Noise-Cancelling Headphones for Focus - Complete Guide

# Noise-Cancelling Headphones for Programming

class NoiseCancellationAnalysis {
  constructor() {
    this.technologies = {
      active: {
        name: 'Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)',
        description: 'Uses microphones and electronics to cancel noise',
        mechanism: 'Generates anti-noise signals',
        effectiveness: 'High for low-frequency sounds',
        power: 'Requires battery power',
        cost: 'Higher cost',
        suitability: 'Most programming scenarios'
      },
      
      passive: {
        name: 'Passive Noise Isolation',
        description: 'Physical barriers to block sound',
        mechanism: 'Ear cup design and materials',
        effectiveness: 'Good for high-frequency sounds',
        power: 'No power required',
        cost: 'Lower cost',
        suitability: 'Basic noise reduction'
      },
      
      hybrid: {
        name: 'Hybrid Noise Cancellation',
        description: 'Combines active and passive methods',
        mechanism: 'Both electronic and physical',
        effectiveness: 'Excellent across frequency range',
        power: 'Requires battery power',
        cost: 'Highest cost',
        suitability: 'Professional use'
      }
    };
    
    this.noiseTypes = {
      lowFrequency: {
        name: 'Low Frequency Noise',
        examples: ['Air conditioning', 'Traffic rumble', 'Engine noise'],
        frequency: '20-200 Hz',
        cancellation: 'Excellent with ANC',
        impact: 'Reduces background hum'
      },
      
      midFrequency: {
        name: 'Mid Frequency Noise',
        examples: ['Conversations', 'Phone rings', 'Office chatter'],
        frequency: '200-2000 Hz',
        cancellation: 'Good with ANC',
        impact: 'Reduces speech interference'
      },
      
      highFrequency: {
        name: 'High Frequency Noise',
        examples: ['Keyboard clicks', 'Mouse clicks', 'Paper rustling'],
        frequency: '2000-20000 Hz',
        cancellation: 'Better with passive isolation',
        impact: 'Reduces sharp sounds'
      }
    };
  }
  
  analyzeNoiseEnvironment(environment) {
    const analysis = {
      noiseProfile: this.assessNoiseProfile(environment),
      cancellationNeeds: this.assessCancellationNeeds(environment),
      recommendations: this.generateRecommendations(environment),
      effectiveness: this.calculateEffectiveness(environment)
    };
    
    return analysis;
  }
  
  assessNoiseProfile(environment) {
    const profile = {
      lowFrequency: this.measureLowFrequency(environment),
      midFrequency: this.measureMidFrequency(environment),
      highFrequency: this.measureHighFrequency(environment),
      overall: this.calculateOverallNoise(environment)
    };
    
    return profile;
  }
  
  measureLowFrequency(environment) {
    const sources = environment.noiseSources || [];
    let score = 0;
    
    if (sources.includes('air_conditioning')) score += 30;
    if (sources.includes('traffic')) score += 25;
    if (sources.includes('construction')) score += 20;
    if (sources.includes('machinery')) score += 15;
    
    return {
      level: score >= 50 ? 'High' : score >= 25 ? 'Medium' : 'Low',
      score: score,
      impact: 'Background hum and rumble'
    };
  }
  
  measureMidFrequency(environment) {
    const sources = environment.noiseSources || [];
    let score = 0;
    
    if (sources.includes('conversations')) score += 30;
    if (sources.includes('phone_calls')) score += 25;
    if (sources.includes('meetings')) score += 20;
    if (sources.includes('music')) score += 15;
    
    return {
      level: score >= 50 ? 'High' : score >= 25 ? 'Medium' : 'Low',
      score: score,
      impact: 'Speech and communication interference'
    };
  }
  
  measureHighFrequency(environment) {
    const sources = environment.noiseSources || [];
    let score = 0;
    
    if (sources.includes('keyboard_clicks')) score += 25;
    if (sources.includes('mouse_clicks')) score += 20;
    if (sources.includes('paper_rustling')) score += 15;
    if (sources.includes('footsteps')) score += 10;
    
    return {
      level: score >= 40 ? 'High' : score >= 20 ? 'Medium' : 'Low',
      score: score,
      impact: 'Sharp, distracting sounds'
    };
  }
  
  calculateOverallNoise(environment) {
    const profile = this.assessNoiseProfile(environment);
    const totalScore = profile.lowFrequency.score + 
                      profile.midFrequency.score + 
                      profile.highFrequency.score;
    
    return {
      level: totalScore >= 100 ? 'High' : totalScore >= 50 ? 'Medium' : 'Low',
      score: totalScore,
      rating: totalScore >= 100 ? 'Very Noisy' : 
              totalScore >= 50 ? 'Moderately Noisy' : 'Quiet'
    };
  }
  
  assessCancellationNeeds(environment) {
    const needs = {
      active: this.assessActiveCancellationNeed(environment),
      passive: this.assessPassiveCancellationNeed(environment),
      hybrid: this.assessHybridCancellationNeed(environment)
    };
    
    return needs;
  }
  
  assessActiveCancellationNeed(environment) {
    const profile = this.assessNoiseProfile(environment);
    let need = 0;
    
    // Low frequency noise requires active cancellation
    if (profile.lowFrequency.level === 'High') need += 40;
    else if (profile.lowFrequency.level === 'Medium') need += 25;
    else need += 10;
    
    // Mid frequency noise benefits from active cancellation
    if (profile.midFrequency.level === 'High') need += 30;
    else if (profile.midFrequency.level === 'Medium') need += 20;
    else need += 10;
    
    return {
      need: need,
      priority: need >= 60 ? 'High' : need >= 40 ? 'Medium' : 'Low',
      reason: 'Active cancellation effective for low and mid frequency noise'
    };
  }
  
  assessPassiveCancellationNeed(environment) {
    const profile = this.assessNoiseProfile(environment);
    let need = 0;
    
    // High frequency noise requires passive isolation
    if (profile.highFrequency.level === 'High') need += 40;
    else if (profile.highFrequency.level === 'Medium') need += 25;
    else need += 10;
    
    // Overall noise level affects passive need
    if (profile.overall.level === 'High') need += 30;
    else if (profile.overall.level === 'Medium') need += 20;
    else need += 10;
    
    return {
      need: need,
      priority: need >= 60 ? 'High' : need >= 40 ? 'Medium' : 'Low',
      reason: 'Passive isolation effective for high frequency noise'
    };
  }
  
  assessHybridCancellationNeed(environment) {
    const profile = this.assessNoiseProfile(environment);
    let need = 0;
    
    // High overall noise requires hybrid approach
    if (profile.overall.level === 'High') need += 50;
    else if (profile.overall.level === 'Medium') need += 30;
    else need += 15;
    
    // Multiple frequency ranges require hybrid approach
    const frequencyCount = [profile.lowFrequency, profile.midFrequency, profile.highFrequency]
      .filter(freq => freq.level === 'High' || freq.level === 'Medium').length;
    
    if (frequencyCount >= 2) need += 30;
    else if (frequencyCount >= 1) need += 15;
    
    return {
      need: need,
      priority: need >= 70 ? 'High' : need >= 50 ? 'Medium' : 'Low',
      reason: 'Hybrid approach provides comprehensive noise cancellation'
    };
  }
  
  generateRecommendations(environment) {
    const recommendations = [];
    const needs = this.assessCancellationNeeds(environment);
    
    if (needs.active.priority === 'High') {
      recommendations.push({
        type: 'Active Noise Cancellation',
        priority: 'High',
        description: 'Use headphones with active noise cancellation',
        reason: 'Effective for low and mid frequency noise',
        examples: ['Sony WH-1000XM4', 'Bose QuietComfort 45', 'Apple AirPods Pro']
      });
    }
    
    if (needs.passive.priority === 'High') {
      recommendations.push({
        type: 'Passive Noise Isolation',
        priority: 'High',
        description: 'Use headphones with good passive isolation',
        reason: 'Effective for high frequency noise',
        examples: ['Audio-Technica ATH-M50x', 'Sennheiser HD 280 Pro', 'Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro']
      });
    }
    
    if (needs.hybrid.priority === 'High') {
      recommendations.push({
        type: 'Hybrid Noise Cancellation',
        priority: 'High',
        description: 'Use headphones with hybrid noise cancellation',
        reason: 'Comprehensive noise cancellation across all frequencies',
        examples: ['Sony WH-1000XM5', 'Bose QuietComfort Earbuds', 'Sennheiser Momentum 4']
      });
    }
    
    return recommendations;
  }
  
  calculateEffectiveness(environment) {
    const needs = this.assessCancellationNeeds(environment);
    const profile = this.assessNoiseProfile(environment);
    
    let effectiveness = 0;
    
    // Active cancellation effectiveness
    if (needs.active.priority === 'High') effectiveness += 40;
    else if (needs.active.priority === 'Medium') effectiveness += 25;
    else effectiveness += 10;
    
    // Passive isolation effectiveness
    if (needs.passive.priority === 'High') effectiveness += 30;
    else if (needs.passive.priority === 'Medium') effectiveness += 20;
    else effectiveness += 10;
    
    // Overall noise level impact
    if (profile.overall.level === 'High') effectiveness += 30;
    else if (profile.overall.level === 'Medium') effectiveness += 20;
    else effectiveness += 10;
    
    return {
      score: effectiveness,
      rating: effectiveness >= 80 ? 'Highly Effective' : 
              effectiveness >= 60 ? 'Effective' : 
              effectiveness >= 40 ? 'Moderately Effective' : 'Limited Effectiveness',
      factors: {
        active: needs.active.priority,
        passive: needs.passive.priority,
        overall: profile.overall.level
      }
    };
  }
}

class HeadphoneTypes {
  constructor() {
    this.types = {
      overEar: {
        name: 'Over-Ear Headphones',
        description: 'Large ear cups that completely cover ears',
        characteristics: {
          comfort: 'Excellent for long sessions',
          isolation: 'Excellent passive isolation',
          sound: 'Superior sound quality',
          portability: 'Less portable',
          battery: 'Long battery life'
        },
        pros: ['Superior comfort', 'Excellent sound quality', 'Great noise isolation', 'Long battery life'],
        cons: ['Less portable', 'Can be heavy', 'May cause heat buildup'],
        suitability: 'Desk-based programming, long sessions'
      },
      
      onEar: {
        name: 'On-Ear Headphones',
        description: 'Smaller ear cups that rest on ears',
        characteristics: {
          comfort: 'Good for medium sessions',
          isolation: 'Good passive isolation',
          sound: 'Good sound quality',
          portability: 'More portable',
          battery: 'Good battery life'
        },
        pros: ['More portable', 'Good sound quality', 'Reasonable comfort', 'Good battery life'],
        cons: ['Less comfortable for long sessions', 'Less noise isolation', 'May cause ear fatigue'],
        suitability: 'Mixed use, moderate sessions'
      },
      
      inEar: {
        name: 'In-Ear Headphones',
        description: 'Small earbuds that fit inside ear canal',
        characteristics: {
          comfort: 'Good for short sessions',
          isolation: 'Excellent passive isolation',
          sound: 'Good sound quality',
          portability: 'Very portable',
          battery: 'Limited battery life'
        },
        pros: ['Very portable', 'Excellent noise isolation', 'Good sound quality', 'Discrete'],
        cons: ['Limited comfort for long sessions', 'Short battery life', 'May cause ear fatigue'],
        suitability: 'Portable use, short sessions'
      },
      
      trueWireless: {
        name: 'True Wireless Earbuds',
        description: 'Completely wireless earbuds with no cables',
        characteristics: {
          comfort: 'Good for short sessions',
          isolation: 'Good passive isolation',
          sound: 'Good sound quality',
          portability: 'Extremely portable',
          battery: 'Limited battery life'
        },
        pros: ['Extremely portable', 'No cables', 'Good sound quality', 'Modern features'],
        cons: ['Limited comfort for long sessions', 'Short battery life', 'Easy to lose'],
        suitability: 'Portable use, short sessions'
      }
    };
  }
  
  evaluateHeadphoneType(headphoneType, useCase) {
    const evaluation = {
      suitability: this.assessSuitability(headphoneType, useCase),
      comfort: this.assessComfort(headphoneType, useCase),
      performance: this.assessPerformance(headphoneType, useCase),
      value: this.assessValue(headphoneType, useCase)
    };
    
    return evaluation;
  }
  
  assessSuitability(headphoneType, useCase) {
    const suitabilityMatrix = {
      overEar: {
        desk_programming: 10,
        long_sessions: 10,
        portable_use: 3,
        short_sessions: 7,
        budget: 6
      },
      onEar: {
        desk_programming: 8,
        long_sessions: 7,
        portable_use: 8,
        short_sessions: 9,
        budget: 8
      },
      inEar: {
        desk_programming: 6,
        long_sessions: 5,
        portable_use: 10,
        short_sessions: 9,
        budget: 9
      },
      trueWireless: {
        desk_programming: 7,
        long_sessions: 6,
        portable_use: 10,
        short_sessions: 9,
        budget: 5
      }
    };
    
    const factors = suitabilityMatrix[headphoneType];
    const totalScore = Object.values(factors).reduce((sum, score) => sum + score, 0);
    const averageScore = totalScore / Object.keys(factors).length;
    
    return {
      score: averageScore,
      rating: averageScore >= 8 ? 'Excellent Match' : 
              averageScore >= 6 ? 'Good Match' : 
              averageScore >= 4 ? 'Fair Match' : 'Poor Match',
      factors: factors
    };
  }
  
  assessComfort(headphoneType, useCase) {
    const comfortScores = {
      overEar: 9,
      onEar: 7,
      inEar: 6,
      trueWireless: 6
    };
    
    return {
      score: comfortScores[headphoneType] || 5,
      rating: comfortScores[headphoneType] >= 8 ? 'Very Comfortable' : 
              comfortScores[headphoneType] >= 6 ? 'Comfortable' : 'Moderately Comfortable'
    };
  }
  
  assessPerformance(headphoneType, useCase) {
    const performanceScores = {
      overEar: 9,
      onEar: 7,
      inEar: 7,
      trueWireless: 6
    };
    
    return {
      score: performanceScores[headphoneType] || 5,
      rating: performanceScores[headphoneType] >= 8 ? 'Excellent Performance' : 
              performanceScores[headphoneType] >= 6 ? 'Good Performance' : 'Fair Performance'
    };
  }
  
  assessValue(headphoneType, useCase) {
    const valueScores = {
      overEar: 7,
      onEar: 8,
      inEar: 8,
      trueWireless: 6
    };
    
    return {
      score: valueScores[headphoneType] || 5,
      rating: valueScores[headphoneType] >= 8 ? 'Excellent Value' : 
              valueScores[headphoneType] >= 6 ? 'Good Value' : 'Fair Value'
    };
  }
}

class FocusEnhancement {
  constructor() {
    this.enhancementTechniques = {
      ambient: {
        name: 'Ambient Sound',
        description: 'Background sounds to enhance focus',
        types: ['White noise', 'Pink noise', 'Brown noise', 'Nature sounds'],
        benefits: ['Masks distracting sounds', 'Improves concentration', 'Reduces stress'],
        suitability: 'Open office environments'
      },
      
      binaural: {
        name: 'Binaural Beats',
        description: 'Audio frequencies to influence brain waves',
        types: ['Alpha waves', 'Beta waves', 'Theta waves', 'Gamma waves'],
        benefits: ['Enhances focus', 'Improves concentration', 'Reduces anxiety'],
        suitability: 'Deep work sessions'
      },
      
      music: {
        name: 'Focus Music',
        description: 'Music specifically designed for concentration',
        types: ['Instrumental', 'Classical', 'Electronic', 'Ambient'],
        benefits: ['Improves mood', 'Enhances creativity', 'Reduces fatigue'],
        suitability: 'Creative programming tasks'
      },
      
      silence: {
        name: 'Complete Silence',
        description: 'No audio input for maximum focus',
        types: ['Pure silence', 'Minimal ambient', 'Breathing sounds'],
        benefits: ['Maximum concentration', 'Reduces auditory fatigue', 'Improves clarity'],
        suitability: 'Complex problem-solving'
      }
    };
  }
  
  recommendFocusTechnique(workType, environment) {
    const recommendations = [];
    
    if (workType === 'deep_programming') {
      recommendations.push({
        technique: 'Binaural Beats',
        reason: 'Enhances focus for complex coding tasks',
        priority: 'High'
      });
      
      recommendations.push({
        technique: 'Ambient Sound',
        reason: 'Masks distracting background noise',
        priority: 'Medium'
      });
    }
    
    if (workType === 'creative_programming') {
      recommendations.push({
        technique: 'Focus Music',
        reason: 'Enhances creativity and inspiration',
        priority: 'High'
      });
      
      recommendations.push({
        technique: 'Ambient Sound',
        reason: 'Creates conducive environment',
        priority: 'Medium'
      });
    }
    
    if (workType === 'debugging') {
      recommendations.push({
        technique: 'Complete Silence',
        reason: 'Maximum concentration for problem-solving',
        priority: 'High'
      });
      
      recommendations.push({
        technique: 'Binaural Beats',
        reason: 'Enhances analytical thinking',
        priority: 'Medium'
      });
    }
    
    if (environment === 'noisy_office') {
      recommendations.push({
        technique: 'Ambient Sound',
        reason: 'Masks office noise and distractions',
        priority: 'High'
      });
    }
    
    if (environment === 'quiet_home') {
      recommendations.push({
        technique: 'Complete Silence',
        reason: 'Leverages quiet environment for maximum focus',
        priority: 'High'
      });
    }
    
    return recommendations;
  }
  
  calculateFocusImprovement(technique, workType) {
    const improvements = {
      binaural: {
        deep_programming: 25,
        creative_programming: 15,
        debugging: 20,
        general: 18
      },
      ambient: {
        deep_programming: 20,
        creative_programming: 18,
        debugging: 15,
        general: 17
      },
      music: {
        deep_programming: 15,
        creative_programming: 25,
        debugging: 10,
        general: 16
      },
      silence: {
        deep_programming: 30,
        creative_programming: 10,
        debugging: 35,
        general: 20
      }
    };
    
    const improvement = improvements[technique]?.[workType] || improvements[technique]?.general || 10;
    
    return {
      improvement: improvement,
      rating: improvement >= 25 ? 'Highly Effective' : 
              improvement >= 20 ? 'Effective' : 
              improvement >= 15 ? 'Moderately Effective' : 'Limited Effectiveness'
    };
  }
}