Date: 201906
Aircraft: A320
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Aircraft component: Communication Systems
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Pre-flight
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Procedure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: Airbus A320 fleet has a problem that I have not observed in my years of flying the Boeing fleet. The headset microphone jacks (The US type; with separate microphone and headphone jacks; not the European style integrated ones found in some aircraft) installed on the aircraft wear out with use and stop working. Unfortunately; they stop working with the personal aviation noise canceling Bose headsets that some of us use; while still working with company supplied headsets found on the aircraft. Discussing this issue with company mechanics I was told that the microphone plug found on Bose headset has slightly different shape than the one found on company supplied headsets; even though they are both TSO-approved. (How is that possible I do not know). The microphone jacks on Airbus fleet wear out with use; and the little metal connectors inside them bend out of shape and no longer make contact with inserted microphone plugs. To remedy the problem mechanics can replace the offending jacks; or disassemble them to bend the metal connectors back into original positions.The problem is - when we find out that the microphone on our Bose headset no longer works in a given aircraft and make a logbook entry to that effect; the mechanics test it with company provided headset and sign it off as 'ops tests OK'. When we tell them that the jacks; while noticeably loose; still work with company provided headsets but no longer with our Bose headsets; they shrug 'it's your problem' and refuse to do anything about it.I have a problem with the above attitude; since the company allows us to use personal headsets; per FOM (Flight Operations Manual):'Personal Headset. Only non-modified TSO-approved headset or ear piece and boom microphone devices are authorized for use. Operate and maintain all devices in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.'Furthermore; good personal headsets are of higher quality; more comfortable (I wear mine for the entire duration of every flight; while nobody does it with company supplied headsets); provide better sound fidelity (I miss fewer ATC calls and don't have to ask ATC to repeat transmission using my headset); reduce fatigue; and reduce hearing loss due to their superior noise reduction characteristics compared with company provided headsets.The company should educate the maintenance personnel about this problem and about the importance of keeping the microphone jacks in good repair so they work properly with all TSO-approved headsets; not just the company supplied headsets.




Synopsis: A320 pilot reported company mechanics are resistant to maintenance action on headset jacks that don't work with personal headsets but do work with company provided headsets.