Noise Cancelling Headphones & Auditory Processing

NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES/ EARPHONES  AND AUDITORY PROCESSING DISORDER

This BBC article highlighted concerns raised by audiologists on a possible link between difficulty processing speech in noise and usage of noise-cancelling headphones. Since we have been getting questions on the safety of using noise cancelling headphones, as an auditory processing specialist clinic, here is our anecdotal advice. We hope that with time more research would be available in this area.

This concern stemmed from the understanding that the brain develops and better adapts its processing with experience and exposure to a variety of sounds, including complex speech and ambient noise. Such exposure for the brain equips the brain with better processing abilities over time. 

Until further research and evidence shows otherwise. Here is our advice on how to reduce any potential risk to processing speech in noise from the use of noise- cancelling headphones.

1.       Bone Conductor Headphones:

Consider using bone conductor headphones: These will not occlude the ear canal as standard personal listening devices would. They will allow ambient sounds into the ear along with the sounds that you are trying to listen to on your device.

2.       Transparency Mode:

Use noise-cancelling earphones with transparency mode activated: Activating or increasing transparency mode in the   settings of devices like air-pods can ensure that one continues to gain useful exposure to ambient sounds.

3.       Always in Moderation and not in Excess:

Moderate or limit use of noise-cancelling earphones. Limit excessive use. Try and use the noise-cancelling headphones for only the periods where  they are most required.  Use them over shorter periods in the day.