ELI5 Noise Canceling - why are noise cancelling headphones more effective with low pitch sounds but not with high pitched frequencies?

What is the difference between noise canceling and noise isolating headphones? Why aren't noise cancelling headphones as effective in cancelling high pitch sounds as they are in cancelling low pitch sounds? Can noise canceling headphones be harmful to your hearing?

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Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community, and specifically the following reddit users whose questions and responses formed the basis of this conversation: skippy7890, bluefire009, viskerratio, van-nostrand-md, MG2R, umaijcp, jazztaprazzta, montebious, afcagroo, garyfirestorm

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