Muffling Your Mechanical Heart Valve?

[wantabodylikeme]

Hi there,

Wasn't sure where this question belonged, so I opted for this section.

I'm Jake and I'm somewhat new here (I've been a lurker). I had an operation last May after a bout I had with endocarditis that damaged my aortic valve to the point of needing replacing. I was 28 when I had it done, so I chose the mechanical heart valve. I've gotten used to the 'ticking' noise so this isn't really a regular issue for me. My only problem is I'm a film student and an audio guy to be specific, and on sets it needs to be as quiet as possible. I haven't been on a set yet since my surgery, but I have a feeling that it's loud enough to be heard when the camera is on and we're shooting. Because of this, I need to find a way to lessen or muffle the ticking sounds as much as possible.

Any suggestions on doing this? I was thinking about getting a patch of memory foam and placing it on my chest then wrapping an ACE bandage around it to see if it helps. I assume there aren't actual vests out there for this specific problem, which is strange considering the amount of people with mechanical heart valves. My girlfriend jokingly said to get a bulletproof vest since it would be practical and badass lol

 

[harrietW]

Hahaha wow this is something l have not yet considered . Hmmm l am new here to like a creeper. Lol Glad you are doing what you love and l guess we have to do what we have to do .. maybe there is something. I am shocked to learn they are that loud. Yikes.. nothing l hate worse than a ticking noise. Hope you find the answer .. l am waiting for two valves .. l hope atleast the are timed the same lol

 

[Freddie]

Do you have a walk-in closet?
If so, get your girlfriend to be about 3 feet away from you and see if she can hear it.
Can you do a 'dry' run at the studio and see if anyone can hear you?

 

[harrietW]

Seriously guys are they ( mech vales ) really that loud ??

 

[pellicle]

Hi

I do ambient bushrecordings and aand have a Sony PC-M10 and a Zoom H1. I have tested these and find that in out sound studio at work I can hear the tick ONLY if I stand in front or one of the mics and I am 20cm or less from the recorder. I also need the gain so ramped up so as to mean quiet speech maxes out (peaks) the VU's

I think that in any kInd of normal recording you will be fine

Like Freddie suggested, try it.

PS a sample of the birds

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pr7krw9k9x...raween-001.mp3

 

[T in YVR]

@ wantabodylikeme: time to bulk up and gain weight Maybe that will muffle it.....there are alot of varying takes on how loud a valve is. I only really hear mine when I'm laying on my side in bed. Maybe some extra clothing?Do a dry run and see how loud it is...
T

 

[Eva]

Seriously guys are they ( mech vales ) really that loud ??

In my case, I hardly and rarely can hear mines! I can only hear mine after a long tiring day but it is a soothing sound! My grandnieces have fun when I hug them...they can hear it and they enjoy listening to it!

 

[harrietW]

Soothings good , thank you Eva ! I could handle soothing.

 

[epstns]

Don't forget what our late resident guru Ross used to say, "The ONLY time I worry about the sound of my mechanical valve is when it stops ticking."

Seriously, can it really be that loud, and are the mics that sensitive? I do a lot of amateur radio work, and the microphones we use couldn't hear t mechanical heart valve if it was inside them!

Also, do your microphones have extreme sensitivity that high up in the frequency range?

 

[epstns]

Duplicate post. Sorry.

 

[MrsBray]

I can make a cell-phone recording of my ticking in a room with no carpet.
The position i sit while driving my car bounces the sound of the windshield right back at me - no matter how loud i turn up the radio, I can hear myself. The passenger cannot hear it though.
Sometimes, other people can hear me when I cannot hear myself.
My sister could NOT hear me, even when using a stethoscope.
I can't sneak up behind my husband - he can always hear it.
I'm ok with it. Soothing? Yeah, I can see that

 

[djacq]

Well, that's a dilemma! The clicking used to keep me awake and I had to use my earplugs and listen to my I Pod to fall asleep. I became complacent with the sound and didn't realize it was diminishing in volume until it reached the point of being non existent. This was only picked up by a routine echo. I had a clot on the hinge of a valve that kept it from closing. Lesson learned is that I will listen on a regular basis. I had seen multiple doctors and none picked it up. Please keep listening to ensure your click is clicking!!!!!

 

[RobThatsMe]

As long as you are not recording under water you should be ok, (for some reason, I can always hear and feel my valve much louder when snorkeling).
Makes we want to break out thel WD-40 and take a shot!

 

[epstns]

The position i sit while driving my car bounces the sound of the windshield right back at me - no matter how loud i turn up the radio, I can hear myself.

I think you need a better radio!