Whether you’re hoping to envelop your ears in music, or just block out the sound of a screaming baby, Sony's latest cans could be the answer. The electronics giant claims to have released the world’s first pair of digital noise-cancelling headphones.

Sony's digital noise cancelling headphones: a world first?

Analogue noise-cancelling headphones significantly reduce background noise by picking ambient sounds up using microphone near your ear then inverting and playing this soundwave through the cans to cancel the annoyance out.

Four sound modes cut out 99 per cent of ambient noises

Sony’s 'phones do the sound-cancelling digitally in software, which the company claimed makes for more effective noise cancellation over analogue. Analogue noise-cancellation cans are typically 80-90 per cent effective. Sony said its digital version is 99 per cent effective.

Two 40mm drivers are hidden inside the headphones and will cancel noise for about 15 hours from the internal lithium-ion battery. AA batteries can also be slotted in if you run out of juice.

Sony’s MDR-NC500D headphones are available online now for $400 (£200/€250). They will be available in Europe shortly.

Related stories

• British troops to wear smart earplugs in Afghan combat (6 February 2009)
• JVC pitches deeper driver in-ear 'phones (23 July 2008)
• Klipsch targets headphones at big ears (4 June 2008)
• Marathons to face iPod ban? (1 April 2008)
• Adidas coaches Samsung on phone design (6 March 2008)
• Japanese joggers to get exercise earphones with attitude (27 February 2008)
• Sony beams down Bluetooth Walkman (20 February 2008)
• Logitec reinvents the Bluetooth headset (26 January 2008)