The Quiet Danger of Noise-Canceling Headphones

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the potential downsides of using noise-canceling headphones, despite their benefits for hearing protection. It explores the myth that active noise cancellation (ANC) is dangerous and can cause ear pain, nausea, and headaches, and provides a more nuanced explanation for the discomfort some people experience.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Noise-Canceling Headphones: Pros and Cons

1. What are the potential benefits of noise-canceling headphones?

• They can reduce the overall noise levels you're exposed to, which is good for your hearing
• They allow you to listen to music at lower volumes, preventing hearing impairment from prolonged exposure to loud sounds

2. What are the potential downsides of noise-canceling headphones?

• They can cause a "listening loss" by altering your brain's neural pathways and perception of sound
• Your brain may overcompensate for the lack of background noise, leading to disorientation, pressure in the head and ears, and difficulty processing sound at normal levels

3. How does the brain react to total silence experienced with noise-canceling headphones?

• The brain is not naturally adapted to experience complete silence, so people can feel disoriented and experience pressure in the head and ears when using noise-canceling headphones in a very quiet environment
• This disconnect between what you're experiencing and what you're hearing can be problematic

[02] The Myth of Dangerous Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

1. What is the myth surrounding the safety of ANC technology?

• There is a conspiracy theory that ANC is dangerous because it puts harmful pressure on the eardrum
• However, this is not quite accurate according to the expert interviewed

2. What is the actual explanation for the discomfort some people experience with ANC?

• The discomfort is not due to harmful pressure on the eardrum, but rather because not hearing your environment is unnatural for the brain
• The brain overcompensates by turning up its internal gain, leading to a "listening loss" and difficulty processing sound at normal levels

3. How does the study on earplugs support the idea of "listening loss" from audio deprivation?

• A study found that 11 out of 17 subjects who wore earplugs for a week developed tinnitus, a condition where someone perceives a ringing or buzzing noise
• This suggests that audio deprivation can affect how the brain processes sound, even if the ears are unharmed

[03] The Tradeoffs of Using Noise-Canceling Headphones

1. What is the tradeoff when using noise-canceling headphones?

• While ANC can be good for your ears by reducing noise exposure, it can also alter your brain's listening ability and make it difficult to process sound at normal levels
• Your brain is operating in an "altered gain state" when using ANC, which can be problematic if you spend too much time in this state

2. How do the "big tech companies" contribute to the issues with noise-canceling headphones?

• The article suggests that tech companies have "co-opted our listening habits, monetized it, and sold it back to us"
• Their solution of noise-canceling headphones is seen as creating a "listening problem" rather than fully solving the hearing problem

3. When is the best time to use noise-canceling headphones?

• Noise-canceling headphones are most beneficial when you are exposed to excess noise, such as on trains, planes, or in noisy cities
• In quieter environments, it may be better to avoid using them and instead listen to the natural sounds around you