Why Sleep Headphones Are Not Suitable For Active Noise Cancellation?

Why Sleep Headphones Are Not Suitable For Active Noise Cancellation?

Active noise-canceling headphones are not recommended for use during sleep due to the following reasons:

Firstly, they tend to apply pressure on the ears, which may cause discomfort and potentially disrupt sleep.

Secondly, the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) function is relatively ineffective for frequencies above 1000 Hz, meaning it may not provide the desired level of noise reduction for certain high-frequency sounds that might be present during sleep.

Moreover, sleeping with noise-canceling earbuds poses certain risks to the ears. The continuous pressure exerted by the earbuds can lead to ear fatigue and potential damage over time.

How Do Active Noise-Canceling Headphones Work?

The principle of active noise cancellation involves using the built-in microphone to collect the ambient noise. Then, through a processing circuit, it generates a sound wave that is the inverse of the noise. These two waves then offset and neutralize each other, thus achieving the noise-reduction effect. Noises such as aircraft-engine sounds and subway roars, which have a low frequency and a long-lasting nature, are classified as low-frequency noises. These types of noises are relatively easier to mitigate by active noise-cancellation technology.

However, snores, human voices, and other noises that disrupt sleep predominantly fall within the mid- to high-frequency range. Consequently, active noise cancellation technology is incapable of effectively addressing the issue of eliminating such mid- to high-frequency noises.

Secondly, the active noise reduction mechanism operates based on sound pressure. When worn for an extended period during sleep, it may exert pressure on the ear. As a result, upon waking up, one might experience dizziness and discomfort.

Furthermore, the active noise cancellation mechanism inside comprises an acoustic processor and other components, which demand a significant amount of battery power consumption. This accelerates the power depletion of the headphones. To achieve a satisfactory noise reduction effect, the headset needs to be designed with a relatively large size, rendering it inappropriate for use during sleep.

Typically, active noise-canceling headphones are of a larger physical dimension. As a result, when one attempts to sleep on their side while wearing them, they will generally experience a sense of discomfort.

These are the reasons why sleep headphones are not well-suited for active noise cancellation technology.