Do noise-canceling headphones/buds deteriorate?

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I'm wondering if noise-canceling headphones/buds' ability to actively cancel noise deteriorate over time. Or do they suddenly start malfunctioning (suddenly lose the ability to cancel noise)?

I have several noise-canceling headphones/buds and recently I can help feeling I hear more outside noise than before. However, that seems to be happening to multiple sets at the same time, which makes me wonder if it's actually I becoming sensitive...

They could be deteriorating, but my guess is the world in general is getting louder. Noise cancelling does much better against constant noise, not sudden loud, bursts of noise, so that could also be an issue.