The pros and cons of using noise cancelling headphones

Active noise cancellation (ANC) uses built-in microphones to capture external sounds, then plays an inverted signal that cancels those waves, reducing ambient noise such as airplane hum or office chatter. ANC improves audio clarity, lowers required volume levels, and can aid focus or sleep, but it is less effective against sudden loud noises, may slightly degrade sound quality, and can cause discomfort or isolation from important environmental sounds.