Noise-cancelling headphones reduce the volume of ambient noise by using a microphone to pick up that outside sound, triggering an opposing sound wave that neutralizes it. The process requires a substantial amount of electricity and has been known to damage user's ears.

It’s no secret that we live in a noisy world. With the constant hum of traffic, the conversations from nearby tables, and the sounds from your TV or computer speakers, it can make sitting in silence something of a luxury....

Noise-cancelling headphones

While noise-cancelling headphones can be a godsend for frequent flyers, they’re not without their risks. Anyone who has ever made or received a call on a mobile phone knows that holding the device up to your ear can hurt

If you use noise-cancelling headphones, make sure you are listening at moderate levels. The best rule of thumb is to listen to music at 60 percent of the maximum volume, or less. Slowly raise it until you hear distortion or any other sounds that are uncomfortably loud.

How exactly is noise-cancelling created?

Noise-cancelling is achieved by using carefully calibrated microphones to measure the intensity of noise around you and triggering opposing sounds through your headphone speakers. For example, if you are in a plane, the plane engine would be measured and its sound waves would be distorted or cancelled with opposing sound waves to mitigate the problem...

Noise-cancelling headphones are not neutral sounding unless properly equalised

Is Active noise-cancelling better than passive?

Noise-cancelling works better than passive headphones because it stops ambient noise reaching your ears in the first place. It doesn’t block the ear canal like isolating headphones do, and some experts suggest it’s actually better for your hearing health in the long run

In my experience, they are very comfortable. I have been using them for hours at a time without any discomfort

A hidden gem of good noise cancelling is that you can listen to them at lower volumes. In turn this is much safer for your hearing over time and beats out most sealed isolating headphones in terms of preventing damage from loud listening habits

Do noise-cancelling headphones make your ears feel weird?

You may get a pressure like feeling in your temples for a few minutes, but it usually goes away after a few minutes of wear. If you were warned about feeling the pressure then that’s probably why it happens. I’ve never had any problems with that. You may want to pop your ears a couple times.

Some people think that noise-cancelling headphones actually block out the sound. It doesn’t work that way. The rush of air from your ears during normal movement is what makes them sound like they are blocking out the noise

In most cases, using traditional earmuffs or isolating headphones will block out more outside noise than a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. In fact, most “noise isolating” headphones tend to push the ambient sounds into your ears instead of cancelling them, causing a pressure sensation in your head and making everyday sounds seem louder

Does noise-cancelling hurt sound quality?

Yes and no. If you listen to a music at a range of volumes, noise-cancelling headphones will be the same quality as the original recording. But if you listen at lower levels, they become equivalent to high-end noise isolating headphones that reduce ambient sounds

Do headphones sound better without noise-cancelling?

Noise cancelling will sound better than the original while it’s activated, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will benefit sound quality overall.

The key is to use the right volume to ensure you are not damaging your hearing. Listen at moderate volumes, and test to ensure you aren’t hearing anything uncomfortable. As with any headphones, make sure to keep them away from other people

Some users report feeling like their ears are clogged after long-term use of noise-cancelling headphones.

If you have bulky, expensive headphones, these will sound the best.

Do noise Cancelling headphones get worse over time?

Yes. When noise-cancelling headphones are brand new, they work better than traditional isolating headphones at blocking outside noise. However, as time goes on, the effectiveness of the technology decreases

After a few months of use, you may find that they’re not as effective as they used to be.

Why do my ears hurt after wearing headphones?

Listener fatigue. Having a pair of noise cancelling headphones can make you fatigued from over-compensating for the fatigue from your headphone to prevent any uncomfortable pressure in your ears. If you find that you just need to step away from your music in order to recover , it may be a sign that you’ve got too much going on in terms of volume and just need a break

Is it bad to sleep with noise cancelling headphones?

Yes. It is not necessarily bad for your hearing, but the actual pressure on your ears is uncomfortable. You wouldn’t want to sleep with them on overnight or all night.

Is it safe to wear noise cancelling headphones on a plane?

Yes. But be careful not to turn them up so loud that you risk damaging your hearing. It’s better to wear them at a lower volume and be more mindful of how loud the ambient noise is around you. Also, make sure that you’re not wearing headsets as they may block out certain safety announcements as well as some of the ambient noise from the plane

How long do noise-cancelling headphones last?

It depends on the headphone. If the noise-cancelling headphones are good like "Bose" then 5 to 8 years. If they are very cheap, then 6 months to a year.

Does noise-cancelling drain the battery?

Yes. The more noise cancelling the headphones have, the longer they will last. So if you are constantly using it at max volume, you will need to replace the battery more often. Usually the battery will last for about 75% of the time than using normal batteries

Does using headphones cause tinnitus?

Yes. Using headphones at the level that it is at could lead to tinnitus. Even those who don’t have those issues can still experience ear fatigue from wearing headphones for extended periods of time

In most cases, there are many solutions to prevent or treat tinnitus, including medication which can be prescribed by your doctor as a first-line treatment, as well as some earbuds that have noise-cancelling technology built in to them.

Is Active noise-cancelling worth it?

Yes. In most cases, active noise-cancelling headphones are worth it. I have a pair myself and I love them. They’re comfortable and really work well for blocking out noise

Conclusion

Active noise-cancelling headphones are worth it. If you’re looking to enjoy your music at high volumes while using headphones, these are the best options.

Noise cancelling headphones take a bit of getting used to, but they’re definitely worth it.

If you’re looking for cheaper options, you can always try traditional isolating headphones or earmuffs instead. But be careful because they won’t block out unwanted sounds like ambient noises and they can make your hearing worse after prolonged periods of use.

Do they hurt my ears? No. Will you want to take them off after a few hours? That’s up to you.