The Key to Active Noise Cancellation: Inverse Audio The basic concept of how active noise cancellation works is simple. ... That's what ANC is. Microphones built into ANC headphones capture surrounding noises, and audio processing circuitry takes those noises and generate their inverse to cancel them out in real time.
Does Active noise-cancelling work?
Active noise-canceling headphones can do everything that passive ones can do -- their very structure creates a barrier that blocks high-frequency sound waves. They also add an extra level of noise reduction by actively erasing lower-frequency sound waves.
Does Active noise-cancelling damage hearing?
Does noise cancelling damage your hearing? Overall, noise cancellation in headphones doesn't affect your hearing negatively. You may hear a slight hissing sound when you the ANC is turned on, but that's about it. However, for some people this can be irritating and even result in dizziness.