# ANC
> ANC uses microphones and processing to reduce steady background noise in headphones or earbuds.
Topics: Audio, Wearables
Difficulty: Everyday
Aliases: active noise cancellation, noise cancelling
Updated: 2026-06-26T08:00:00.000Z
## Go deeper
ANC uses microphones and processing to reduce steady background noise in headphones or earbuds. In everyday buying decisions, the useful question is not just what the spec says, but what it changes for comfort, cost, speed, safety, or battery life.