Research shows that ANC for prolonged periods may actually cause some damage to your hearing!
I will go into detail on why this is happening, and whether it's safe to continue prolonged use of ANC.
A very important thread.
I will go into detail on why this is happening, and whether it's safe to continue prolonged use of ANC.
A very important thread.
Categories:
1. How do we hear things?
2. How does ANC work?
3. ANC is actually beneficial in some ways
4. How ANC is impacting hearing for some people
5. Good vs Bad research
6. How long should you use it?
7. We aren't taking ear health seriously enough
8. Misc
9. Conclusion
1. How do we hear things?
2. How does ANC work?
3. ANC is actually beneficial in some ways
4. How ANC is impacting hearing for some people
5. Good vs Bad research
6. How long should you use it?
7. We aren't taking ear health seriously enough
8. Misc
9. Conclusion
1. How do we hear things?
This will sound like a middle school lesson, but it's important to the context. (Oversimplified), your ears are one part of a two part equation.
1: Sound waves enter through the outer ear, into the ear canal, and into the eardrum, causing vibrations
This will sound like a middle school lesson, but it's important to the context. (Oversimplified), your ears are one part of a two part equation.
1: Sound waves enter through the outer ear, into the ear canal, and into the eardrum, causing vibrations
2: They're passed through the middle ear, through the cochlea in the innear ear
3: Hair cells, and the cochlea fluid convert vibrations into electrical signals.
4: The auditory nerve carries information to the *brain*.
5: Your brain plays a *major* role in hearing.
3: Hair cells, and the cochlea fluid convert vibrations into electrical signals.
4: The auditory nerve carries information to the *brain*.
5: Your brain plays a *major* role in hearing.
Your brain interprets these signals as sound, differentiates between speech, music, environmental noises, etc, focuses on specific important sounds (developed with experience and age), adds further context from your part (emotion/ memories), and then you finally hear sound.
Why is this relevant to the thread? Read on.
2. How does ANC actually work?
-Microphones detect external sound.
-A chipset processes these sounds in real time.
-For example, fan noise is between 100 and 300Hz (estimate). The chipset fires an exact inverse of this noise.
2. How does ANC actually work?
-Microphones detect external sound.
-A chipset processes these sounds in real time.
-For example, fan noise is between 100 and 300Hz (estimate). The chipset fires an exact inverse of this noise.
-The amplitude is the same, but it plays the *opposite* phase. Same frequency. This is played through the transducer.
-Effectively, it creates another wave that's the exact opposite. These two combine, and through destructive interference, it cancels out.
-Effectively, it creates another wave that's the exact opposite. These two combine, and through destructive interference, it cancels out.
3. ANC is actually beneficial in some ways
-You don't have to crank volume to 75-85DB+ all the time, as you have less background annoyance
-More focus, better concentration cuz there's lower overall noise.
These two are the main reasons people use ANC all the time.
-You don't have to crank volume to 75-85DB+ all the time, as you have less background annoyance
-More focus, better concentration cuz there's lower overall noise.
These two are the main reasons people use ANC all the time.
4. How ANC is impacting hearing for some people
As per *very* recent research from The BBC, it may
cause issues with auditory processing for younger users.
As per the research (All relevant links are at the end), it may have links to "APD." (Auditory Processing Disorder).
As per *very* recent research from The BBC, it may
cause issues with auditory processing for younger users.
As per the research (All relevant links are at the end), it may have links to "APD." (Auditory Processing Disorder).
There are teens & young adults with good hearing (20Hz to ~20,000Hz), & range, but with impairments in actually processing what they're hearing (the brain does this).
The research presents a hypothesis. You are consistently blocking out environmental noises.
The research presents a hypothesis. You are consistently blocking out environmental noises.
This reduces the exposure of the brain to many sounds.
Go back to the first part of this thread, as in, how your brain interprets sound
If you have the time, also watch the new video from ASAP Science, on "The illusion that broke the internet."
The relevant timestamp: 1m 45s
Go back to the first part of this thread, as in, how your brain interprets sound
If you have the time, also watch the new video from ASAP Science, on "The illusion that broke the internet."
The relevant timestamp: 1m 45s
Links are at the end. & if you're chronically online for long enough (sigh), then you may remember the whole meltdown over "Yanny or Laurel." (Also linked at the end).
They explain it a lot better than me, but your brain relies on past exposure, memories, and it needs...
They explain it a lot better than me, but your brain relies on past exposure, memories, and it needs...
...context to know what to filter out, what to focus on, and how to interpret what.
If there's prolonged use of ANC at a young age, it may hinder development of complex listening skills.
When you're under a child or an adolescent, the brain *needs* this exposure.
If there's prolonged use of ANC at a young age, it may hinder development of complex listening skills.
When you're under a child or an adolescent, the brain *needs* this exposure.
Your brain is still developing. It's still learning.
So, if you are under the age of 18, I'd suggest using ANC as low as possible.
APD has no cure! It's manageable, but no full cure so far has been developed.
So, if you are under the age of 18, I'd suggest using ANC as low as possible.
APD has no cure! It's manageable, but no full cure so far has been developed.
VERY IMPORTANT ASTERISK BEFORE MAJOR FEARMONGERING WAVES:
*No direct relation has been proven. This is anecdotal evidence. There is no direct evidence.
Moderation is the way to go for everyone, & a lot of moderation for kids (avoid) and developing teens.
*No direct relation has been proven. This is anecdotal evidence. There is no direct evidence.
Moderation is the way to go for everyone, & a lot of moderation for kids (avoid) and developing teens.
As it is just a proposed hypothesis that needs further research, you don't have to fully stop using it just yet.
Just try to lower the time you spend with ANC, try to train yourself to focus without it. (For longer durations, I've seen some use it as high as 8h a day).
Just try to lower the time you spend with ANC, try to train yourself to focus without it. (For longer durations, I've seen some use it as high as 8h a day).
5. Good vs Bad Research
Good:
🟢 Published in reputed, peer reviewed journals
🟢 Proper methodology disclosure
🟢 Good sample size
🟢 Placebo-controlled, double-blind if possible
🟢 Repeatable
🟢 Limitations, conflict of interest clearly disclosed
Good:
🟢 Published in reputed, peer reviewed journals
🟢 Proper methodology disclosure
🟢 Good sample size
🟢 Placebo-controlled, double-blind if possible
🟢 Repeatable
🟢 Limitations, conflict of interest clearly disclosed
Bad:
🔴 No/ little/ unreliable peer review
🔴 Small sample size
🔴 Confirmation bias/ Lot of logical fallacies
🔴 No methodology disclosure
🔴 Twists facts
🔴 Not repeatable
🔴 Draws conclusions from vague inputs
🔴 No/ little/ unreliable peer review
🔴 Small sample size
🔴 Confirmation bias/ Lot of logical fallacies
🔴 No methodology disclosure
🔴 Twists facts
🔴 Not repeatable
🔴 Draws conclusions from vague inputs
6. How long should you really use ANC?
*My* opinion:
Adult (18+): Don't exceed 4h
Teen: Do not exceed 1-2h
Under 13: Do not use at all till further reserach
*My* opinion:
Adult (18+): Don't exceed 4h
Teen: Do not exceed 1-2h
Under 13: Do not use at all till further reserach
7. We aren't taking ear health seriously enough
Don't exceed 75DB. Trust your ears, 85DB is when you can hear all frequencies crystal clear even on neutral-ish IEMs (F-M curve), so once you get to that point, drop down by 1 or 2 steps.
Samsung, Apple, Google make this easier.
Don't exceed 75DB. Trust your ears, 85DB is when you can hear all frequencies crystal clear even on neutral-ish IEMs (F-M curve), so once you get to that point, drop down by 1 or 2 steps.
Samsung, Apple, Google make this easier.
Don't use audio gear for hours on end continuously.
Ear health in itself will be a separate thread in the future.
But for now, don't use or buy an IEM that causes ear pressure. It's not good.
& regularly clean the tips/ swap. Don't use IEMs immediately after a shower.
Ear health in itself will be a separate thread in the future.
But for now, don't use or buy an IEM that causes ear pressure. It's not good.
& regularly clean the tips/ swap. Don't use IEMs immediately after a shower.
It may cause an ear infection.
There's a lot of ear health advise I can give, like don't use Q Tips, don't poke around inside with your finger, regularly clean the outer ear (leave the inside alone), get wax cleaned out regularly, etc.
But just be careful with your ears.
There's a lot of ear health advise I can give, like don't use Q Tips, don't poke around inside with your finger, regularly clean the outer ear (leave the inside alone), get wax cleaned out regularly, etc.
But just be careful with your ears.
Why?
Once your ears are damaged (the hair inside), there is no recovering it.
Hearing aids don't allow you to hear more than what's lost. If you can't hear over 4000Hz after a few decades, they will never come back.
Amps just... amplify whatever is left. Pretty tragic.
Once your ears are damaged (the hair inside), there is no recovering it.
Hearing aids don't allow you to hear more than what's lost. If you can't hear over 4000Hz after a few decades, they will never come back.
Amps just... amplify whatever is left. Pretty tragic.
8. Misc.
-Given how much our brain plays a role, no wonder audio is so subjective
-Some say use the 60/60 rule (60% volume, 60min) but I feel 60% is way too high even on TWS, try to drop to 40
-Take hourly breaks
-Try using headphones over IEMs/ TWS for longer sessions.
-Given how much our brain plays a role, no wonder audio is so subjective
-Some say use the 60/60 rule (60% volume, 60min) but I feel 60% is way too high even on TWS, try to drop to 40
-Take hourly breaks
-Try using headphones over IEMs/ TWS for longer sessions.
9. Conclusion
-Reduce your ANC use to ~4h (personal opinion)
-If you have kids, try advising against ANC use fulltime
-Regularly follow research in the field
-Reduce your ANC use to ~4h (personal opinion)
-If you have kids, try advising against ANC use fulltime
-Regularly follow research in the field
*Disclamer 1: Images were generated with Grok, & Perplexity Pro
*Disclaimer 2: I'm not an audiologist, if anyone here is active in that field, I'd like inputs from you.
*Disclaimer 3: This is not medical advise, & none of what I suggested will cause you harm
*Disclaimer 2: I'm not an audiologist, if anyone here is active in that field, I'd like inputs from you.
*Disclaimer 3: This is not medical advise, & none of what I suggested will cause you harm
Sources, & links:
Main source 1: techcrunch.com/2025/02/17/are…
Main source 2:
bbc.com/news/articles/…
ASAP Science Video 1 (1m 45s):
youtube.com/watch?v=t7eKSJ…
Yanny or Laurel:
youtube.com/watch?v=yDiXQl…
Other research used:
1. bang-olufsen.com/en/int/story/a…
2. audiologyblog.phonakpro.com/how-different-…
3. whathifi.com/headphones/wir…
4. timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/hea…
5. womenshealthmag.com/uk/health/a638…
6. indianexpress.com/article/techno…
7. discoverhearing.ca/what-is-the-br…
8. soundly.com/blog/noise-can…
9. tobias-battite.com/blog/do-headph…
Full credits and thanks to these sites, without which this thread wouldn't have been possible, as obviously not all of it is my work.
If you have the time, I'd recommend reading all the shared material.
Main source 1: techcrunch.com/2025/02/17/are…
Main source 2:
bbc.com/news/articles/…
ASAP Science Video 1 (1m 45s):
youtube.com/watch?v=t7eKSJ…
Yanny or Laurel:
youtube.com/watch?v=yDiXQl…
Other research used:
1. bang-olufsen.com/en/int/story/a…
2. audiologyblog.phonakpro.com/how-different-…
3. whathifi.com/headphones/wir…
4. timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/hea…
5. womenshealthmag.com/uk/health/a638…
6. indianexpress.com/article/techno…
7. discoverhearing.ca/what-is-the-br…
8. soundly.com/blog/noise-can…
9. tobias-battite.com/blog/do-headph…
Full credits and thanks to these sites, without which this thread wouldn't have been possible, as obviously not all of it is my work.
If you have the time, I'd recommend reading all the shared material.
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