Noise-cancelling headphones are more than just a luxury—they represent advanced engineering that makes listening in noisy environments far more pleasant. There are two main components: passive noise isolation and active noise cancellation (ANC).

Passive Isolation

This is the simpler of the two: headphones or earbuds physically block external sound. Depth and material of the ear cups or ear tips, tight seal, padding, and the design all help. Thick cushions, closed-back or over-ear cups, and snug fits all contribute. These features alone reduce mid- and high-frequency noises (voices, doors slamming, etc.). If you need any information on this article-related topic, click here. noise cancelling headphones earbuds

Active Noise Cancellation

ANC deals especially well with low-frequency, steady noises: the hum of an airplane engine, air conditioning units, traffic rumble. It works by using one or more microphones to pick up ambient sound, then generating a sound wave that is the inverse (i.e. phase-inverted) of that ambient noise. These sound waves combine with the external noise in a process called destructive interference, thereby cancelling out much of the unwanted sound.

There are different kinds of ANC:

Feedforward ANC, where a mic outside (in front of) the ear captures the noise, processes it, then produces cancellation.

Feedback ANC, where a mic inside the earcup captures what actually gets to the ear (after isolation), to correct residual noise.

Hybrid systems, combining both, tend to perform better across a wider range of frequencies.