Noise Cancelling Headphones - The Basics of How They Block Unwanted Noise9686669

You will find basically two types of headphones developed to reduce background noise. Passive noise cancelling headphones and real time noise reduction. The passive type muffles extraneous sounds as the active ones electronically decrease external noise.

Passive-

Passive noise cancelling headsets use what is called circum-aural sound dampening design. They're shaped like just one cup, which surrounds the ear. The rim of the cup is made of a high-density foam and sound wave dampening material. This results in a seal that blocks approximately 20 dB of noise.

Active-

The active noise cancellation headphones produce an additional 20dB of noise reduction compared to the passive type. It employs the same technology (circum-aural sound dampening design) as the passive headphones but in addition incorporates phase cancellation. This is the key feature of active noise cancelling headphones. A microphone is placed inside the headphone that sees external noise the aural cushions from the passive headphones are unable to block out. The phase cancelling technologies are able to analyze the intensity and frequency with the pitch, also called the loudness and pitch of the noise. The circuitry then creates a precise replica of the noise and throws it 180 degrees out-of-phase. This, for those intents and purposes, eliminates the sound.

The headphone speaker then plays this "non-sound" together with whatever it is that you are listening to. This artificial noise is the exact opposite with the extraneous noise that means it is past the ear cushions. They then cancel one another out due to the 180-degree phase reversal. Because of this the external noise is reduced significantly, letting you enjoy your audio using a dramatic decline in background noise.

These types of headphones are ideal for airplanes or any place where there is a lot of external noise. On airplanes, for instance, this type of noise reduction while using headphones will dramatically reduce fatigue.

Another among the two is the active type needs a power source, often a battery.

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