The most common uses and for field recording where a loudspeakers would be impractical or for musicians in the studio who need to hear each other or previously recorded tracks for overdubbing. Four types of headphones are common. The enclosed headphone seals outside sound out and inside sound in. It is best used in noisy environments, as it has difficulty consistently reproducing bass frequencies since the seal against the head varies with pressure, hair and eyeglasses. The Open headphone is usually more accurate, consistent and lower in cost for the same performance as an Enclosed headphone.
Comfort is usually higher since less pressure is required against the ear.
Musicians often prefer them when playing or singing since they can hear some natural sound through them. The third type could use either Open or Enclosed but is designed for voice communications, intercom, or language lab use. The frequency response is tailored for clear voice reproduction and not for music. The forth is in-ear earphones . Used when talent is either on-camera or performing and does not want the phone visible.