| MP3 players and portable CD players usually | | | | listen to, noise reduction headphones can |
| come with the standard "earbud" headphones. | | | | keep the volume at a comfortable level and |
| Earbuds fit into the ear like a hearing aid | | | | allowing you to enjoy your music in the |
| and are lightweight and portable. Their | | | | top-quality manner that it is intended to be |
| advantages, however, stop there. When it | | | | heard. |
| comes to the quality of the music you are | | | | |
| listening to, that quality can be greatly | | | | The portability of MP3 players encourages |
| diminished due to the inability of earbud | | | | prolonged use, especially by teenagers. |
| headphones to filter out the noises that you | | | | Unfortunately, the combination of increased |
| are not interested in listening to; such as | | | | volume and longer listening time may cause |
| the voices, car engines, train noises, and | | | | hearing damage which can lead to hearing |
| barking dogs that may be all around you when | | | | loss. The use of noise reduction headphones |
| you are out in public. | | | | can help protect hearing by delivering music |
| | | | without the increased decibel level. This |
| One of the great advantages of MP3 players, | | | | also allows listener to enjoy their music |
| such as iPods, and portable CD players is | | | | longer without suffering hearing damage. |
| that you can take them with you wherever you | | | | |
| go. Sometimes the very reason for bringing | | | | Noise reduction headphones work not only by |
| them along on an outing is so that you can | | | | surrounding your ears, therefore helping to |
| entertain yourself while you are engaged in | | | | block out outside noises, but also by using |
| other activities, such as jogging, riding on | | | | noise-cancellation technology, which further |
| the subway, or waiting in line at the | | | | enhances your "music only" experience. Not |
| Department of Motor Vehicles. Soothing music | | | | only do noise reduction headphones help to |
| being piped into your ear can go a long way | | | | filter out all noises except what your MP3 |
| in easing tension when you are running | | | | player is outputting, they also contain your |
| errands; and upbeat, rhythmic music can help | | | | music thus not disturbing those around you. |
| tremendously when you are exercising and need | | | | The noise reduction works both ways - you |
| incentive to go that extra mile. | | | | hear your music like you are supposed to, and |
| | | | others don't have to listen along with you. |
| Fortunately, there is an excellent | | | | |
| alternative to earbud headphones. Noise | | | | A good set of noise reduction headphones does |
| reduction headphones can enhance the quality | | | | not have to be cumbersome, either. Taking |
| of the music you are listening to by making | | | | into consideration what portable music device |
| sure that you get nothing but the music, in | | | | users need, the makers of noise reduction |
| exactly the way you should be hearing it. | | | | headphones are making their product light, |
| While earbuds sit inside your ear, possibly | | | | foldable, and easily portable. |
| causing irritation and discomfort, headphones | | | | |
| are styled to fit around your ear like | | | | When you purchase your MP3 player or portable |
| earmuffs, guaranteeing that they will not | | | | CD player, one of the best things you can do |
| only reduce outside noise, but will feel | | | | after that is to put aside the earbud |
| comfortable as well. While, with earbuds you | | | | headphones that come with it and buy a good |
| usually have to increase the volume to be | | | | set of noise reduction headphones. You won't |
| able to hear the music that you are trying to | | | | be sorry. |