Active noise canceling (ANC) in headphones is very popular, especially among young people. They make it possible to block out ambient noise and enjoy music at a moderate volume. However, British medical experts are now expressing concerns that the frequent use of ANC headphones could lead to a specific form of hearing impairment.
The most important facts in brief
- Auditory processing and perception disorder (AVSD): A hearing disorder in which those affected have difficulty interpreting speech signals despite normal hearing.
- Possible connection with ANC headphones: Doctors suspect that the constant blocking out of everyday noises by ANC headphones prevents the brain from developing or maintaining natural hearing abilities.
- Call for further research: There is a need for more in-depth research into the exact effects of ANC technology on hearing.
Auditory processing and perception disorder: An overview
Auditory processing and perception disorder (AVSD) is a hearing impairment in which peripheral hearing is intact, but the processing and interpretation of sounds in the brain is impaired. For example, those affected find it difficult to understand spoken words in a noisy environment or cannot clearly determine the direction of sound sources.
Traditionally, causes such as brain injuries or middle ear infections in childhood have been blamed for AVWS. However, British doctors are currently observing an increase in cases of AVWS without these classic triggers. It is suspected that external factors, such as the excessive use of ANC headphones, could play a role.
How ANC headphones could affect hearing
ANC headphones are designed to reduce ambient noise through anti-noise, allowing users to listen to their music at a lower volume and with less distraction. There are many popular applications for this. From working in an open-plan office to listening to music on public transport or during a flight, ANC headphones are a real savior for many people. But even though this technology has many advantages, there seem to be concerns.
For example, doctors believe that continuous use of this technology could prevent the brain from developing or maintaining natural noise filtering mechanisms. The brain could “unlearn” how to distinguish background noise from relevant acoustic signals. In the long term, this could lead to difficulties in following conversations in noisy environments or precisely localizing sound sources.
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Need for further research and recommendations
In view of these potential risks, medical professionals are calling for more comprehensive studies to investigate the relationship between the use of ANC headphones and the development of AVWS in more detail. Factors such as the duration and intensity of use, the age of the user and the specific environmental conditions need to be taken into account. Until reliable research results are available, experts recommend using ANC headphones more carefully if possible. Our colleagues from Golem.de spoke to audiologist Angela Alexander.
She recommends that users take regular breaks and activate the transparency mode on their devices, which allows some ambient noise to pass through. This could help to preserve the brain’s natural hearing abilities and prevent possible AVWS. The discussion about the effects of ANC technology on hearing is still in its infancy. It remains to be seen what findings future studies will provide and how these will affect the recommendations for the use of ANC headphones.
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