silence

The world is bursting with noise. Anyone who has ever been outside can confirm that. But with one button on the headphones, the noise can fade away: active noise cancellation (ANC) silences train compartments, leaf blowers or renovation works. This way you can bathe in the silence or listen to music or podcasts undisturbed.

The technology behind noise cancellation was designed for pilots in the 1950s and first commercially marketed by Bose in 1989. A microphone picks up ambient noise and sends an opposing sound wave towards the ears. The opposing waves cancel each other out in the ear, resulting in silence. The technology works best at low frequencies, such as the roar of an aircraft engine or the hum of an air conditioner.

But it is not without risks. “During the block period I sometimes see students who wear headphones with ANC thirteen hours a day,” said professor of audiology Bart Vinck (UGent) in this newspaper. The brain tries to compensate for the unnatural, imposed silence, Vinck warns, or becomes oversensitive to sound. “In recent years I have seen an increase of more than 26 percent in young people with such complaints.” Yet the function has become an indispensable part of daily life for many, as is evident from the numerous responses De Standaard received to the question : “Can you still do without noise cancellation?”

“Way to regulate the incentives”

Ellen Van Vaerenbergh (39)

“We are four children and two parents in one house. They play, laugh, watch TV, argue, cook, you name it. The two youngest like to imitate dinosaurs or have fights. In short: a moment of silence is sacred.”

“My husband and I both take refuge in noise-canceling headphones. My eldest daughter and eldest son also have such headphones. We have to find a way to regulate the incentives, otherwise it might become too much.” “As the crow flies, we don’t live far from an industrial area. Moments ago, there was a soft hum in the air every night. It was driving me crazy. Then I also slept with earphones.” “But headphones are also indispensable at work. The door to my office is always open, and the walls are made of glass. Every passing colleague is distracting, but with noise cancellation I can at least filter out the conversations. That makes a big difference to my concentration.”

“The choice between lawn mower or music is quickly made”

Korneel Traen (45)

“Constant noise and distraction affect your mood. My noise-canceling headphones are therefore a great relief, both at work and at home. This way I can listen to music while mowing the lawn or while my three enthusiastic children play. It’s a kind of cocooning: you can turn something unpleasant into something pleasant. Although it is of course not the intention for everyone to wear headphones.”

“I don’t think I have become more sensitive to sound, but I do use my headphones quickly if something bothers me. You have the choice, so I think: why should I listen to the lawn mower when I can also put on music? The same choice applies to noise at work. Those conversations are often not relevant to me, so I filter them out. I usually listen to music, but pure silence does not necessarily make me calm.” “We work in a landscape office. Almost all of my colleagues also turn on their noise canceling. Still, I don’t think that’s why we have less contact, we make room to chat with each other.”

“You send a signal: ‘Don’t speak to me.’ I think that’s a shame”

Wim Desaegher (40)

“During the corona crisis, we worked from home with two adults and three children. Then I bought noise-canceling headphones. Now I can’t live without it. I use it at work, at home, sometimes even on the bike and in the supermarket.”

“The work culture has changed since corona: colleagues often remain in their seats during a meeting because it is conducted via video call. Then sometimes there is a colleague sitting on your right in a meeting with a colleague opposite you and one behind you. When you hear your name or project mentioned, all focus is lost.”

“With my headphones I can buy a little silence. That’s nice during the commute. I’m not more sensitive to noise, but society has become noisier – as if people think: ‘If my loud videos on the train bother you, you can put on headphones.’ It used to be the other way around.” “The only disadvantage is that you are less approachable. When you put on headphones, you signal: ‘Do not disturb me, do not speak to me.’ I am in the supermarket during this telephone conversation. Someone who just can’t reach the top rack might ask for my help, but won’t do that now, because I’m talking on my headphones. I think that’s a shame, it’s quite antisocial in a way. You actually bought yourself a separate space.”