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Noise-Cancelling Earbuds & Motion Sickness

Why AirPods Pro are recommended — but not required.

Stillwave works with any earbuds, but we recommend noise-cancelling models like AirPods Pro. Here's why — and what you need to know.

Why Noise Cancelling Helps

The 100 Hz therapeutic tone needs to reach your inner ear at the right volume (80-85 dBZ) to activate the otoconia. Background noise — engine rumble, road noise, airplane hum — can mask or interfere with the tone.

Active noise cancellation removes ambient low-frequency noise, allowing the 100 Hz tone to reach your vestibular system more cleanly. This is especially important in cars and airplanes where engine noise occupies similar frequency ranges.

Think of it like having a conversation in a quiet room versus a busy restaurant. The message is the same, but delivery is clearer without competing noise.

Any Earbuds Still Work

The Nagoya University study used external speakers, not earbuds. Earbuds deliver the sound even closer to your ear canal, which can compensate for the lack of noise cancellation.

If you don't have noise-cancelling earbuds, regular earbuds or headphones work. Just make sure they fit snugly to create a basic seal against outside noise.

The most important thing is that you can hear the tone clearly for the full 60 seconds.

Recommended Earbuds

Not recommended: bone conduction headphones (don't seal the ear canal) or speakers (ambient noise interference)

  • AirPods Pro — excellent noise cancellation, widely available
  • AirPods 4 (ANC model) — good noise cancellation, comfortable fit
  • Any earbuds with active noise cancellation from major brands
  • Over-ear headphones with ANC for maximum noise isolation

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need AirPods Pro specifically?

No. Any earbuds work. AirPods Pro are recommended because their noise cancellation helps the 100 Hz tone reach your inner ear more effectively, but they're not required.

Can I use the phone speaker instead?

We don't recommend it. Phone speakers struggle to produce clear 100 Hz tones, and ambient noise in a vehicle would mask the sound. Earbuds deliver the tone directly to your ear canal.

Does the original Nagoya study use earbuds?

No. The study used external speakers positioned near the ears. Earbuds are Stillwave's practical adaptation — they deliver 100 Hz even closer to the ear canal than the study's speakers.

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