Can Airpods Pro ANC help prevent hearing loss in concerts?

[never_here]

so, as a music guy, i often have to go to shows.  Its really not by choice, but i just have too.  Due to the nature of these shows just being, no budget, poor quality, old people, basically karaoke style stuff, its usually at a restaurant, with a few loud speakers, where i also have to sit near the front.

 

My GF gave me a pair of air pods pro, and remembering it had ANC, i put it on, and it was a godsend.  These concerts were no longer a huge pain.  I'm pretty sensitive to hearing, and thankfully, i haven't lost it too much despite these concerts, but, i want to know if ANC can actually help lowering the amount of sound that enter my ears, and preventing hearing loss.

 

I read some articles saying it does, and some saying its still much better off to wear noise protective gear, for things like, construction or gun ranges and stuff.  But, i'm just thinking about concert level stuff.  Its still really loud, but i dont need to completely cancel out the sound anyways.  Would it be safe to continue to do so?  

 

Do any ANC help?  I'm not a particular fan of the airpods pro, as they are pricey, and my first airpods, (1st gen, launchday purchase) died only after about 3 years of heavy use.  ANd no way am i paying another huge price for it.  I got taotronics ones for like $30, and honestly, i love em more than my airpods.  They just dont have ANC. 

 

Thanks in advance!

[LIGISTX]

29 minutes ago, never_here said:

so, as a music guy, i often have to go to shows.  Its really not by choice, but i just have too.  Due to the nature of these shows just being, no budget, poor quality, old people, basically karaoke style stuff, its usually at a restaurant, with a few loud speakers, where i also have to sit near the front.

 

My GF gave me a pair of air pods pro, and remembering it had ANC, i put it on, and it was a godsend.  These concerts were no longer a huge pain.  I'm pretty sensitive to hearing, and thankfully, i haven't lost it too much despite these concerts, but, i want to know if ANC can actually help lowering the amount of sound that enter my ears, and preventing hearing loss.

 

I read some articles saying it does, and some saying its still much better off to wear noise protective gear, for things like, construction or gun ranges and stuff.  But, i'm just thinking about concert level stuff.  Its still really loud, but i dont need to completely cancel out the sound anyways.  Would it be safe to continue to do so?  

 

Do any ANC help?  I'm not a particular fan of the airpods pro, as they are pricey, and my first airpods, (1st gen, launchday purchase) died only after about 3 years of heavy use.  ANd no way am i paying another huge price for it.  I got taotronics ones for like $30, and honestly, i love em more than my airpods.  They just dont have ANC. 

 

Thanks in advance!

Yes ANC will help. ANC generates an inverse wave to whatever sound is in the environment which cancels out said sound. So effectively there is no sound (pressure wave) hitting your ear drum. That said, if there is actual concern about hearing loss, I’d get actual hearing protection. 

[never_here]

 

9 minutes ago, LIGISTX said:

Yes ANC will help. ANC generates an inverse wave to whatever sound is in the environment which cancels out said sound. So effectively there is no sound (pressure wave) hitting your ear drum. That said, if there is actual concern about hearing loss, I’d get actual hearing protection. 

ahh i see, thats awesome.  was curious if ANC just, made me feel like i'm hearing less, or actually cancelled out the sound wave entirely, preventing me from hearing as much.  Thats great though.  Thanks!

[jaslion]

Anc sends an inverse wave canceling the noise (mostly) sonit does protect. However it is of course not as good as actual proper hearing protection

[never_here]

26 minutes ago, jaslion said:

Anc sends an inverse wave canceling the noise (mostly) sonit does protect. However it is of course not as good as actual proper hearing protection

ya, i figured this much.  but having gone to a gun range before, and wearing those hefty headphones, dont need anything that serious.  Was just worried using ANC would cause a doubling of sound waves in my ear fighting each other, where my eardrums are just being shattered secretly in silence. xD

[LIGISTX]

12 minutes ago, never_here said:

Was just worried using ANC would cause a doubling of sound waves in my ear fighting each other, where my eardrums are just being shattered secretly in silence. xD

If there was a doubling of waves, you’d hear them  . If you don’t hear anything, that means no pressure waves are interacting with your ear drum. 
 

Good on you for trying to actually understand how it works. 

[Takumidesh]

15 minutes ago, never_here said:

ya, i figured this much.  but having gone to a gun range before, and wearing those hefty headphones, dont need anything that serious.  Was just worried using ANC would cause a doubling of sound waves in my ear fighting each other, where my eardrums are just being shattered secretly in silence. xD

You can use earplugs and they will be plenty enough for a concert

 

I used 29 nrr earplugs working around jet engines all day for years.

[never_here]

7 minutes ago, Takumidesh said:

You can use earplugs and they will be plenty enough for a concert

 

I used 29 nrr earplugs working around jet engines all day for years.

wow, sounds like you got an awesome job.  But i tried earplugs, and despite they work wonderfully, i do carry around my airpods everywhere with me already, and i dont like having too many things.  Unless its winter, where i have a winter coat, if it can't fit slimly in my jeans, then i dont want it.  air pods already taking that little spot on the right side pocket.  

 

Also, airpods, unlike other earbuds with sound isolation and earplugs, dont give me that pressure feeling.  One reason i enjoy the airpods pro so much despite it has sound islation rubber stuff which i hate, is that they did it well with the pressure relief thing.  

22 minutes ago, LIGISTX said:

If there was a doubling of waves, you’d hear them  . If you don’t hear anything, that means no pressure waves are interacting with your ear drum. 
 

Good on you for trying to actually understand how it works. 

haha, never know.  sometimes technology that is suppose to save you, kills you.  Like the MCAS system from boeing.  a safety feature that downed a few planes. xD.  Terrible example, but the only thing i can think of off the top of my head. 

[Takumidesh]

44 minutes ago, never_here said:

wow, sounds like you got an awesome job.  But i tried earplugs, and despite they work wonderfully, i do carry around my airpods everywhere with me already, and i dont like having too many things.  Unless its winter, where i have a winter coat, if it can't fit slimly in my jeans, then i dont want it.  air pods already taking that little spot on the right side pocket. 

Well the good part about earplugs is they are made of foam, so they take basically zero space, and they are actually designed to protect your hearing

And thankfully I don't work with jets anymore haha.

[never_here]

2 hours ago, Takumidesh said:

And thankfully I don't work with jets anymore haha.

guess theres always downsides to any job.  but, at least its a conversation starter with, i work with jets.  

[saintlouisbagels]

There are plenty of re-usable earplugs designed for concerts.

I've been using V-Moda Faders for about a decade, and a buddy of mine uses Etymotic ER20XS.

 

I actually use mine when I know I'm in a noisy environment and I swear I hear EVERYTHING better because my brain's not distracted by the other loud noise.

[Takumidesh]

Just adding on.

 

You can get active ear protection as well. I have a pair of Peltor Comtac IIIs and they have passive certified hearing protection (some of the best out there) and with a single double a battery I can have whisper level conversations.