Noise canceling headphones

[Bluefish]

This is the answer.

Noise cancelling headphones or earbuds DO NOT protect your hearing. Stop using them when you need hearing protection.

I would argue they do offer some protection, but it is not as good as an occluding style of hearing protection. By design, active noise cancellation only works on repetitive sounds. The ear pc has to make anti noise to cancel out the noise and to do this they sample the noise then make the same noise 180 deg out. So they do not offer any protection to impulse noise, ie gunfire. Also why it takes a second or two for it to start working. Why it works for things like engine noise on an airplane, but does nothing for the baby crying next to you.

The other downfall of active noise cancellation is the frequency response. If you can get ahold of the actual response of the device, it will probably show that it only works well for low frequency sound.

There is some debate if active noise can cause hearing damage for loud sounds as the ear may still be exposed to high pressure levels as it takes a equal pressure to cancel a similar level wave and if they are not exactly 180 out you get hit by the pressure from the speaker.

 

[Jimbuck]

I picked up the Technics AZ-100 on sale this Spring and they've been the best I've used so far.

 

[Jpsmith1]

I would argue they do offer some protection, but it is not as good as an occluding style of hearing protection. By design, active noise cancellation only works on repetitive sounds. The ear pc has to make anti noise to cancel out the noise and to do this they sample the noise then make the same noise 180 deg out. So they do not offer any protection to impulse noise, ie gunfire. Also why it takes a second or two for it to start working. Why it works for things like engine noise on an airplane, but does nothing for the baby crying next to you.

The other downfall of active noise cancellation is the frequency response. If you can get ahold of the actual response of the device, it will probably show that it only works well for low frequency sound.

There is some debate if active noise can cause hearing damage for loud sounds as the ear may still be exposed to high pressure levels as it takes a equal pressure to cancel a similar level wave and if they are not exactly 180 out you get hit by the pressure from the speaker.

The sound pressure level of the "anti noise" is the same which is why it's "quiet" that same pressure is what causes hearing damage. Great for some applications but not at all for hazardous sounds like lawnmowers and chainsaws.

No reputable hearing specialist recommends them as protection and i suspect we're going to see a whole nother bunch of half deaf adults (like me) wondering why because they had ear buds in all the time.

 

[Redmcx45]

Curious if we are all talking the same language? The Axil Xcor are designed for shooting. 29db SNR. Are we saying NO noise canceling ear buds are shooting safe or that noise cancelling earbuds like the Apple earpods arent safe? They aren't designed for shooting and I think there should be a clear distinction.

 

[Jpsmith1]

Curious if we are all talking the same language? The Axil Xcor are designed for shooting. 29db SNR. Are we saying NO noise canceling ear buds are shooting safe or that noise cancelling earbuds like the Apple earpods arent safe? They aren't designed for shooting and I think there should be a clear distinction.

Noise canceling is not enough.

I use Isotunes at work with a 25NRR. Some of the things I've seen recommended like Air Pods do not have an actual NRR and would be unsafe for long duration activities at dangerous sound levels.


Although, based on how noise canceling works, I think I would have some concerns about using them even with NRR rated buds or muffs.

 

[displacedtexan]

Curious if we are all talking the same language? The Axil Xcor are designed for shooting. 29db SNR. Are we saying NO noise canceling ear buds are shooting safe or that noise cancelling earbuds like the Apple earpods arent safe? They aren't designed for shooting and I think there should be a clear distinction.

Your's aren't noise canceling.

They actually physically block the sound waves, which is what protects you're hearing.

You still hear it some, but it's purely designed for protection.

 

[brancher147]

This is the answer.

Noise cancelling headphones or earbuds DO NOT protect your hearing. Stop using them when you need hearing protection.

I wear my noise canceling earbuds with over the ear muffs when I need hearing protection

 

[Redmcx45]

Your's aren't noise canceling.

They actually physically block the sound waves, which is what protects you're hearing.

You still hear it some, but it's purely designed for protection.

Yeah, that’s my point. Think people are using the terms noise cancellation and noise compression synonymously like I just did.