Feeling Lost In A Noisy Crowd? Your Noise-Cancelling Headphones Might Be To Blame

From the steady beeping in the supermarkets to the hiss of a coffee machine, our brains are always processing some sort of sound every day. However, for some people noticing these background sounds, even though, not too loud, could be overwhelming, and it can make it difficult for them to distinguish voices and the important alerts.

This happens in people with Auditory Processing Disorder or APD. This is a condition where your brain struggles to interpret and process sounds efficiently. Audiologists are also questioning whether it is because of the excessive use of noise-cancelling headphones, which has led to more cases of people with APD.

What happens in APD?

APD can make it difficult for people to focus on a specific sound, especially when they are in a noisy environment like a supermarket or a coffee shop. For them, everything sounds the same and this is why it becomes difficult for them to differentiate between the passing by sound and the important alerts. Some people also describe it as knowing a sound is there but being unable to process it quickly enough. This can affect everyday life and also make them feel lost in public spaces.

The most common cases of APD happen in people with neurodiversity, people who have a history of brain injury, or people who have had some sort of childhood ear infection. However, audiologists are now also seeing environmental influences to be the reason for APD, and one of the most common external influences is noise-cancelling headphones.

What role do noise-cancelling headphones play in APD?

Noise-cancelling headphones have gained popularity for their ability to block out unwanted sounds, allowing users to focus on music, calls, or silence. They can be beneficial for protecting hearing, especially in noisy environments. However, some experts suggest that prolonged use might affect the brain’s ability to filter out background noise naturally.

Research has found that the brain develops complex listening skills well into the late teens. Constantly using noise-cancelling technology may limit exposure to everyday sounds, potentially delaying or weakening this natural ability.

This is mostly a growing concern among young people. The NHS audiology departments in the UK have reported an increase in referrals for hearing issues that turned out to be APD rather than hearing loss mostly in young people.

A 2024 UK-wide survey found that only 4% of audiologists consider themselves well-informed on APD, highlighting a lack of awareness and resources for diagnosis and treatment. With limited NHS services available, many individuals seeking help face long waiting lists, with only one specialist centre in England offering full APD assessments for adults.

By constantly blocking out background noise, some experts believe we could be training our brains to process sound differently. Everyday sounds, such as traffic noise or distant conversations, help the brain prioritize and filter information. Without this practice, some individuals may struggle when exposed to complex sound environments, such as busy streets or crowded restaurants.

It is interesting to note that even subtitling has also become more common even with those who do not have any hearing issues. A survey found that 61% of young adults preferred to watch TV with subtitles, this further suggests a change in the way we are changing our listening habits.