Noise-cancelling headphones are everywhere—helping us focus, block distractions, and shield our ears from loud environments. But could this constant “tuning out” be making it harder for young brains to tune in when it matters?
Audiologists are noticing a worrying trend: more young people are struggling to process sound, despite having no measurable hearing loss. Take Sophie, a 25-year-old from London, who was diagnosed with auditory processing disorder (APD) after finding everyday noises overwhelming. Her story, highlighted by the BBC, is part of a growing wave of APD cases among people who don’t fit the typical risk profile.
Hearing vs. Listening: What’s the Difference?
APD is often linked to neurodivergence, brain injuries, or childhood ear infections. But now, experts are asking: could prolonged noise-cancelling headphone use be contributing to auditory processing issues in a broader population?
“There’s a difference between hearing and listening,” says Renee Almeida, an adult audiology clinical lead at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. “We’re seeing that listening skills are suffering.”
Claire Benton, vice-president of the British Academy of Audiology, warns this could be especially concerning for younger users. “Those more complex, high-level listening skills in your brain only really finish developing towards your late teens. So, if you’ve only been wearing noise-cancelling headphones and living in this false world, you might be delaying your ability to process speech and noise.”
How Lockdowns Changed Listening Habits
The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped our relationship with sound. Lockdowns left many more sensitive to noise, while remote work boosted our reliance on headphones and subtitles. A YouGov survey found that 61% of 18-24-year-olds now prefer watching TV with subtitles—even if they have no hearing issues.
Dr. Angela Alexander, an audiologist, worries this shift could weaken our natural ability to process sound in real time. “What happens if we don’t investigate this link?” she asks. “There are a lot of well-meaning parents and teachers who think the answer to children having problems with noise is to wear earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.”
While noise-cancelling headphones create a controlled listening experience, some experts fear they might dull the brain’s ability to handle real-world sound. Benton explains, “If you’re constantly blocking everyday sounds, like traffic, your brain might start to ‘forget’ how to filter them out. You’ve created this false environment where you only listen to what you want to hear—you’re not working at it.”
The Challenge of Diagnosing and Treating APD
Diagnosing APD isn’t easy. Tests can take up to two hours and often involve cognitive assessments. In England, the Royal National ENT and Eastman Hospital is the only NHS provider offering full APD assessments for adults—with a nine-month waiting list.
Treatment options include word-in-noise training exercises and low-gain hearing aids. But for adults outside the education system, accessing these resources can be tough.
Experts agree: moderation is key. “Try reducing headphone use or using transparency modes that let in some background sound,” suggests Dr. Alexander. “Your brain needs practice processing a variety of sounds, not just the ones you choose to hear.”
The Big Question: Is It Time To Tune Back In?
As noise-cancelling tech becomes ubiquitous, it’s worth asking: are we tuning out too much of the world? Listening isn’t just about volume – it’s about the brain’s ability to filter and focus on the right sounds.
Maybe it’s time to stop silencing the noise and start training our ears to navigate it. After all, the world is full of sound – and some of it might even be worth hearing!