In a world filled with constant noise, from bustling city streets to crowded airplanes, noise-cancelling headphones have become a popular accessory for those seeking solace in a quieter environment. But beyond offering a blissful escape from the cacophony of everyday life, many wonders: Does noise cancelling protect hearing? Are these earbuds bad for your ears? In this blog, we will delve into the science behind noise-cancelling headphones and explore the different types of noise cancelling headphones. We’ll also introduce effective ways to protect your hearing aside from noise cancelling headphones. So, let’s dive in!
There are two types of noise cancelling technology, active noise cancelling (ANC) and passive noise cancelling (PNC).
Some may ask: Do noise cancelling headphones damage hearing? Does noise cancelling hurt ears? The answer is a straight no. On the contrary, noise cancelling headphones can actually provide some level of protection to your hearing. Below is an analysis of the cases of both ANC and PNC.
ANC: Active noise cancelling headphones work by using microphones to detect external noise and then generating an inverse sound wave to cancel it out. This can help reduce the need to increase the volume to drown out ambient noise, potentially lowering the risk of prolonged exposure to loud sounds. However, ANC technology is more effective at reducing low-frequency sounds, such as airplane engines or background hums, rather than sudden or high-pitched noises. So, do active noise cancelling headphones protect hearing? Yes, at least to some degree.
PNC: Passive noise cancelling headphones create a barrier between the ears and the surrounding environment, reducing the overall sound level. While PNC headphones may not provide the same level of noise reduction as ANC headphones, they can still offer some protection against harmful noise exposure. Moreover, PNC headphones tackle sudden outbursts of noise more effectively than ANC, which is more suitable for prolonged noise.
So, does noise cancelling protect hearing? It does. Both ANC and PNC can shield you from ambient noise more or less.
After learning about the science behind noise cancelling earbuds, as well as studying questions like “Can headphones cause hearing loss”, it is time to get familiarized with different types of noise cancelling and ear protection headphones.
ANC earbuds reduce ambient noise by actively creating an inverse sound wave. Here are some of their common features.
Adjustable Noise Cancellation Levels: Many ANC earbuds, like the Liberty 4 Noise Cancelling Earbuds (viewed by some as the best hearing protection earbuds), offer adjustable levels of noise cancellation. This allows users to customize the amount of external sound they want to block, providing flexibility for different environments and personal preferences.
High-Quality Audio: ANC earbuds prioritize delivering high-quality audio performance. They may feature enhanced drivers, optimized audio profiles, and support for various audio codecs to ensure clear and immersive sound reproduction.
Bluetooth Connectivity: ANC earbuds commonly incorporate Bluetooth technology, allowing wireless connectivity to audio devices such as smartphones, tablets, or laptops. This wireless capability provides freedom of movement without being tethered by cords. The aforementioned Bluetooth hearing protection earbuds Liberty 4, for example, support Bluetooth 5.3 multi-point connection.
Passive noise cancelling earbuds, or PNC earbuds, eliminates environmental noise by mechanical blocking. Typically, PNC headphones employ these features:
Closed-Back Design: PNC headphones typically feature a closed-back design, where the ear cups are completely sealed. This design helps to create a physical barrier that blocks out external noise and prevents sound leakage.
Over-Ear or On-Ear Styles: PNC headphones are available in both over-ear and on-ear styles. Over-ear headphones encompass the entire ear, providing a larger surface area for sound isolation. On-ear headphones rest on the outer ear, offering a more compact design while still providing some level of noise reduction.
Secure Fit: PNC headphones prioritize a secure and snug fit to maximize noise reduction. Some models feature adjustable headbands, swivel ear cups, or ear pads with memory foam that conform to the shape of the listener's head for added comfort and noise isolation.
While noise-cancelling headphones, both passive and active, can help protect your hearing, there are additional measures you can take to safeguard your auditory health as well as stop the earbuds from hurting your ears.
Limit Exposure to Loud Noise: Avoid prolonged exposure to excessively loud sounds, such as concerts, clubs, or machinery without adequate hearing protection.
Use Ear Protection: When engaging in activities that involve loud noises, such as concerts, shooting ranges, or power tool operation, wear proper ear protection. Earplugs or earmuffs can help reduce the volume of sound reaching your ears and protect against potential damage.
Keep Volume Levels in Check: When using headphones or earbuds, be mindful of the volume levels. As a general rule, use the 60/60 rule—listen at no more than 60% of the maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time. Moreover, this sufficiently explains why noise cancelling works: it reduces the need to turn up the volume in noisy environments.
Do noise cancelling headphones protect hearing? As we have seen, noise cancelling headphones, both passive and active, can indeed provide some level of protection for our hearing. They offer a means to create a quieter listening environment, reducing the need to increase volume levels and potentially lowering the risk of prolonged exposure to loud sounds. However, to fully maintain hearing health, responsible usage, such as keeping volume levels in check and taking breaks, is also essential. In short, while noise cancelling headphones can contribute to protecting our hearing, they should be seen as a part of a comprehensive approach to auditory well-being.
ANC stands for Active Noise Cancelling, which is a technology used in headphones to reduce unwanted external noise. ANC headphones employ built-in microphones to capture ambient sounds, such as traffic or background chatter. Advanced algorithms then generate an inverse sound wave that cancels out these external noises. This counteracting sound is played through the headphones, effectively reducing the overall volume of outside disturbances.
As a general guideline, sounds above 85 dB can be harmful if experienced for an extended period. In this case, measures of auditory protection are needed to safeguard against potential hearing loss, like wearing earmuffs or earplugs. If you're not sure that how loud your earbuds are, try to keep the volume no higher than 70% of the maximum volume of your headphones.
In recent years, the popularity of noise-canceling headphones has skyrocketed. With technology rapidly advancing, noise-canceling headphones are no longer a luxury item, but can be found in many households worldwide. However, with the convenience of these headphones also come questions about their effect on hearing health.
Many people wonder, “Does noise canceling protect your ears?” or “Do AirPods protect hearing?” In this blog post, we will dive into the effectiveness of noise-canceling headphones in protecting hearing, address the factors influencing their performance, and provide our insights on the topic.
Let’s start by exploring the science behind noise-canceling headphones and how they work to protect hearing.
Noise-canceling headphones use active noise cancellation (ANC) technology to prevent background sound from reaching your ears. By producing an ‘anti-noise’ signal that cancels out some of the sounds, ANC minimizes the volume of external sounds reaching your ears.
The anti-noise is generated by microphones that detect background sound and create an ‘inverse’ of the noise before it reaches your ears. This creates an opposing waveform that cancels out what the microphone is picking up, reducing the amount of sound hitting your eardrums.
Noise-canceling headphones can effectively reduce noise exposure, but their effectiveness depends on several factors. It’s important to understand how different types of noises affect your hearing health and how much sound intensity is reduced by the ANC.
For instance, low-frequency sounds (think of the rumble of a car engine) require more seal around or in the ear to cancel out than high-frequency sounds. Additionally, noise-canceling headphones are not designed to protect against sudden loud noises, so if you’re exposed to a sudden loud sound such as a gunshot, ANC won’t be able to protect your hearing.
Noise-canceling headphones work best when they fit snugly over your ears. When the seal is imperfect, sound can still enter through the gaps in the ear cup and diminish the noise cancellation effects. It’s important to ensure you have a good seal when using noise-canceling headphones to get the most out of their protective benefits.
Current research on the actual extent of hearing protection offered by noise-canceling headphones is limited. While noise-canceling technology can effectively reduce the perception of external sounds, it does not necessarily eliminate the potential for hearing damage.
In noise-canceling headphones, a microphone captures external sounds, and the internal speaker generates a counteracting sound wave that is 180 degrees out of phase. This process effectively nullifies the external sound at ear level. However, it is important to note that the sound pressure from external noise sources still exists even with active noise cancellation in place.
When it comes to sustained hearing protection over time, simple foam earplugs with slow-release properties are an excellent choice. These affordable and widely available hearing protection devices provide a reliable and effective barrier against harmful noise levels, making them a popular choice for long-term use.
Slow-release foam earplugs are designed to expand gradually once inserted into the ear canal, ensuring a snug and secure fit. This controlled expansion helps to create an effective seal against noise, reducing the sound transmission to your ears and offering a high level of noise reduction.
The amount of noise reduction necessary to protect your hearing depends on the intensity and duration of the sounds you’re exposed to. Different noise levels call for varying degrees of hearing protection, and understanding the specific requirements of your situation is crucial in ensuring optimal hearing safety.
Noise levels are typically measured in decibels (dB). Prolonged exposure to sounds exceeding 85 dB can cause hearing damage, and the risk increases with higher decibel levels and longer durations of exposure. For instance, a rock concert with noise levels around 110 dB would require greater hearing protection than a busy city street, which usually falls in the range of 70-85 dB. To determine the appropriate level of noise reduction, it’s essential to assess your environment and identify the potential hazards.
When considering hearing protection, it’s important to take into account whether you also want to introduce other sounds, such as music or podcasts, while reducing external noise. Striking a balance between effective noise reduction and enjoying personal audio is essential to ensure both hearing protection and an enjoyable listening experience.
For those worried about hearing protection, it’s important to evaluate the noise levels of your environment and identify what level of sound reduction is necessary for protection.
Noise-canceling headphones can greatly reduce external noise and introduce personal sound, but it’s important to note that they aren’t a complete solution.
For maximum hearing protection over time, slow-release foam or custom earplugs are the best choice. At Hill Hear Better Clinic, our experienced audiologists can provide comprehensive advice and guidance on the best products and practices for hearing protection. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help protect your hearing.