace your headset cushions?

  • Every 6 months

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Every 18 months

    Votes: 3 7.7%

  • Every 350 hours

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • When they start falling apart

    Votes: 33 84.6%

  • Never

    Votes: 3 7.7%
  • Total voters
    39
A

asicer

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asicer
Bose says to replace them every 6 months or 350 hours. Lightspeed says to replace the ear seals, head pads and mic muffs every 18 months.
 
One of my Zulus came with "free" refresh kits every six months for 18 months (so three of them lol). That was 4-5 years ago, and I still have 1 unopened. 2-3 years or 350ish hours is about how long it takes for them to get flaky. I think it's mainly hours because I have another zulu that's about 6 months newer and still on the original set. Those are Teresa's, so they don't get worn nearly as much.
 
Every year (average 6-700 hrs year, half of that the headset is off though)

If you’re using ANR and you don’t have good seals the system just ain’t going to work right
 
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I bought my David Clark headsets around 1989 and have never had to replace the cushions. I have replaced the cloth covers a few times, but can't remember the last time. And I use them many times each week.
 
asicer said:
Bose says to replace them every 6 months or 350 hours. Lightspeed says to replace the ear seals, head pads and mic muffs every 18 months.
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The Bose (or cheaper OEM) split about every 350 hours so that makes sense.
 
I replaced my Telex cushions 2.5 years ago. Took them 6 years to fall apart. Replaced the mic muff last year. Took that 8 years to fall apart
 
In ear Clarity Alofts changed on condition. Likely it's 6 months or less.
 
asicer said:
Bose says to replace them every 6 months or 350 hours. Lightspeed says to replace the ear seals, head pads and mic muffs every 18 months.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure why anyone would replace any of those on anything other than "on condition". It's not like they are a safety-critical part that's going to suddenly fail.
 
I don’t let it go beyond 18 months on my A20. I start to hear a bit of degradation in the ANR performance around that time, and I can tell the difference when I install the refresh kit which restores the performance to new.
 
DesertNomad said:
I am flying about that during spring and summer, just as a part time CFI and flying my own plane.
Click to expand...
I initially thought that 350hrs in 6 month wasn't me, 400/hr is about the most I usually do. But then thinking about I I don't fly a lot in winter. June and July is often up to about a 100 hrs in my sailplane flying competition and other soaring events. So 350 in a six month period is on the higher side for me but, I probably tend to fly that much during summer with my Soaring and Part time CFI work. On the other hand I don't wear a head set in the sailplane.

For the OP I replace them when they start falling part or have other issues. Or I when the factory did it for me when I send them back for repair.
My Zulu's had the Microphone fail
I did have an issue after that repair, the Ear Cushion would not stay on, after replacing the ear cushion a couple times I finally ended up sending the headset back to them again to fix that. Was all covered under warranty. Not sure what the issue was I suspect the ear cup was damaged (mis-shaped) during the microphone repair.

Brian
 
I seriously couldn't endure the frustration of replacing the ear muffs on my Bose A20's more frequently than once every 7 years. :)
 
Gilbert Buettner said:
I bought my David Clark headsets around 1989 and have never had to replace the cushions. I have replaced the cloth covers a few times, but can't remember the last time. And I use them many times each week.
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I replaced the cushions on mine, but went from the original foam to gel ones.
 
David Loftus said:
On condition. First time I replaced with genuine $$$ Bose A20 pads, since then I have found much less expensive knockoffs that work great on Amazon:

Replacement Ear Pads for Bose Aviation A20, Earpads Cushions Compatible with Bose Aviation Headset X A10 A20, Durable Leather Slow Rebound Memory Foam (Black)
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I use these knockoffs as well. Seems like about once a year, I start noticing little black flakes on my ears after flying and I know it's time to change the ear pads again. I'm always suprised at how much better the sound quality is with new ones. It gets worse slowly over time, so you don't notice it.
 
RussR said:
I'm not sure why anyone would replace any of those on anything other than "on condition". It's not like they are a safety-critical part that's going to suddenly fail.
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It’s a headset, so somewhat safety, but not critical

The foam ages, as it gets older it doesn’t seal as well and the ANR system doesn’t work as well

For a passive headset it’s not really that much of a big deal
 
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