{"id":111934,"date":"2018-11-14T23:04:21","date_gmt":"2018-11-14T22:04:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=111934"},"modified":"2025-07-01T22:44:43","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T05:44:43","slug":"how-headphone-noise-cancellation-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/how-headphone-noise-cancellation-works\/","title":{"rendered":"How headphone noise cancellation works"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"headphones\"<\/p>\n

Headphones can reduce distractions for the user by blocking incoming sound in one of two ways: passive and active<\/strong>. If you’ve ever wondered how they work, let us tell you the exciting story of…<\/p>\n

How headphone noise cancellation works<\/h2>\n

Passive<\/h3>\n

Passive noise reduction works much as you’d expect: the headphones create a physical barrier that stops noise from reaching your ears.<\/p>\n

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How to choose a gaming headset<\/p>\r\n READ NOW \u25ba<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n

Although headphones can’t block all incoming noises, the effectiveness increases as more of your ear is covered, and the design of the headphones improve.<\/p>\n

\"Earbuds\"
Earbuds block the least amount of sound. However…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Blockage\"
Some earbuds come with plastic stoppers to reduce noise.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Heaphoo\"
Over-ear headphones block more sound. Some only go ON the ear, however.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Fully over-ear headphones have the greatest potential for passive noise cancellation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Active<\/h3>\n

This is where things get interesting!<\/p>\n

Higher-level headphones come equipped with active noise cancellation:<\/strong> they literally use sound to block other incoming noises, thus creating a clearn listening environment around your ears.<\/p>\n

That’s pretty cool!<\/p>\n

But how does blocking sound with sound work? To put it simply: sound travels in waves, which are picked up by receptors in the human ear. When two sound waves that are in perfect opposition (180 degrees out of phase) collide, they cancel each other out. Imagine ocean waves smashing each other, reduced to utter nothingness!<\/p>\n

Better yet, watch this awesome science video for a clear example:<\/p>\n