Have you ever used your stereo, especially portable .mp3 players, to block out the noise around you? And before long, your volume is cranked up and you didn't even know it? We posted earlier about decibels and at what levels they can start to damage our ears. So how do you deal with the issue of enjoying your audio safely over the everyday noises of life ?

One solution is to invest in some noise cancellation headphones. The first thing you should know is that there are two types: Passive and Active. Passive are low tech head phones that simply block out exterior noise by sealing off the ear, e.g. the headphones one wears at a shooting range. Active headphones, on the other hand, are much more complicated and contain tiny microphones that detect and filter out ambient noise before reaching the ears.

I have had a pair of the Quiet Comfort Bose noise cancellation headphones (active) for about 3 years now, and I can say that yes, they do work. I have been able to listen to my .mp3 player and watch movies on my laptop at safe levels while tuning out all of the yak yak going on around me. These types of headphones are more expensive than the normal ones you can pick up at Best Buy for $19.99. But, in my opinion, well worth the money.

So, be careful.  The next time you are trying to tune in to your favorite podcast or the new Christina Aguilera CD on your .mp3 player, and want to tune out exterior noises such as the lawnmower, inconsiderate teenaged drivers with souped up sound systems, or your neighbors arguing - go easy on your ears and try some noise cancellation headphones.  You'll do your internal audio circuitry some good.

For more information on the Bose noise cancellation headphones, please visit www.Bose.com