When listening to your iPod or MP3 player, you want a good pair of headphones that allows you to listen to your music without interference from background noises. Currently, there are two types of technology that strive to allow you to do this. One of them uses an electronics method to reduce noise while the other seeks to isolate the noise. Known as noise cancelling and sound isolating headphones, both types have their benefits and knowing this can help you better decide which kind you need.

Noise Cancelling Headphones go beyond traditional headphone technology and do more than simply block out the sounds. These headphones have been designed to efficiently and effectively block out noise before the wearer ever hears it. Noise cancelling headphones actually are able to transmit the opposite sound which negates the original offending sound. This task is accomplished with the addition of a small microphone that is embedded in the headphone. This microphone is always listening for noises and working to cancel them out. One of the drawbacks of this kind of headphone is that batteries are required. However, the benefits of cleaner and focused sound seem to outweigh this factor.

Sound isolating headphones use more traditional approaches to reducing noise. These work without a battery, unlike noise cancelling headphones. What sound isolating headphones do is create a seal with the ear canal. This is essentially what ear plugs do as well. This seal keeps any outside sounds from interfering with the sound. These do also come in earphone styles as do the noise cancelling technology. Usually sound isolating headphones have some sort of spongy material that is used to help create the seal. One drawback many people find with sound isolating headphones is that they are uncomfortable. It takes quite a bit of time and effort to find a pair that fits properly. If choosing ear buds they have to be the correct size to create the seal. Too small and sounds cannot be isolated. Too large and they still have trouble creating a seal because they will not stay in the ear. Some manufacturers have solved these problems by designing noise isolating headphones with interchangeable tips.