How does anti-noise cancelling work? Like if I am listening to grenades go off?

[Kendo]

If I'm at a rock concert or next to a grenade range with deafening noises, does ANC simply fake or "mask" the external volume or do the opposite soundwaves actually reduce the volume in your ear?

If I go to a rock concert every day for a year at deafening volume, I would imagine it would severely damage my hearing. What if I go to that same rock concert every day with ANC AirPods? Will I still severely damage my hearing but I simply won't feel the pain of the loud noise similar to the way novacaine works when I get my teeth pulled? Meaning the pain (loudness) is still real but is simply hidden/masked?

 

[Mackilroy]

Active noise cancelation does protect against loud noises - it’s real - but it can only do so much. You’re better off with passive noise isolation.

 

[waw74]

for really loud environments, or places with quick loud sounds like a gun range, passive isolation is recommended, Think old school over the ear noise cancelling.

They do have some now that have a microphone to let sound in with speakers in ears, but because everything you hear is going though the electronics, its much easier for them to lower or completely block loud noises.

 

[Jackbequickly]

The pressure wave from grenades going off can not be negated by AirPods. Passive is the only way to go.