Noise Cancelling Headphones - good idea or terrible idea?

Noise cancelling headphones are a great idea. I have some as well and they reduce anxiety and the likelihood of being overwhelmed by sounds. I have ear plugs as well which can be useful and less noticeable, if your worried about people staring for instance. Give them a go and see if that helps. Let us know 

Noise cancelling headphones was one of the best purchases I ever made i don’t leave the house without them.

if sensory overload is a problem for her like it is for me when she’s out it’s the best thing I have to help

Could be regarded as a safety behaviour, which while probably helpful in the moment, is something that I think should be avoided as that's just another thing she'll have to tackle later.  Far better to face her struggles while she's young, they'll only become engrained as she gets older.

Tbf I was also quite surprised with the 90 day trial period! 3 months is crazy!! So they must be confident.

I've had various in ear ones from Bose, all with the "Stay Hear" tips (think that's what they were called). You get a variety of sizes to suit and they're hands down the most comfortable ear buds ever. I've tried a few different brands recently but havent found anythign that comes close for sound or comfort..

Cool, yeh I've never had better headphones than the Bose around ear ones. Managed to get a pair in the sales. But after 5 years the padding is failing a little, and with the obviousness been looking in ear. They look like rubberised plugs? I've struggled with the likes of beats etc due to finding them painful

Bose Quiet Comfort 20 are in-ear and the noise cancelling is pretty close to the larger around ear models. It also has an "awareness mode" where you can toggle the noise cancelling on and off. Not sure about the later models though (I worked for Bose for quite a while but left in 2015 so I'm a little out of the loop) 

I have noise cancelling headphones and they are such a good investment. 

Most headphones use a combination of 2 different types of noise cancellation - Active, which uses microphones and electronics to monitor and cancel background noise, and Passive which is basically just blocking sound (like ear defenders or covering you ears). Active cancellation is particularly effective at removing lower frequencies which would include general background noise aircraft noise etc. but less effective at higher frequencies such as individual voices, car horn etc. I would say they would be ideal for screening out unwanted noise, but would only be as isolating as the user intends them to be.

Not sure whether you would think they were appropriate for your daughters or not (they're not cheap and I'd be wary of letting my son use mine) but can personally vouch for Bose Quiet Comfort headphones. There are various styles depending on preference but anything in the Quiet Comfort range is superb.      

Hey, do you have the quietcomfort headphones or earbuds? I've had the headphones before. Best thing ever. But I didn't like wearing them at say the pub, because of the size and obviousness. I'm keen on the in ear buds, but keen for an opinion on the comfort? 

I have a pair of bose quietcomfort headphones that I would recommend. They actively block out most noise.

Noise cancelling doesn't have to be on, so they can work as regular earphones.

I also have a pair of noise induction earphones that don't go in the ear, letting me listen to a distraction and be able to hear (in case there's a danger).

If anyone has found some that work well I would very much like recommendations.

I normally listen to audiobooks to put my mind somewhere while I journey to my destinations, however this can bite me in the *** when I get where I am going, as I need to snap back to reality. 

I have always wondered about noise cancelling headphones but the buy in, for something I am not sure works for me, seems high.  

Thanks all!

I think they can be useful. We have quite a few students in school who use them - not in class, but in noisy places like the corridors and the canteen. I've tried the headphones, but I have quite a few cartilage piercings, and having the headphones pressing on them was painful. I've got some earbuds now, but I only tend to use them on the rare occasions I use trains, because some people really can't get the hang of the quiet coach...

You have a valid point, personally I would get my kids normal head phones so they can hear me making an effort to speak.  I would of thought these would be for people with enhanced anxiety living on there own :-/ maybe 

my opinion 

Noise cancelling headphones are good for people who become overwhelmed by lots of background noise (or noise in general) My noise cancelling ear buds have a variable level so you can set it anywhere between no noise cancelling and total noise cancelling, useful if I want to hear traffic or someone talking to me