Noise Cancelling Headphones - The Basics of How They Block Unwanted Noise2376723

There are basically 2 kinds of headphones designed to reduce background noise. Passive noise cancelling headphones and app for noise cancelling. The passive type muffles extraneous sounds even though the active ones electronically decrease external noise.

Passive-

Passive noise cancelling headsets use what is known as circum-aural sound dampening design. They may be shaped like just one cup, which surrounds the ear. The rim with this cup consists 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 provide an additional 20dB of noise reduction compared to passive type. It employs exactly the same technology (circum-aural sound dampening design) as the passive headphones but also incorporates phase cancellation. Here is the key feature of active noise cancelling headphones. A microphone is placed inside the headphone that sees external noise how the aural cushions with the passive headphones can't block out. The phase cancelling technology is able to analyze the intensity and frequency with the pitch, also referred to as the loudness and pitch with the noise. The circuitry then creates an exact replica of the noise and throws it 180 degrees out-of-phase. This, for many intents and purposes, eliminates the sound.

The headphone speaker then plays this "non-sound" in addition to whatever it is that you're listening to. This artificial noise will be the exact opposite of the extraneous noise that makes it past the ear cushions. They cancel the other person out as a result of 180-degree phase reversal. Consequently the external noise is reduced significantly, letting you enjoy your audio with a dramatic reduction in background noise.

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

Another distinction between the two would be that the active type needs a power source, normally a battery.

Noise cancelling headphones are generally larger and heavier that regular headsets or earphones. They can, however, be more comfortable when worn for long periods of time as a result of large cushions that impose less pressure on the ears.