FIGHTING NOISE WITH ANTINOISE

High-tech earphones are desinged for pilots of small jets and other light aircraft. They are
made to protect you from noise. Instead of just softening the drumming engine noise with
thick layers of plastic foam, these earphones eliminate sound electronically. Inside of them
there is a microfone that picks up the unwanted noise and noise is reduced when the two
waves cancel eachother. Aviation headset costs 965$ and is made by Bose manufacturer of
hi-fi speakers. The advantage of these earphones is that it leaves human voices, alarms and
other useful sounds untouched. There are two ways to generate an antinoise wave- analog
approach and digital. Antinoise systems are used by many firms in the U.S. and Europe. They
are not perfect, because they cannot stop random or unexpected noises. One more problem
is that none of the antinoise devices are very good at canceling high-pitched sequels and
whistles.