Noise-cancelling headphones may cause hearing problems, scientists warn

British audiologists have raised concerns about the potential for hearing damage from active noise-cancelling headphones, particularly among young people. An increase in complaints about hearing problems has prompted experts to call for more research into the long-term effects of active noise-cancelling technology and the devices it includes.

Some people who frequently use noise-cancelling headphones are diagnosed with auditory agnosia or auditory processing disorder (APD). This is a neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to process sound, despite normal hearing. Five NHS audiology units have reported a significant increase in patients diagnosed with APD, which is a concern, particularly among younger people.

Many of these patients have normal hearing but have difficulty processing auditory information. NSW typically occurs in people who suffered head injuries or ear infections as children, and the disorder is increasingly being diagnosed in people who don’t fit into these groups. The blocking of everyday sounds that noise-canceling devices typically cause in people with noise-canceling devices may disrupt the brain’s natural development of auditory skills, audiologists suggest. By allowing wearers to hear only what they want to hear, such headphones likely impair the brain’s ability to filter and process a wide range of sounds. Young people, especially those in their late teens, may experience delays in developing higher-level auditory processing skills.

Noise-cancelling features are becoming available on more and more headphones, and it is important to understand the long-term effects they may have on a person. Further research is needed to establish a direct link between noise-cancelling technologies and NSW. Healthy auditory processing requires exposure to a variety of sounds, so noise-cancelling headphones should be used with caution.