Noise Cancelling Headphones - The Basics of How They Block Unwanted Noise2442221

You will find basically two kinds of headphones created to reduce background noise. Passive noise cancelling headphones and background noise reduction. The passive type muffles extraneous sounds even though the active ones electronically decrease external noise.

Passive-

Passive noise cancelling headsets use what is called circum-aural sound dampening design. They are shaped like a single cup, which surrounds the ear. The rim of the cup is constructed of a high-density foam and sound wave dampening material. This results in a seal that blocks as much as 20 dB of noise.

Active-

The active noise cancellation headphones produce an additional 20dB of noise reduction compared to passive type. It employs the identical technology (circum-aural sound dampening design) as the passive headphones but in addition incorporates phase cancellation. Here is the key feature of active noise cancelling headphones. A microphone is put inside the headphone that accumulates external noise how the aural cushions with the passive headphones cannot block out. The phase cancelling technology is able to analyze the intensity and frequency of the pitch, also known as the loudness and pitch from the noise. The circuitry then creates a precise replica of the noise and throws it 180 degrees out-of-phase. This, for all intents and purposes, eliminates the sound.

The headphone speaker then plays this "non-sound" together with whatever it is that you will be listening to. This artificial noise may be the exact opposite from the extraneous noise that means it is past the ear cushions. Then they cancel each other out as a result of 180-degree phase reversal. Consequently the external noise is reduced significantly, enabling you to enjoy your audio using a dramatic reduction in background noise.

These kind of headphones are perfect for airplanes or anywhere where there is much external noise. On airplanes, for example, this type of noise reduction while using the headphones will dramatically reduce fatigue.

Another difference between the two would be that the active type takes a power source, usually a battery.

Noise cancelling headphones are usually larger and heavier that regular headsets or earphones. They could, however, become more comfortable when worn for too long periods of time as a result of large cushions that impose less pressure about the ears.