Think all noise cancelling headphones are alike? Think there’s basically just one use for head phones? Well, actually there are many, many uses for head phones and – more specifically – for noise canceling headphones. The major brand names for this style are Shure, SkullCandy, Etymotic Research, Ultimate Ears, Sennheiser and others.
There are basically a couple different ones to choose from…active and passive.
Active uses electronic circuitry to sense the incoming sounds to lower the amount you hear. These are the type that are over the ears. One of their disadvantages is they require batteries to operate. Passive needs no power and are the type that go in the ears to block outside sounds….earphones, and to a lesser degree the type that come with the Ipod…earbuds.
1. Use these while you’re on the airplane. Listen to music at a low volume and the circuitry in the headphone will reduce any background sound. That way, if you need to have some quiet or to get a good sleep, this is the ideal way to do it. They make perfect for the business traveler who wants a little quiet on a loud airplane (piercing voice?) or wants...