I'm currently working in a smallish office where people arrayed around a group of tables chat to each other during the day. I'm hoping to find very comfortable headphones for listening to music (mostly just soft wordless music - my base station is Pandora's 'classical for studying' station) that will let me not hear voices, but also will not leak and be obnoxious for my colleagues. [more inside]
posted by Salamandrous on Jun 17, 2013 - 19 answers

A few years ago I heard a popular scientist on the radio discussing the effects of listening to music via earbud headphones. He said that if someone can hear the music I'm listening to, I am doing permanent damage to my ears. Is this true? I would appreciate reference to any peer-reviewed scientific research on this topic, if available.
posted by paleyellowwithorange on Jan 3, 2012 - 10 answers

I've had enough of all of my Shure in-ear isolating earbuds dying on one side. My right bud died suddenly, and this is the third pair in a row. I've had this pair for less than 6 months. Could you recommend a durable pair of isolating/noise cancelling earbuds/headphones with a few requirements? [more inside]
posted by flibbertigibbet on Nov 28, 2011 - 32 answers

How can I keep listening to music on the bus without exacerbating my easily irritable skin with earbuds, or causing hearing loss? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 8, 2009 - 6 answers

Noise cancelling headphones for use in a home office with young children around. Comfortable for all day use and not too expensive. Possible? [more inside]
posted by DarkForest on Sep 3, 2008 - 12 answers

Two questions about noise cancelling headphones: 1) Are JVC HA-NC80s any good?; and 2) Are NC headphones (in general) bad for your hearing? [more inside]
posted by blapst on Jul 10, 2007 - 11 answers

How can I get my noise-cancelling headphones working on my old TV? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by Ptrin on Feb 7, 2004 - 3 answers