Most earplugs and earmuffs simply act as a barrier to block or muffle sound. Noise-cancelling headphones (and now some in-ear devices) can reduce unwanted sound by using active noise-control ...

Foam earplugs can reduce your noise exposure by about 20 decibels ... Or you can use over-the-ear earmuffs, which are easier to put on and take off but can be hotter and bulkier.