An apparatus for controlling sound within a vehicle includes an acoustical damping device operable to determine a measured sound. The acoustical damping device is operable to output a noise canceling signal to a vehicle audio system to dampen the measured sound. A sound controller is operably coupled to the acoustical damping device and is configured to automatically receive an environment signal from an environment sensor. The sound controller is configured to determine an operating mode of the vehicle based on the environment signal. The operating mode is selectable from an operating mode list that includes a stress operating mode and a calm operating mode. The sound controller is configured to cause alteration of the noise canceling signal and reduction in damping in the stress operating mode with respect to the calm operating mode.