Earphones are a set of small loudspeakers worn around or on the ears of a person. They are electronic transducers, which convert an electric signal into a corresponding sound. There are three main types of earphones: supra-aural headphones, circumaural headphones and ear buds. While each type has its own advantages, there are some disadvantages associated with each one, so a person needs to be very careful while selecting his or her type of earphone.
For the best sound quality, it is always better to use earphones with good noise isolation. Noise isolation is defined as the ability of the earphones to adequately block out external sounds from the outside environment so that you can hear only what is coming through your ears. Noise isolation is very important because you wouldn’t want to listen to music played at full blast through your neighbor’s stereo system; it is much better to hear only the music that is meant to be heard in your ears. Noise isolation is very important because it ensures that you do not hear a muffled or distorted sound from your speakers. In addition, it ensures that you do not experience any feedback, that is, the noise from your speakers may cause an imbalance in your hearing.
The third type of earphone, ear buds, are made especially for listening to music on your portable electronic devices such as cell phones and MP3 players. Ear buds are attached to the ear canal by means of tiny earphone connectors, so that you can enjoy your favorite tunes without having to wear headphones. However, ear buds are also prone to providing feedback because the wires connecting them are often curved or wrapped around the ear canal and can trap air between the wires, thereby damping out the sound. Another disadvantage of ear buds is that their design often does not allow for easy removal of the wires; in this regard, it may be more convenient to use the in-ear headphone models. There is no doubt that you will have to make your decision carefully when purchasing earphones because every model has its advantages and disadvantages.