Empty Nest Home Exec

Cut out the Background Noise (on phones anyway)!

As an empty nest home exec, I spend a lot of time on the phone with my four kids and as my grandchildren get older, I can even talk to them. Sometimes I’m just focused on them, but often, I multi-task. Unfortunately, as an iPhone user AirPods are TERRIBLE about picking up background noise!! I would often hear from my kids, “What are you doing?? It’s so loud!” And all I was doing was dishes – quietly!! Luckily there’s a solution!! VOICE ISOLATION!

Here are all the details – 

Android – Since I don’t have ALL the phones, here is a little info to get you pointed in the right direction. Google Pixel phones 7 and later have a mode called “Clear Calling”. You find it in the Sound & Vibration section of Settings.

Samsung Mid Range Phones have a feature called Voice Focus while the S23 series has a built in noise cancellation microphone (so you shouldn’t have this problem). 

Apple – In iPhone 8 and later, there is a feature called “Voice Isolation.” In iPhones model X and later, you access the pull down menu by pulling down on the right corner of the screen. These menus are contextual – so if you are not on a phone call, it might look something like this:

If you ARE on a phone call you can see the box in the upper right corner changes to offer you a “Mic Mode” box. My mic mode is set to standard. If you touch that box, you get this popup menu and you can select “Voice Isolation”. Using AirPods, it does an excellent job of filtering out background noise. 

Warning – if you have Voice Isolation on when you are on speakerphone you will get told that you are cutting out – A LOT. So you will need to switch back to Standard when you take a call on speakerphone.

As a bonus, there is also a wide spectrum setting. I had never tried this – but it is intended to improve group speakerphone calls by picking up ALL the background noise!! I’ll definitely be trying that in the future!!

And there it is!! Your quick tip of the week!

One response to “Cut out the Background Noise (on phones anyway)!”

  1. […] and walls? empty the dishwasher?) and do a little multi tasking while I catch up with the kids. (You may want to check out this quick tip for cutting out background noise) Let me know how you go!! What did you accomplish in five […]

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