Originally created for pilots and those in the aviation industry, noise cancelling headphones are now owned by people everywhere. Despite a higher price point than the average pair of headphones, noise cancelling headphones continue to be popular because they provide a variety of benefits to the user.
Noise cancellation types
There are two types of noise cancellation used to create these specialty headphones: passive noise cancellation and active noise cancellation. In some cases, both methods are found in one pair of headphones.
Passive Noise Cancellation
This type of noise cancellation is also referred to as soundproofing or noise-isolating. It involves creating a seal either in the ear canal with a tightly fit plug or over the ear with thick padded ear covers that shut out noise. This type of soundproofing can be found at a lower cost but come without many of the benefits you can find in active noise cancellation headphones.
Active Noise Cancellation
Active noise control is used in most high-quality noise cancelling headphones. It is a system that uses a microphone to detect ambient noise and then sends out a sound to offset that noise. While you won’t hear the sound being created through active noise control, it will greatly reduce the outside sounds and allow you to listen at a lower volume.
Benefits of noise cancelling headphones
There are many benefits of using noise cancelling headphones that use active noise control. They can protect your hearing, improve the sounds quality of your music, help you sleep better, reduce distractions and even give you some personal space.
Protect Hearing
The ability to off-set ambient and outside noise allows users to play their music at a lower volume, protecting themselves from hearing damage. These types of headphones can also be helpful for shutting out loud noises from construction, lawn mowers, airports and large crowds. They can even be used to protect the hearing and calm small children at loud events like air shows and concerts. Improve
Improves sound quality
Quality of Sound Outside noises can drown out some sounds, reducing the quality of the music you are listening to. Either the songs are compromised, or you turn up the volume and risk your hearing. With noise cancellation, these sounds are offset, allowing you to hear your music as it should sound, without damaging your hearing.
Promotes Better Sleep and quite working environment
Anyone who has worked the night shift and tried to sleep during the day, will know how beneficial noise cancellation can be. Wearing some noise cancelling headphones can improve your quality of sleep, not just for people who need to get rest during the day, but also for those who live in apartments or sleep in the same room as someone who snores.
The sounds of a new city can also interrupt your sleep, so pack your noise cancelling headphones for a good night’s rest. Eliminates kids Distractions, Parents everywhere will understand the need for noise cancelling headphones.
Listening to an important webinar or your favorite podcast is nearly impossible when the kids are running around and making noise. The same can be true in a busy office space when you need to get your work done but there’s too much chatter around you. If you try to take advantage or transit time or your daily walks by listening to recorded calls or meetings, you will also want to cut out the noise around you.
Make Housework More Fun
Playing music while doing housework is a great way to make it more fun, but often the vacuum cleaner, carpet cleaner or steamer will drown out the songs. Wear your noise cancelling headphones and you can enjoy the music without ever having to hear the noisy cleaning equipment. You’re cleaning your house, having fun and saving your hearing at the same time.
Block the outside world
Avoid Social Interactions Any introvert who has sat next to a chatty Cathy on an airplane will understand the need for noise cancelling headphones. Putting in headphones should be a clear message to others that you are unavailable for conversation, but sometimes they just continue to talk. You can clear your conscience by wearing noise cancelling headphones and never even knowing they are talking to you.
This works on the train, subway and almost every other form of public transportation. To Reduce Anxiety Some people, particularly those on the autism spectrum, are overwhelmed by too much noise or stimulation.
A pair of noise cancelling headphones can make a huge difference in the life of someone who is over-stimulated by sound, making them able to integrate publicly without anxiety. Styles of Noise Cancelling Headphones like most others, noise cancelling headphones come in a variety of styles.
They can be purchased as in-ear, ear pads and over the ear. They are available wired and wireless with Bluetooth options. Here is additional information about each style. Earbuds In-ear or earbuds are headphones that fit securely in the ear, usually with a soft silicone ear plug made for comfort and stability, and for some soundproofing.
These are great for use during exercise because they tend to stay put even during rigorous movement. Ear Pads this type of headphone has small ear pads that sit right on the ear. They provide little in the way of soundproofing but with noise cancelling technology, this isn’t a huge concern.
Over the Ear, These larger headphones have padded donuts that sit around the ear rather than right on top of it like the ear pads. These can be great for comfort if you don’t mind the bulk and size of them. These are popular for disc jockeys and the aviation industry, but also with teenagers.
Wired headphones need to be plugged in to work, but many noise cancelling headphones will also require a battery or charging along with the wire, even to work as regular headphones. Wireless noise cancelling headphones work using Bluetooth technology and will need a battery, USB plug or charging in order to function, sometimes even as regular headphones.
With so many options on the market, you are sure to find the noise cancelling headphones that meet your needs. Just remember that they are very effective at shutting out external sounds so they may not be the best choice if walking outdoors or anywhere that you need to be alert to your surroundings.
If you want to buy a pair of safe and comfortable noise cancelling headphones, then below is our list of recommendations based on quality, price and users’ feedback
For more information about noise cancelling headphones and headphones in general you might want to have a look at our list of e-books below
- Your health and headphones
- The In and out of anti-noise headphones
- Evolution of headphones technology
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