At some point in your life, you’ve probably been stuck in the metro and experienced the train screeching, people chatting loudly, and blaring announcements. It’s normal to get annoyed and crank up the music to drown out the noise. But that puts your ears under pressure. Over time, exposure to constant loud noises (from traffic, public transport, or loud music) can slowly damage your hearing.
That’s where noise-cancelling headphones come in. They don’t just make your listening more peaceful; they actively protect your ears by reducing the need to push volume higher. When used right, they help you tune out the constant buzz of the world around you.
So, let’s find out how this works and how boAt’s noise-cancelling headphones can be a smart investment in your hearing health.
How Noise-Cancelling Headphones Help Protect Hearing
1. Reducing Ambient Noise Means Lower Listening Volume
The volume-pressure trap: When ambient noise is loud, people tend to increase playback volume to “beat the noise.” That’s exactly what can damage eardrums over time.
What ANC does: Active noise cancellation (ANC) works by generating an inverse sound wave to cancel (or at least reduce) ambient low-frequency noise (engine hums, air conditioning, traffic). So you don’t need to crank up your music as loud as you would with ordinary headphones.
Benefit: Less strain, less cumulative damage over months and years.
2. Interrupting “Noise Spikes”
Sudden noises like horns, loud chatter, or announcements can trigger reflexive responses (ears trying to protect themselves).
The best ANC headphones help suppress or cushion these spikes, giving your hearing pathways fewer jolts.
3. Encouraging Use of Safer Listening Habits
Because ANC makes quieter listening viable, you feel less tempted to raise volumes. Over time, that behaviour change becomes a habit: your “normal” listening level shifts lower, which is much safer for hearing longevity.
Our Picks for the Best ANC Headphones
1. boAt Rockerz 512 ANC
ANC capability: 40 dB hybrid active noise cancellation
Drivers: 40mm dynamic drivers with boAt Signature Sound
Battery life: Up to 80 hours
Extra features: BEAST mode (40ms low latency) for gaming/streaming; foldable design; ENx tech for calls
Why it helps your hearing: Rockerz 512 ANC boasts a strong 40dB ANC, which reduces much of the background hiss and hum, letting you keep audio at safer levels.
2. boAt Rockerz 551 ANC Pro
ANC capability: 42 dB hybrid adaptive ANC
Drivers: 40 mm drivers with boAt Signature Sound
Battery life: Up to 72 hours
Other features: Dual mics with ENx tech, foldable cups, BEAST mode
What stands out: The “adaptive” nature of Rockers 551 ANC means they can dynamically adjust cancellation strength depending on your surroundings, which is great when you move from a quiet office to a busy street. That ensures optimal protection without over-processing.
Tips on Using Noise-Cancelling to Maximise Hearing Protection
1. Use ANC before raising volume
When you first put on your boAt noise-cancelling headphones, turn on ANC and let your brain adjust to a quieter baseline. Then set your listening volume.
2. Use ambient / transparency mode when needed
If you momentarily need to hear surroundings (e.g. traffic, announcements), switch to ambient mode rather than turning off the headphones entirely.
3. Take periodic “quiet breaks”
Even with ANC, continuous listening for hours isn’t ideal. Give your ears 5-10 minutes every hour without audio.
4. Watch total listening time
Even at moderate volumes, extended listening adds up. Use ANC to keep your average volume lower.
5, Fine-tune with the app
Use the boAt Hearables App or EQ presets to make your music clearer instead of just turning up the volume or bass.
Closing Thoughts
Investing in noise-cancelling headphones is not just a luxury; it’s a sensible step toward long-term hearing health. By reducing ambient noise, they let you enjoy your music at safer levels, reduce listener fatigue, and shield your ears from sudden spikes.
Among the best ANC headphones in boAt’s lineup, Rockerz 512 ANC offers strong all-around performance with 40dB ANC and marathon battery life, while Rockerz 551 ANC Pro pushes further with 42dB hybrid adaptive ANC.
So, use your boAt noise-cancelling headphone smartly. Don’t raise volume as a reflex, switch modes when needed, and give your ears rest. Your future self (and your ears) will appreciate it!
FAQs
1. Do noise-cancelling headphones prevent hearing loss?
While no headphone can fully “prevent” hearing loss, good ANC reduces the need to raise volume in noisy settings. That lowers the cumulative acoustic stress on your ears, which is a positive protective factor.
2. Will ANC give me total silence?
No. ANC works best for low-frequency, consistent noises (engine hums, air-conditioning, traffic rumble). Sudden, sharp noises like horns may still pass through, though the best ANC headphones mitigate them.
3. For calls and voice, does ANC help?
Yes, through technologies like ENx, as in our Rockerz 551 ANC Pro and Rockerz 512 ANC. These help suppress background noise while boosting voice clarity for better call quality, even in noisy places.
4. Does turning on ANC reduce battery life?
Yes, ANC consumes extra power. That’s why the “ANC on” runtime is always lower. But with models like Rockerz 512 ANC (80h with ANC off), you still get substantial usage even with ANC on.
5. How do I pick between over-ear and on-ear ANC models?
Over-ear headphones provide better passive isolation, resulting in improved ANC performance and increased protection. On-ear is lighter and more portable but offers a weaker seal. For long commutes or flights, favour over-ear and for light office or travel use, you may pick on-ear.
