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Cutting out the noise

Semiconductor-based, noise-canceling devices shield you from distractions, so you can focus more, work smarter, and think more clearly

25 years Infineon
Article
5 min read

May 29, 2025

In a noisy office, on a call in a bustling café or while searching for a moment of zen before bed, distractions like background noise can transform the simplest of tasks into insurmountable challenges. Filtering out that noise isn’t just helpful – it’s essential for maintaining clarity and balance in daily life.

Janina, noise-canceling user, understands this fact full well. Whether she’s coordinating team efforts in her job, managing complex timelines or planning personal events, her ability to stay focused is paramount to her success. Noise-cancelling technology plays a crucial role in helping her maintain that focus – not just at work, but throughout her day.

By turning down the unwanted noise and turning up what she wants to hear, modern active noise-cancelling (ANC) innovations create a buffer from the chaos. It keeps people like Janina grounded during meetings, engaged in conversations and present in every moment that matters. For her, it’s not just about comfort and convenience – ANC is an essential tool for staying composed, connected and on-point in a world full of distractions.

Turning up the clarity

At the heart of these mini anchors in the sea of everyday chaos are advanced MEMS microphones, which act as sensors, transforming incoming pressure waves into analog or digital outputs. Infineon has taken MEMS microphones to the next level to enable world-class ANC and supreme sound quality thanks to its unique patented SDM technology. Standing for sealed-dual membrane, SDM microphones are more robust against water and dust and capture a wider range of sound pressure levels, meaning Infineon’s microphones have the lowest sound distortion and can eliminate outside noises.

Three infographics about Infineon microphones in headphones: on the left, green headphones next to the text ‘1.4 billion’ with the caption: The global headphone market is expected to reach 1.4 billion units by 2029; in the centre, an illustration of wireless in-ear headphones next to the text ‘Inside of renowned brands’ with the caption: Infineon MEMS microphones are used by some of the world's most prestigious brands - thanks to Infineon's patented technology; To the right, an illustration of a MEMS microphone is shown alongside the label “12x”, highlighting that high-end headphones can include up to twelve Infineon microphones.
Three infographics about Infineon microphones in headphones: on the left, green headphones next to the text ‘1.4 billion’ with the caption: The global headphone market is expected to reach 1.4 billion units by 2029; in the centre, an illustration of wireless in-ear headphones next to the text ‘Inside of renowned brands’ with the caption: Infineon MEMS microphones are used by some of the world's most prestigious brands - thanks to Infineon's patented technology; To the right, an illustration of a MEMS microphone is shown alongside the label “12x”, highlighting that high-end headphones can include up to twelve Infineon microphones.
Three infographics about Infineon microphones in headphones: on the left, green headphones next to the text ‘1.4 billion’ with the caption: The global headphone market is expected to reach 1.4 billion units by 2029; in the centre, an illustration of wireless in-ear headphones next to the text ‘Inside of renowned brands’ with the caption: Infineon MEMS microphones are used by some of the world's most prestigious brands - thanks to Infineon's patented technology; To the right, an illustration of a MEMS microphone is shown alongside the label “12x”, highlighting that high-end headphones can include up to twelve Infineon microphones.
Portrait of Janina smiling and looking to the side. She is wearing white noise-canceling headphones and sitting at a screen in a bright office. In the background, people are working. Janina has long, wavy brown hair and is dressed in a white t-shirt and a brown cardigan.
Portrait of Janina smiling and looking to the side. She is wearing white noise-canceling headphones and sitting at a screen in a bright office. In the background, people are working. Janina has long, wavy brown hair and is dressed in a white t-shirt and a brown cardigan.
Portrait of Janina smiling and looking to the side. She is wearing white noise-canceling headphones and sitting at a screen in a bright office. In the background, people are working. Janina has long, wavy brown hair and is dressed in a white t-shirt and a brown cardigan.

Beyond noise canceling: discover where our acoustic sensors are making a difference

For starters, numerous healthcare devices depend on the same technology. As crucial component in hearing aids, they improve speech clarity for those with hearing loss and also lie at the heart of medical diagnostic devices to detect subtle changes in respiratory or cardiac sounds. And because MEMS microphones are in low-power mode up to 90% of the time, they promote well-being with optimized energy efficiency.

Infographic showing consumer products that use Infineon silicone microphones. In the center, there is an illustration of a microphone with lines connecting to eight other illustrations: (wireless) headphones and earphones, (wireless) microphones and studio recording, hearing aids, automotive microphones, laptops and tablets, smart phones, smart glasses, and conference systems.
Infographic showing consumer products that use Infineon silicone microphones. In the center, there is an illustration of a microphone with lines connecting to eight other illustrations: (wireless) headphones and earphones, (wireless) microphones and studio recording, hearing aids, automotive microphones, laptops and tablets, smart phones, smart glasses, and conference systems.
Infographic showing consumer products that use Infineon silicone microphones. In the center, there is an illustration of a microphone with lines connecting to eight other illustrations: (wireless) headphones and earphones, (wireless) microphones and studio recording, hearing aids, automotive microphones, laptops and tablets, smart phones, smart glasses, and conference systems.

Modern cars are equipped with MEMS microphones as well, enabling advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) by improving voice recognition and in-car communication. Plus, the tiny sensors enable a range of innovative audio features in all kinds of smart devices.

Close-up of a hand in front of a gray background, with a small black microphone resting on the fingertip. The microphone features four yellow rectangles and several concentric yellow circles, highlighting its internal structure or design.
Close-up of a hand in front of a gray background, with a small black microphone resting on the fingertip. The microphone features four yellow rectangles and several concentric yellow circles, highlighting its internal structure or design.
Close-up of a hand in front of a gray background, with a small black microphone resting on the fingertip. The microphone features four yellow rectangles and several concentric yellow circles, highlighting its internal structure or design.

Industry-leading performance: XENSIV™ MEMS microphones

With high precision, exceptional signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and ultra-low self-noise, XENSIV™ MEMS microphones are optimized for active noise cancellation (ANC), beamforming and voice-user interfaces. They provide low distortion and high-fidelity sound in compact form factors such as earbuds, noise-canceling headphones, conference systems, laptops, tablets and smart speakers. Their ultra-low power consumption extends battery life, ensuring efficient operation in always-on devices while meeting the growing demand for energy-efficient IoT solutions.

XENSIV™ MEMS microphones use Sealed Dual Membrane (SDM) technology to block water and dust and thus prevent failures caused by mechanical blockage and electrical leakage. Their design ensures reliable performance in harsh environments via minimal mesh protection. As the world’s best-selling MEMS microphones, they enhance safety and efficiency, meeting AEC-Q103-003 standards for in-car voice control, ANC and hands-free communication. With billions deployed globally, XENSIV™ sensors drive innovation in automotive safety, electrification, industrial automation and smart applications.

A young woman with long wavy hair sits smiling in a coral-colored high-back sofa. She is wearing a grey sweater and light-colored pants, holding a grey tablet in her hands. She is wearing noise-canceling headphones and appears to be speaking to someone via the tablet. In the background, indoor plants are visible.
A young woman with long wavy hair sits smiling in a coral-colored high-back sofa. She is wearing a grey sweater and light-colored pants, holding a grey tablet in her hands. She is wearing noise-canceling headphones and appears to be speaking to someone via the tablet. In the background, indoor plants are visible.
A young woman with long wavy hair sits smiling in a coral-colored high-back sofa. She is wearing a grey sweater and light-colored pants, holding a grey tablet in her hands. She is wearing noise-canceling headphones and appears to be speaking to someone via the tablet. In the background, indoor plants are visible.
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A teal-colored logo featuring the number 25 in large, stylized lettering. Next to it, the text reads 'Years Infineon Matters to me' in the same color. The logo represents Infineon’s 25th anniversary.
A teal-colored logo featuring the number 25 in large, stylized lettering. Next to it, the text reads 'Years Infineon Matters to me' in the same color. The logo represents Infineon’s 25th anniversary.
A teal-colored logo featuring the number 25 in large, stylized lettering. Next to it, the text reads 'Years Infineon Matters to me' in the same color. The logo represents Infineon’s 25th anniversary.