How do I get rid of noise cancellation?

What is Noise Cancellation Technology?

Noise cancellation technology works by using small microphones built into headphones or earbuds to detect ambient noise in the environment. These microphones pick up sound waves from external noise sources like airplane engines, traffic, or chatter. The headphones then generate an inverted “anti-noise” sound wave that cancels out the ambient noise before it reaches your ears (source: https://polaridad.es/en/cancelacion-de-ruido-digital/).

This anti-noise sound wave matches the external noise but is 180 degrees out of phase, causing destructive interference and effectively cancelling each other out. The resulting effect is that the ambient noise sounds muted or significantly reduced. Active noise cancellation using this method can decrease noise by 20-30 decibels.

Noise cancelling technology creates a quiet bubble around the listener’s ears, allowing you to focus on the audio coming directly from your headphones or earbuds rather than external sounds. This makes noise cancellation great for airplane travel, commuting, or anywhere you want to block out background noise.

Why Would You Want to Disable Noise Cancellation?

There are some reasons why you might want to turn off noise cancellation features on your devices or headphones:

You may prefer natural ambient sounds and find noise cancellation too isolating or distracting. For example, runners or bikers often like hearing traffic and being aware of their surroundings for safety.

Some people find noise cancellation fatiguing or headache-inducing after prolonged use. The technology works by producing an opposite audio signal to ambient noise, which can cause pressure on the eardrum for sensitive listeners.

You may want to interact with others around you without noise cancellation creating an isolated bubble. For short conversations, it can be easier to simply disable noise cancellation than removing your headphones.

In some environments like an office, you may want to hear notifications and conversations around you while also listening to music or calls. Turning off noise cancellation allows you to blend both ambient and headphone audio.

Noise cancellation is ineffective for higher pitched voices. So you may struggle to hear people talking to you even with headphones on. Simply turning it off can make conversing and awareness easier.

Turning Off Noise Cancellation on Headphones

Many popular headphones from brands like Bose, Sony and Apple come with built-in noise cancellation technology. Here are instructions for turning off noise cancellation on some popular models:

On Bose QuietComfort headphones, press and hold the Noise Cancellation button to cycle through the levels of noise cancellation. Keep holding the button until you reach the ‘0’ or ‘Off’ level to disable noise cancellation completely.

For Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones, press and hold the NC/Ambient button to cycle through the noise cancelling modes. Hold the button until you hear the voice prompt for ‘Noise Cancellation: Off’ to turn off the feature.

With AirPods Pro, open your iPhone’s Control Center while wearing the AirPods. Long press on the volume control to access the noise control modes. Tap ‘Off’ to disable noise cancellation.

Refer to the manual or product website for your specific headphones model for detailed steps on how to turn off noise cancellation. Most headphones with this feature have a dedicated noise cancellation button or setting that can toggle the mode on and off.

Disabling Noise Cancellation on Your Phone

The process for turning off noise cancellation will vary depending on if you have an iPhone or Android device. Here are the basic steps for both:

iPhone

To disable noise cancellation on an iPhone:

Open the Settings app
Tap Accessibility

Tap Audio/Visual
Turn off the toggle for Phone Noise Cancellation

This will disable any noise cancellation features during phone calls. To disable noise cancellation for music/media playback, you will need to adjust the settings on your specific headphones or earbuds (like AirPods Pro). Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Android

The process on Android varies by device model and manufacturer. But in general:

Open the Settings app
Tap Sound/Audio & vibration

Look for an option like “Noise cancellation” or “Noise reduction” and turn it off

On some phones like the Samsung Galaxy S22, go to Advanced features > Voice clarity and turn off any noise reduction options (Source).

For calling only, go to Call settings and disable Noise cancellation. For media audio, check headphone or app settings.

Using Your Device’s Settings

Many smartphones and audio devices have built-in settings to control noise cancellation features. On an iPhone or iPad, you can adjust noise cancellation by going to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual, and toggling the “Noise Cancellation” option on or off (1). Android devices may have similar toggles under Sound settings or Accessibility settings.

For wireless headphones like AirPods Pro or AirPods Max, you can disable noise cancellation by going into your Bluetooth device’s settings under Accessibility. Turn the “Noise Cancellation” setting off to disable the feature (2).

These settings allow you to turn noise cancellation on or off as needed without downloading any extra apps. Just be aware that fully disabling noise cancellation means you’ll hear more ambient noise around you.

Trying a Noise Cancellation App

Some third-party apps have settings or toggles to control the noise cancellation feature on headphones or phones. Here are a few options to try:

Krisp – Available for iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac, Krisp has a toggle to turn noise cancellation on or off during calls. It can suppress background noise whether noise cancellation is active or not.

NoiseGator – This background noise removal app for Windows and Mac can override your device’s noise cancellation settings to suppress ambient sounds.

Some music and audio apps like Spotify have in-app settings to disable noise cancellation effects that may alter sound quality. Check your preferred apps for a noise cancellation toggle.

Turning off noise cancellation in a third-party app typically only applies while the app is in use. To disable it completely, adjust the settings on your headphones or device.

Using Airplane Mode

One simple way to disable noise cancellation is by turning on airplane mode on your device. Airplane mode disconnects all wireless radios on your phone, tablet, or headphones.

This means the microphones used for noise cancellation will be disabled, stopping the active noise cancellation feature. According to Apple Discussions [1], airplane mode used to be an effective way to stop noise cancellation from causing chiming noises overnight.

Turning on airplane mode is an easy switch to flip to disable noise cancellation temporarily. Just remember to turn it off again when you want to reenable noise cancellation or reconnect to WiFi and cellular networks.

Troubleshooting Tips

If noise cancellation suddenly stops working, try rebooting your headphones or phone. Powering them off and back on can help reset any software issues. For wireless headphones and earbuds like AirPods Pro, place them back in the case for at least 30 seconds before reconnecting.

Also check for any available software updates. Manufacturers like Apple and Bose release firmware updates that can improve noise cancellation performance. Make sure your device and paired headphones are running the latest version.

On iPhones, you can check for iOS updates in Settings > General > Software Update. For AirPods, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the “i” next to your AirPods, and choose Update to check if new firmware is available.

For other headphones like Sony and Bose, you may need to connect them to your computer and use their provided software update tools. Keeping the firmware updated ensures you have any bug fixes and optimizations that improve active noise cancellation.

Living Without Noise Cancellation

While noise cancellation technology can be helpful for blocking out environmental sounds, there may be times when you want to disable it and instead hear the ambient noise around you. There are a few alternatives to consider if you don’t want to rely on noise cancellation:

Wear earplugs or earmuffs to passively reduce noise. This allows you to control the level of sound reduction. Look for noise reduction ratings (NRR) of 20-30 decibels for effective dampening in noisy environments [1].
Avoid very noisy areas when possible. If you need quiet, opt for spaces away from loud traffic, construction, crowds, and other noise pollution sources.

Sound maskers or white noise machines can cover up distracting sounds with a consistent background noise. The sound masking effect may be preferable if you find sudden noises particularly disruptive [2].
Use materials like curtains, rugs, and acoustic wall panels to absorb sound in noisy rooms. Strategically placed soft furnishings dampen echoes and reverberation [3].

With some planning, you can reduce dependence on noise cancellation technology and train your mind to better cope with everyday noise distractions. But for those times when you really need to concentrate, noise cancellation can be an invaluable tool.

Summary

In this article, we covered several methods for disabling or turning off noise cancellation on both headphones and smartphones. The main options included using your device’s built-in settings, whether that’s in the Sound or Accessibility menus, trying third-party noise cancellation apps, toggling Airplane Mode, and troubleshooting your headphones.

While noise cancellation can be helpful in loud environments, there are times when you may want an unfiltered listening experience. Just remember that completely blocking ambient sound can be risky from a safety perspective. Use the techniques covered here wisely and toggle noise cancellation on or off according to your situational needs.

With some trial and error across your devices, you should be able to find a simple way to turn off noise cancellation when desired. Just be careful not to accidentally leave it off all the time, unless you have a specific reason to do so.