Noise-cancelling headphones

Noise-cancelling headphones use microphones and electronics to reduce some surrounding sound. People wear them on journeys, in shared offices or to listen without continually turning up the volume over background noise. Depending on the model, you can use cancellation without playing music.

Steady noise such as an aircraft engine is generally easier to reduce than conversation or sudden impacts. You may still understand the person talking beside you. The name can raise expectations of silence that even an expensive pair will not meet.

Some models sell for around €100 in Spain, while others cost several hundred. You are also paying for sound, comfort, call microphones and battery life. A noise-cancellation label alone tells you little about performance in your particular workspace.

If you can try a pair, keep them on for a while. Heat, pressure or the way the cups press against glasses may become irritating after a few minutes. Excellent cancellation is little use if you keep wanting to remove the headphones.

In a quiet room, there may be little noise to cancel. If you regularly need to speak to people nearby, you may spend much of the day removing them. They also leave digital distractions untouched: a quieter room still contains your inbox and phone.

Wanting to eliminate every nearby voice can lead to disappointment. Try them against the sounds that actually bother you, rather than judging only with music playing. Raising the volume to overpower what remains can damage your hearing.