10 Mar 2024

David McAlpine: Is noise cancelling technology safe?

From Sunday Morning, 10:06 am on 10 March 2024

Noise cancelling devices are big business, and it’s no surprise with excess noise exposure linked not only to hearing loss but even increased risk of cardiovascular disease and depressive symptoms. 

But it turns out too much noise reduction comes with its own warnings. Multiple studies have shown that constant earplug wearing, day and night, over just one week is enough to result in new-onset tinnitus.  

Professor David McAlpine, is the academic director of Macquarie University Hearing. He joins Jim Mora to discuss the pros and cons of noise cancelling technology. 

People are seen taking pictures of the setting sun in central Warsaw, Poland on April 4, 2019. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto) (Photo by Jaap Arriens / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP)

Photo: JAAP ARRIENS