NoisyWorld - Keeping Out the Noise, Letting In the Sound

Earplugs or ANC Earbuds for Noise Sensitivity? A Big City Report

Published on March 11, 2023 by Helmut

ANC-earbuds-and-earplugs-for-noise-sensitivity-comparison

In recent months, I have focused on using noise cancelling earbuds as my go-to noise reduction tool during the day. My ears are already itching. Before that, I tested an almost excessive amount of inexpensive, reusable push-in earplugs, including many moderate-noise reduction earplugs (Hi-Fi earplugs) for dampening irritating noises while commuting, exercising, walking around town, …

Soundcore Space A40 Practical Review and Noise Reduction Test

Published on February 25, 2023 by Helmut

To understand how well and consistently the Space A40 reduce noise and how useful they are in everyday life, I have made them my main earbuds for about a month in loud city environments. I have also conducted systematic noise reduction tests and compared them to the best of the best as well as to …

How Can Adaptive Transparency Help Noise Sensitive People?

Published on January 2, 2023 by Helmut

adaptive transparency mode for noise sensitivity

The objective of headphones with adaptive transparency mode / adaptive awareness mode is to allow you to hear your surroundings as you would without headphones while at the same time reducing loud noises. Wouldn’t that be great? Walking around town and being aware of traffic but not stressed out by excessive honking, sirens, loud motorbikes, …

Adaptive Noise Cancelling: Better Than Old-School, Fixed ANC?

Updated on December 16, 2022 by Helmut

More and more noise cancelling headphones and earbuds are being advertised as having adaptive noise cancellation. But is that just a sales pitch or are we getting some real benefits? I recently experienced several such adaptive noise cancelling headphones and earbuds. The results were sometimes stunningly good, but in other situations the same adaptive headphones …

The AirPods Pro 2 ANC, Strong when It Wants To: How to Improve It?

Published on December 3, 2022 by Helmut

AirPods Pro 2 ANC Experience Report and Improvement Tips

This post reports on my experience with the active noise cancelling function (ANC) of the AirPods Pro 2 in daily life. We are also looking at measurements and tips/hacks on how you can improve the noise reduction performance. This article is from the perspective of a noise sensitive person. So far I have been using …

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Review and Detailed ANC Test

Published on November 19, 2022 by Helmut

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Review and ANC Test

I have now used the QuietComfort II Earbuds for six weeks. I am always on the lookout for tools that can effectively reduce noise in a busy, hot city while staying comfortable and in touch with my surroundings. In the following review, I report on my noise reduction tests, fit and comfort, sound quality, call …

3M Pro-Comms Electronic Hearing Protector Test and Review: Finally a Good Mike

Published on September 16, 2022 by Helmut

Very few Bluetooth earmuffs allow you to take a phone call in a high noise (>90 dB) environment. Having now tested the 3M Pro-Comms (‎90546-SIOC) against a lawn mower, saw, and router, I can report that these do the trick: callers can hear me when it gets loud, and I can hear them. Until very …

How to Block Out Cricket Noise so That You Can Sleep?

Published on August 5, 2022 by Helmut

A few readers have contacted me because they were being kept awake by chirping and trilling crickets, so I have decided to look more closely into blocking out the night time songs of common crickets. I thoroughly enjoyed conducting the experiments described below. This is intended to be both a problem solving article for you …

How Well Does Cleaning Foam Earplugs Work?

Published on June 9, 2022 by Helmut

how effective is cleaning foam earplugs plus howto

For nighttime use, I typically toss out foam earplugs when they don’t look or smell clean anymore or when their effectiveness starts deteriorating. Many manufacturers state something like: “Discard after several uses or as soon as dirt or wax accumulates…” (Macks) “Disposable foam earplugs” (Moldex) When using earplugs for hearing protection in a high-noise environment, …

Noise Masking or Active Noise Cancelling: Together or Alone?

Published on May 12, 2022 by Helmut

noise masking or noise cancelling or both

In this post, I’d like to demonstrate how much of a difference noise masking, active noise cancelling, and noise isolation alone and in combination make when it comes to eliminating disturbing nighttime (and daytime) noises. We are going to listen to a “noisescape” containing large-truck noises and resonances, honking of smaller and larger vehicles, and …