What a lot of us are seeking these days is a little bit of peace and quiet. While you can’t exactly go shopping for “quiet,” noise-cancelling headphones can be the next best thing, and you can shop for those! Whether it is during a workday, a commute, or an international flight (one day), noise-cancelling headphones can be helpful, as a purchase for yourself, or as a gift, to help filter out unnecessary noise.
What do noise-cancelling headphones do?
Noise-cancelling headphones use active noise control to detect ambient sounds to create an “anti-noise,” which helps to dampen outside sound. Before we get into the benefits of this style of headphone, you might want to know the specific difference between active noise cancelling and ambient noise-cancelling.
The difference between active and ambient noise-cancelling headphones
Active noise cancelling uses technology in your headphones to reduce background noise. This is the most common style of noise-cancelling and you’ll find it in over-ear headphones and wireless in-ear headphones.
Adaptive noise cancellation uses microphones and speakers to` digitally assess and adjust to your surroundings. This style of noise cancellation will automatically block surrounding sound in whatever environment you’re in.
No matter which you choose, the benefits of this style of headphone are many. Here are five reasons why they should be on your tech wish list.
Increased concentration
Whether you are working from home or going into the office, there is likely a lot of background noise. This type of headphone can help you concentrate on your tasks, helping to increase your productivity.
Reduce hearing loss
Hearing loss is becoming a more prevalent problem as high-intensity sounds become more commonplace due to loud music or workplace-related sounds. Unfortunately, headphone music can be the main culprit behind hearing loss if you listen to music too loud to block out ambient sounds.
By using noise-cancelling headphones, music or podcasts don’t need to be turned up as high, which can help reduce hearing loss.
Better audio experience
If you are trying to use headphones in a loud environment, you quickly realize that your audio experience is significantly compromised. Choosing noise-cancelling headphones allows you to turn down the volume and let the richness of your audio file come through. Because these headphones help you tune out the noise, you’ll be able to concentrate on what really matters: your music.
Ambient or HearThrough mode
Sometimes, you might not want to completely block out the world. You might be walking home late at night or want to hear what is happening while still listening to music. Noise-cancelling headphones often also feature ambient mode or hear-through technology which pipes in the sounds around you while still keeping music, podcasts and audio playing. This gives you heightened awareness for safety and security.
Great for travellings
Travelling is becoming a thing again, and you’ll want to have a good pair of headphones along for the trip. If you are in a high-traffic area with a lot of chatter, this can be great if you are trying to concentrate on a book or work. They are also useful on a long flight to drown out the drone of the airplane.
Noise-cancelling headphones to help you sleep
Sleep problems are also a prevalent problem that most of us face, and one of the biggest causes is ambient noise when we’re trying to drift off. If you have a partner that snores, have to sleep during the day or other off-hours, or live in a busy area, having access to quiet as you sleep can be a game-changer. This style of headphones can deliver this cocoon of silence.
Great for work or Zoom calls
These days a solid pair of headphones can be a lifesaver if you’re working from home or need to take calls for work. They can block out distractions and let you focus on your meetings; and because you can get in-ear earbuds or bigger over-ear models, you can make it obvious you’re working or be discrete.
Reduced stress
Studies have shown that children who live in neighbourhoods with constant background noise have significantly higher stress levels than children who live in quieter homes. As adults, people who have constant noise are more likely to suffer from anxiety or health issues.
Having access to noise-cancelling headphones can have hidden benefits for your health as well. When you think about it, if your neighbour is constantly moving the lawn before the sun is up, or the playground across the street is a hotbed of screeching and squeals, tuning that out successfully can lower your stress levels significantly.
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