Could it be that Bose does not have the same technology as others? Perhaps the Apple technology takes things to a different level?Here's some information from Bose on how they use active and passive noise cancellation.
"Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds utilize both passive and active noise reduction technologies. Passive noise reduction is similar to when you wear earplugs; there is a physical blockage preventing some of the sound from entering your ear. This is achieved through the earbud design with materials such as silicone eartips, and the acoustic seal created by having a proper fit.
For active noise cancellation, your earbuds use sophisticated proprietary electronics with microphones both inside and outside the earbuds. The electronics system senses the sound in almost any environment and then measures, compares, and reacts — instant by instant — to produce an opposing cancellation signal."
I don't have a clue and no horse in any race that might be involved.
BUT I think if I were to have the ability to design a system that protected the user, but still offer safety aspects, so that the user could hear sounds they would normally hear, if the dangerous noise were not present, I would design a system that attenuated all sounds that were loud enough to be dangerous, but let all other sounds that were at a lower level pass through, at least in one setting if ANC were not selected.
Really I have no clue what the reality is today. Just trying to understand more...