Crackling sound in one earcup

If any changes or modifications have been made to either the headset or the aircraft, look into whether or not those changes could have unexpectedly caused this issue.

Due to the angle of the earcups, proper left and right earcup placement is essential for the headset to fit around both ears. The headset's performance can be greatly reduced if the earcup fitment around the ears is poor. For more information, see Wearing and adjusting your product.

The issue may be caused by having the volume setting too low. Increase the volume gradually to the highest setting.

Without adjusting your headset volume, turn up or down the volume control on the aircraft panel. If the noise level changes as well, the noise is related to the signal being received from the panel.

Non-TSO equipment, worn jacks/loose connections, or incorrectly wired jacks (i.e. reversed stereo or mic / ground wires) in the aircraft can cause issues. If available, try connecting the headset to another jack in the aircraft or to jacks in a separate aircraft. If the headset works fine when connected elsewhere, the panel jack or wiring to the jack is the issue.

Your headset works in passive mode (powered off with no noise cancellation). If the issue still occurs while the headset is powered off, the issue is related to signal coming being received by the headset from the aircraft panel (i.e. the connections, wiring, or interference).

Put the audio selector switch on the headset control module in either the middle or top position. (Be sure it is not in the down / Intercom Only position.) Then, disconnect the headset from the panel and connect an audio device to the 3.5 mm aux input on the headset control module. If you have a headset with Bluetooth®, you can connect a Bluetooth device instead: If the issue still occurs with the aux device, there is an issue with the headset; if the issue is not present with the aux device, the issue is related to the panel settings or connections.

Make sure the connectors on the cable and at the headset are both free of debris (dirt, lint, dust, etc.) or damage, which could prevent a proper connection. For more info, see Attaching or moving the boom microphone on the headset.

The connectors at the end of the headset cable might have debris or corrosion on them. Apply a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to a cloth, wipe the metal connectors, then dry them with a clean cloth. Once cleaned and dried, connect the headset and try again.

If the issue only occurs when speaking through the microphone, the Down Cable may be defective. Follow the link for more information on how to service your product. Depending on your product and region, you will be provided a contact number or the ability to setup service online.

Click here to start service

Check for any debris in the connector on the aircraft and check if any of the six pins are missing inside the headset plug.

Note: If the aircraft has a jack for an older model Bose AHX headset that was wired to provide mono audio to the right earcup, the jack will need to be rewired since the electronics in the newer A20 cable differ.

If the steps provided do not resolve your issue, your product may need service. Follow the link below for more information on how to service your product. Depending on your product and region, you will be provided a contact number or the ability to setup service online.

Click here to start service