Psychology says people who use extra-large headphones on flights aren't necessarily trying to avoid everyone around them. For some passengers, the headphones are a way to manage noise, reduce unwanted conversations and create a sense of personal space. Flying can expose people to engine sounds, announcements, conversations and crying children for several hours. Passengers also cannot choose who sits beside them or control the sounds around them. Large over-ear headphones can help reduce this sensory input. They can also send a clear social signal that the person does not want to talk. This behaviour can therefore be understood through ideas linked to personal boundaries, sensory management and selective attention.
