Friday, October 19, 2012

Noise-Cancelling Headphones: How Do They Operate?

By Kaylin V. Trammel


Noise-cancellation - a typical enough term. We've all heard of it, also it appears like an ideal thought. But how do noise-cancellation headphones really work? They do not simply block the sound - that is what regular headphones do. Just how do they undertake it?

It all comes down to sound waves. The earphones have microphones that capture the sound waves as they get to your ear, after which electric circuitry creates an "antinoise" transmission. This signal is definitely an inverted copy of the original sound wave, which in turn travel collectively in your ear. The waves hinder one another, called destructive interference, with no sound reaches your own ear.

So why bother? It seems a bit excessive, right? Regular headphones do a very good job of obstructing the sound. Even if your own environments are noisy, you can easily turn your headphones' volume up, right? Well, indeed, obviously you can. However when you are on an airplane, attempting to rest near the roaring engines, and you have a choice between turning up the volume - significantly - and cancelling the noise completely, what will you choose?

Likewise, if you think about this, you are doing yourself a favor. Any time you turn up your headphones to hide the exterior noise, you damage your ears just a little more. You know how when you leave a concert and your ears are ringing? That is harm to your eardrums. So, instead of turning up the volume, you should block out the background noise, and also save your hearing. Eventually, you'll thank yourself later in life.

Personally, I've no desire for noise-cancelling headphones. I am not constantly around loud noises, like in the city, so normal earphones are adequate. However, I reside in a small town. Perhaps somebody in San Francisco, or even NYC, or Los Angeles will find the occasion to use them far more than I might. Everything depends on what you are looking for.

Another option is definitely the happy medium - noise-reducing headphones, which still block ample ambient noise. They don't require electric batteries, are lighter, and, of course, are far less expensive, while retaining very good quality sound. While the noise-cancelling headphones and also the regular headphones have their own niches, the noise-reducing headphones are ideal for any occasion.

Then again, next time I'm on an airplane, I think I will be yearning for those noise-cancelling earphones all the same.




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