I don't care too much about listening to music, just trying to cut down on the noise with half doors and dump trucks passing by.
I do have an android phone though I might connect to.
I do have an android phone though I might connect to.
Anyone use noise cancelling earbuds while driving?
- Thread starter Flyer58
- Start date
If a cop sees it he’ll probably give you grief. I believe that’s illegal (because you could have music going and be totally oblivious to sounds around you theoretically). I am sure noise canceling buds would work well though. I use my AirPods Pro to mow the grass with and I don’t need any sort of earmuffs or anything to hear the music crystal clear with how good the cancellation is.
For driving, I’ve found using earplugs works well and I don’t think they are illegal since you can still hear the loud important stuff.
For driving, I’ve found using earplugs works well and I don’t think they are illegal since you can still hear the loud important stuff.
I’ve used my Airpods Pro to cut down on wind and road noise. I usually don’t use them to play audio, because I have to crank the volume so high to hear it I think it might cause hearing damage. I turn off the noise cancellation as well because it blocks too many important sounds for safety. Just sitting in the ear like basic ear plugs cuts down road noise nicely.
OP
Dang new phone and I didn't have my password. Thanks for the input. I do wear the foamy rollers ear plugs when taking longer trips or going on the highways and no radio to blast. Good points about noise cancelling taking out all external sounds.
Thanks.
Thanks.
It might be illegal to have noise-canceling in. However, it might not be obvious that your buds are noise-canceling. If you try it, let us know how you like it.
OP
I'm in Texas and there is no rule, law or regulation saying you can't use headphones or earbud type devices. I don't have a radio installed so any music or phone calls would be through my phone. I asked some friends and they can connect their earbuds to their car but only talk on the phone. They can't listen to music and phone. Maybe a blue tooth issue? I don't know. I'm looking for sound attenuation like the foamy rollers I've been using.
After checking around I see they cost upward of $100 or $150 so that might stop me right there.
After checking around I see they cost upward of $100 or $150 so that might stop me right there.
Depends on state. Most states have no law either way, some say you can cover one ear but not both. In Texas where myself and the OP are at there is no law either way.
On my CJ5 I used a portable aircraft intercom with headsets for passenger to passenger comms, music, and 2 way radio use. But really the primary use was hearing protection. I spent 13 years of my life working on military aircraft and am currently a firefighter. I try to preserve my hearing as much as I can.
On the YJ I stepped up the game a little bit and I am using SENA TUFF TALK LITEs. This is quite an expensive option though, at around 250 dollar each new. But earmuffs will be better and more effective, though goofier looking than earbuds, lol. These are Bluetooth based intercom headsets that will also Bluetooth to a phone for music and phone calls. This company started out in the motorcycle Bluetooth communicator market and branched out from there. Their noise-canceling mics are some of the best around. This also allows me to connect to a Bluetooth "hub" that I have my 2 way radio (Motorola M1225 Radius) connected to, and I can make radio calls at speed basically hands free.
If you are looking for active noise-canceling, yeah, you're going to have to spend a little bit. There are lots of options on Amazon that are on the lower end of the price spectrum, around the 30 to 50 dollar range. But just like with the foam style ear plugs it may take some effort and a few tries to find a set that works with your specific ear shape. I have a set of Samsung Galaxy ear buds that I got as remans for around 80 dollars. There are other brands like Anker and Raycon that have active noise-canceling buds for around 100 dollars as well.
Another option is Bluetooth style ear muffs that just do sound, such as the 3M Worktunes ear muffs, that round around 50 dollars or so. I've got a set of these for yard work, though any more I typically grab one of the SENAs out of the Jeep, and they sound good and have good NRR rating.
The cheapest option other than foam earplugs is going to be a set of wired earbuds with foam tips on them. These are typically dirt cheap but you may have to go though a few sets to find a set that works well in your ears.
I've got a lot of experience with various options from a few decades of riding motorcycles and using various setups in Miatas, Jeeps, and other open-top style vehicles.
As for legality. Here are the states where it's outright illegal to use headphones when driving.
As for safety. None of these options completely block out the outside world. They're most effective in certain frequencies and less effective in others. I've ridden an almost literal million miles on motorcycle wearing ear plugs or buds. Plus who knows how many miles in open top vehicles using either plugs, buds or muff style hearing protection. You can still hear traffic, you can still hear sirens and horns and every other thing in the world around you. But it's reduced. To me, it's many times a safer option, especially on longer drives. If you've never operated with hearing protection for long periods, there is a marked difference in your fatigue levels when you aren't being blasted with hearing unsafe levels of noise for long periods of time.