How to Choose the Best Noise Cancelling Earphones for Sleeping
If you are a light sleeper who struggles with snoring partners, noisy neighbours, or other unwanted sounds at night, you may have considered getting some noise cancelling earphones to help you sleep better. But with so many options available, how do you know which ones are the best for your needs? In this blog post, we will compare the different types of noise cancelling earphones and give you some tips on how to choose the best ones for sleeping.
What is noise cancelling earphones?
Noise cancelling earphones are devices that reduce the amount of ambient noise that reaches your ears. They do this by using either passive or active noise cancelling technology, or a combination of both.
- Passive noise cancelling earphones block out noise by creating a physical seal around your ears, preventing sound waves from entering. They usually have ear tips or ear cups that fit snugly in or over your ears, and are made of materials that absorb or reflect sound. Passive noise cancelling earphones are effective at blocking out high-frequency sounds, such as human voices, traffic, or birds, but not so good at blocking out low-frequency sounds, such as engines, fans, or snoring.
- Active noise cancelling earphones cancel out noise by creating a sound wave that is opposite to the noise that reaches your ears, effectively cancelling it out. They have microphones that pick up the ambient noise and a processor that generates the anti-noise signal, which is then played through the earphones. Active noise cancelling earphones are effective at blocking out low-frequency sounds, such as engines, fans, or snoring, but not so good at blocking out high-frequency sounds, such as human voices, traffic, or birds.
- Hybrid noise cancelling earphones combine both passive and active noise cancelling technology, offering the best of both worlds. They have both ear tips or ear cups that create a physical seal around your ears, and microphones and processors that generate the anti-noise signal. Hybrid noise cancelling earphones are effective at blocking out both high-frequency and low-frequency sounds, making them the most versatile and powerful option.
What are the Benefits of Noise Cancelling Earphones for Sleeping?
Noise cancelling earphones can help you sleep better by:
- Reducing the amount of noise that disturbs your sleep, which can improve your sleep quality and duration, and prevent sleep deprivation and its negative effects on your health and well-being.
- Creating a relaxing and soothing sound environment, which can help you fall asleep faster and easier, and reduce stress and anxiety. You can choose to listen to white noise, nature sounds, music, podcasts, audiobooks, or anything else that helps you relax and drift off.
- Protecting your hearing, which can be damaged by prolonged exposure to loud noises. Noise cancelling earphones can lower the volume of the sounds that reach your ears, and prevent you from turning up the volume of your audio source to drown out the noise.
What are the Drawbacks of Noise Cancelling Earphones for Sleeping?
Noise cancelling earphones can also have some drawbacks for sleeping, such as:
- Being uncomfortable or painful to wear for long periods of time, especially if they are too tight, too heavy, or too bulky. They can also cause ear irritation, infection, or pressure, or interfere with your sleeping position or pillow.
- Being expensive, especially the active or hybrid ones, which require batteries or charging, and may have more features than you need or use. They can also be easily lost, damaged, or stolen, especially if you travel with them or leave them unattended.
- Being unsafe, especially if they block out too much noise, which can prevent you from hearing important sounds, such as alarms, sirens, or someone calling your name. They can also isolate you from your surroundings, which can make you feel lonely, disconnected, or vulnerable.
How To Choose the Best Noise Cancelling Earphones for Sleeping?
To choose the best noise cancelling earphones for sleeping, you should consider the following factors:
- Your noise level and type: If you are exposed to high-frequency sounds, such as human voices, traffic, or birds, you may prefer passive noise cancelling earphones, which can block them out effectively. If you are exposed to low-frequency sounds, such as engines, fans, or snoring, you may prefer active noise cancelling earphones, which can cancel them out effectively. If you are exposed to both high-frequency and low-frequency sounds, you may prefer hybrid noise cancelling earphones, which can handle both types of frequencies.
- Your noise level and type: If you are exposed to high-frequency sounds, such as human voices, traffic, or birds, you may prefer passive noise cancelling earphones, which can block them out effectively. If you are exposed to low-frequency sounds, such as engines, fans, or snoring, you may prefer active noise cancelling earphones, which can cancel them out effectively. If you are exposed to both high-frequency and low-frequency sounds, you may prefer hybrid noise cancelling earphones, which can handle both types of sounds.
- Your comfort level and preference: If you are a side sleeper or a stomach sleeper, you may prefer earbuds or in-ear monitors that are small and lightweight and do not interfere with your sleeping position or pillow. If you are a back sleeper or a stationary sleeper, you may prefer over-ear headphones or headbands that are soft and breathable and do not cause pressure or heat build-up.
- Your budget and features: If you have a limited budget or do not need many features, you may prefer basic noise cancelling earphones that are affordable and easy to use. If you have a flexible budget or want more features, you may prefer advanced noise cancelling earphones that have longer battery life, wireless connectivity, voice control, touch control, or other smart functions.
- Your audio source and content: If you want to listen to music or other audio content while sleeping, you should choose noise cancelling earphones that have good sound quality and frequency response. You should also choose audio content that is relaxing and soothing and does not have sudden changes in volume or tempo. You can use apps or websites that offer sleep sounds or playlists that are designed for sleeping.
- Your safety and awareness: If you want to use noise cancelling earphones while sleeping in public places or while traveling, you should choose noise cancelling earphones that have transparency mode or ambient mode that allow you to hear your surroundings without taking off the earphones.
You should also avoid using noise cancelling earphones while driving or operating heavy machinery.
We hope this blog post has helped you choose the best noise cancelling earphones for sleeping. Remember to always read the reviews and specifications of the products before buying them, and to test them in different environments and situations before using them regularly.
Happy sleeping!
