Reliable, Effective Noise-Cancelling Headphones without the High Price Tag?

[Michael Leigh]

If you don't want your tinnitus and hyperacusis to get worse it would be a good idea not to use headphones even at low volume. Earphones and "noise induced" tinnitus do not go well together.

typing error in my previous post: Headphones and "Noise induced tinnitus" do not go well together...

 

[PolarSun]

If you don't want your tinnitus and hyperacusis to get worse it would be a good idea not to use headphones even at low volume. Earplugs and "noise induced" tinnitus do not go well together.

Michael

Hi Michael!

Thanks for answering.

For me the pain hyperacusis is newish, so everything hurts give or take :') If headphones even over the ear noise canceling headphones make tentative hypoacusis worse, how do people fly, or use public transportation?

I was told by my audiologist as long as I use them for a short amount of time and it very low volume I generally ( pain hyperacusis aside, let's theorize that that continues to fade away) should be able to tolerate it well. Do you feel like this is misguided?

 

[Michael Leigh]

Hi Michael!

Thanks for answering.

For me the pain hyperacusis is newish, so everything hurts give or take :') If headphones even over the ear noise canceling headphones make tentative hypoacusis worse, how do people fly, or use public transportation?

I was told by my audiologist as long as I use them for a short amount of time and it very low volume I generally ( pain hyperacusis aside, let's theorize that that continues to fade away) should be able to tolerate it well. Do you feel like this is misguided?

Hi Michael!

Thanks for answering.

For me the pain hyperacusis is newish, so everything hurts give or take :') If headphones even over the ear noise canceling headphones make tentative hypoacusis worse, how do people fly, or use public transportation?

I was told by my audiologist as long as I use them for a short amount of time and it very low volume I generally ( pain hyperacusis aside, let's theorize that that continues to fade away) should be able to tolerate it well. Do you feel like this is misguided?

HI @PolarSun

I do not agree with the advice that your Audiologist has told you. Since you have asked for my opinion I will give it but please remember the following are my own personal views.

I have corresponded and counselled quite a few people that have "Noise induced tinnitus". I do not believe anyone that has NIT should use headphones even at low volume and especially if they have hyperacusis, as both are at risk of becoming worse.

I used to counsel someone that was told by her Audiologist, to use headphones at a "low volume" and this will help treat the hyperacusis. Unfortunately, the woman's tinnitus and hyperacusis got worse and she telephones me one evening crying because her ears hurt so much.

It is up to you if you want to continue using headphones as you have been advised but I do not think it is a wise choice. Your Audiologist may indeed be an very good health professional in the field or Audiology but may not have any experience with tinnitus. Meaning he/She has never experienced it. And if they have I suspect it is very low and manageable. The last thing you want to risk is making your tinnitus and hyperacusis worse by using headphones, so please be careful.

I wish you well
Michael

 

[Luman]

Thanks for all the responses.

Unless there's an actual comparison with specified equipment, we can't just make a blanket statement that the cheaper ones aren't good enough. One budget headphone brand may be garbage but another one, a gem. On the other hand, while some premium models are top-notch, others are overpriced, and underwhelming. For casual use, the comfort, quality and prices of TaoTronics N/C headphones are a very good value. Again, I do not use them for music listening, only for the noise cancelling.

Budget N/C headphone shootout - the TaoTronics (not my exact ones but a similar model) came in first place.


This reviewer of a pair of $80 TaoTrotronics (not my exact pair but a similar model) said that they were better than $300 BEATS, with "much better sound and they're a third of the cost".

 

[Juan]

Initial impressions of the TaoTronics Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones [2019 New Version] Bluetooth Headphones Over Ear Headphones Headset with Deep Bass, Fast Charge 30 Hour Playtime for Travel Work TV PC Cellphone

I received the Taotronics headphones today, after placing the order yesterday. I have no previous experience with N/C headphones. I haven't yet taken them out for a test run, but may do that later on the subway. This model has two hidden mics on each ear piece, to sample and cancel incoming noise. For my first test, I turned on a low-frequency fan sound on my LectroFan sound machine, and put on the headphones, with the Active Noise Cancellation (ANR) turned off. The sound was reduced, but still very audible. When I switched the ANR Noise Cancellation on, it immediately lowered the volume of the sound, and most of the low frequency was gone. Next, I tried comparing them to a pair of standard non-electronic 34 dB Noise Reduction earmuffs, which worked as expected, but when put on the TaoTronic and switched on the ANR Noise Cancellation, the effect was surprisingly more apparent than the non-electronic standard earmuffs, and the volume was significantly lowered.

I have no idea of how music or other audio sound through them, and I didn't buy them for that purpose. They come with a nice travel case, which some of the more expensive N/C phones by other manufacturers do not. All in all, I think that this is a very worthwhile entry-level product, for many of us with tinnitus who are simply seeking protection at an affordable price.

View attachment 29664

So the NC headphones were more effective on blocking out the subway noise than earmuffs?

I am thinking it should be best for me to go to a store specialized in audio and trying several models of headphones from different brands. I wouldnt mind spending 300 bucks on headphones if they are great quality and sound is good. I am going to use them to listen to music and maybe audiobooks. I guess it is hard to get an idea of NC features and sound quality without listening to them..

 

[Juan]

I use the SONY WH1000XM (first gen) as I purchased these before the new models were released. I used it for the same reason as you, and I agree with the people above that there is a big difference in the noice cancelling between different brands. I borrowed my friend's Beats NC headphones and compared it to my SONY ones. I could tell the difference very clearly. SONY's NC headphones are always in the top, along with BOSE and they are there for a reason (and hence the price). Mine has not broken yet, they are comfy and the NC is great. I would like to upgrade but don't have any reason to until mine breaks, but glad you are happy with the ones you bought!

I was looking at the SONY NC headphones too. I havent tried them yet.. I own a couple of headphones already, all without the NC feature. I have Bose headphones, that to me sound kind of flat, without enhancing high or low frequencies, and I like them, sound is awesome. I also like the sound of Grado headphones, which is less balanced; they make the high frequencies brighter.

How would you describe the sound of the SONY ones? Is it flat sound or sound that enhaces high or low frequencies?

 

[Luman]

So the NC headphones were more effective on blocking out the subway noise than earmuffs?

I am thinking it should be best for me to go to a store specialized in audio and trying several models of headphones from different brands. I wouldnt mind spending 300 bucks on headphones if they are great quality and sound is good. I am going to use them to listen to music and maybe audiobooks. I guess it is hard to get an idea of NC features and sound quality without listening to them..

The N/C headphones that I bought seemingly are better at blocking the subway noise, than earmuffs. The earmuffs have a cavernous and muffled sound when wearing them, the active N/C ones do not. This is the one I have.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N68FTRW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=

 

[Juan]

Has anyone tried these NC headphones from Sennheiser?

https://www.amazon.es/Sennheiser-HD...d=1559857997&s=gateway&sr=8-7#customerReviews​

 

[Fangen]

I was looking at the SONY NC headphones too. I havent tried them yet.. I own a couple of headphones already, all without the NC feature. I have Bose headphones, that to me sound kind of flat, without enhancing high or low frequencies, and I like them, sound is awesome. I also like the sound of Grado headphones, which is less balanced; they make the high frequencies brighter.

How would you describe the sound of the SONY ones? Is it flat sound or sound that enhaces high or low frequencies?

I haven't tried the Bose ones so I don't have much to compare it too. I use the Sony ones mainly for NC, I think the sound sounds fine, and I am not an audiophile so I guess to me I'd not be able to describe it very well. It sounds balanced to me but I think looking at some reviews would be most accurate as I am very bad at this haha.

 

[Luman]

The TaoTronics 2019 model is on sale again, at Amazon Prime for $79.99, which is an excellent value for basic entry-level N/C headphones.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N68FTRW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1