How Noise-Canceling Works in Headphones

Yes, noise-cancellation earphones work and make music sound crystal clear for you. If you want to listen to music other than in a soundproof room or a commuter, no better upgradation is available for you than noise canceling earbuds. The majority of people believe that you have to spend more if you want to enjoy a better sound quality. That is partially true. Instead, what you need is to prevent external noise that could overpower or compromise your music before it reaches you. What it further means is that there is a difference between sound and noise.

Moreover, there are two types of noise canceling that headphone use; active noise canceling (ANC) and passive noise canceling (PNC). There are many brands that have tried their hand at ANC and become masters of this technology and it is one of their major selling points. Let’s know does noise canceling works and if yes how. But it is necessary to first differentiate between noise and sound.

Difference between Sound and Noise

In order to comprehend how to cancel noise, it is significant first to know what noise and sound are. Sound is the compression and decompression of the particles in the medium that flow for our purposes. Imagine sound as a ripple that moves through the air. These particles create rapid and slight changes in air pressure. The measure of these changes in air pressure is called amplitude. Your brain and ear decipher and detect these changes in pressure as sound. The measurement/size of amplitude is proportional to the volume of the sound. The larger the amplitude, the louder sound it will create.

Sound can be pleasant or unpleasant, and wanted and unwanted. A very loud, unwanted, and unpleasant sound is called noise. Let’s know how it works.

How Active Noise Canceling Works

Active noise canceling means referring to special circuitry that lies inside your earphones. It tricks you to think that there is no sound around you.

• Tiny microphones that are embedded within your pair “listen” ambient sound of the outside world.
• Electronics within your earbuds produce a sound wave that is 180 degrees out of phase with the outside sound and literally cancels the ambient sound out.
• As a result, you get a soundproof island where only silence resides. Now you can enjoy your favorite music without noise.

Since active noise canceling requires extra electronics, headphones with this feature ease up your battery more quickly. Therefore, you should carry some extra batteries if you want to pair this pair. And if the model you are using has a charging cable, you must keep that handy too.

How Passive Noise Canceling Works

Let’s be first clear about passive noise canceling earphones. Nothing happens inside this pair of earbuds that cancels or blocks ambient noise. Unlike headphones with active noise canceling, you will not find any special electronics inside pairs that have passive noise canceling. Due to this reason, these models are called “noise-isolating,” earphones.

Except for conventions, you will get these sets as either:

1. Over-ear, closed-back products that isolate you from ambient noise, or
2. In-ear pairs that make a tight seal avoid sound from penetrating in and interrupting the music

What you should keep in mind is that lack of noise-canceling circuitry does make them inferior to their active noise-canceling counterparts. High-quality pairs do an excellent job of separating the user even when they don’t have any special electronic wizardry.

Noise Cancelation and Use of Microphones

In order to produce anti-noise, the pair must constantly sample and monitor ambient noise by using small built-in microphones. After they “listen” to the ambient sound in the surrounding, the onboard electronics take them from there. The earphones produce a sound that is totally opposite to the sound wave to block or cancel it out. After this, all you hear is the sound that comes from your device, not from anything outside.

No doubt, what is said above is all theoretical. Practically, noise canceling is far from perfection and difficult to do. Constant noises such as low hums of airplanes are easier to cancel and recognize as compared to random, sudden noises such as talk of people.