I listened to an episode of The Documentry earlier about headphone usage, which made me reflect, albeit briefly, on my usage.
I consider a pair of noise-cancelling over-ear headphones essential for:
- journeys on public transport
- focused work/study in an office/library
- reading in a cafe
They are optional, but sometimes nice to have on
- some dog walks
- in the supermarket
- running errands
- cooking[1]
I would never use them
- running or cycling
- at the climbing gym
- hiking[2]
Mostly, I listen to people talking
- documentary / news podcasts
- bbc radio 4 (for the above & the occasional comedy (isihac))
- FIP[3][4]
- brown noise
Using the following apps
- bbc sounds
- AntennaPod
- RadioDroid
- soothing noise player
Am I in a bubble when wearing them? Yes. Do I think that's a bad thing? Not really, no. Am I deliberately signalling "leave me alone"? Yes, a bit. Is that a bad thing?