frzrdr2,

Hi. You mentioned..

"I don't have any MP3 player, so how would the headphones help me? Sorry to be so dense...they would just add another layer of noise protection? Wouldn't I just get a better set of earplugs?"

Mark explained it well. You don't need to have an mp3 player. The Bose QuietComfort headphones are battery operated (1 AAA comes with).

You can wear them without switching them on which would be just muffled like a set of earplugs as you described. (not very effective at all)

Or, you can use them without an mp3 player and you will not need the cord. This just uses the noise cancellation.There is a switch on one of the earpieces. What you would do!

Or finally, you can listen to your music which also uses the noise cancellation. So pretty much your music is of very clear quality because of the lack of ambient noise.

For example, I used the noise cancellation only when walking through the security lines, crowds, etc.

When I needed to really relax once inflight I listened to my spa music which automatically activates the nc feature.

Like Mark explained, the headphones send out frequencies that counteract the noise you hear. There is a slight pressure feeling when you wear them. But, they are very soft around your ears and do not put much pressure where a tension headache causes pain. The ones that you saw at sam's are probably a different model like you mentioned. Here is the demo for the ones that I am talking about.

http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/...t_15/index.jsp

You can watch the video... and decide. Best wishes!

I now wear them occasionally during those horrible moments when I just need to completely relax in the midst of an excruciating headache or if I have to ride around in the city. I can imagine with all your traveling they would be wonderful.They kind of make a quiet calm place so your brain doesn't have to process every little noise. Granted, they don't block out everything and you can still hear people talking next to you... but every little bit helps.

http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/...ones/index.jsp

I think these are the headphones so I posted a link... Wow you were right very expensive little critters aren't they!!!

Great info postconcussion and I appreciate knowing how you handled the traveling. I do get anxious, something that I normally don't experience, in new/loud situations and using the headphones makes sense. I understand better now how they work (batteries turned on deals with the noise suppression).

Mark, I couldn't handle flying coach with my concussion issues even as slight as they seem now, so my family is flying me first class so I can be with everyone! What a treat, so at least I can relax a little bit more and am not so crowded & noisyfor 18+ hours. I just could not handle that right now...so thanks for the heads up Mark as to flying issues.

I think I will go with the Bose $300 (gulp) and get them now and wear them around to see how I handle the pressure on my head..that's what I'm most worried about.although I bet I could let the headpiece rest on my neck and it would be fine. I'll also go to Walmart or Dicks and get some hunting earplugs and see how those work out.

Have a great time!!!!!!

After some internet research I decided to bite the bullet and order a pair of Sennheiser PXC450 noise cancelling headphones. I got them on Amazon and I'll report back as to how they work. They are my holiday gift to myself and I hope they really work as well as all the reviews say they do.