For many people, headphones have become essential in everyday life. Whether for streaming music, attending virtual meetings, or enjoying podcasts on the go, many of us use earphones every day. However, with this huge rise in use comes an important question: Can headphones cause hearing loss?
Understanding how sound affects our ears is crucial in determining whether or not your listening habits could lead to permanent hearing damage. In this article, we examine how headphones can impact hearing and offer tips to help you protect your ears while still enjoying your favorite audio.
How Headphones Can Contribute to Hearing Loss
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a common condition that affects over 10 million people in the U.S. alone1. Our inner ears contain delicate hair cells that play a vital role in sound processing. Prolonged exposure to loud noise, including that from headphones, can damage these critical structures resulting in hearing damage.
Headphones themselves are not dangerous, but unsafe listening habits are. Below, we look at key factors that contribute to hearing loss due to improper headphone use:
High Volume and Duration of Use
Any sound over 70 dB (decibels) has the potential to cause hearing damage with prolonged exposure. Many headphones, when turned up to the maximum volume, can exceed well over 100+ dB, which can cause permanent hearing damage in less than 15 minutes.
The duration of listening is just as critical. Even sounds at lower decibels can be harmful if you’re exposed for extended periods without giving your ears a break. The longer you listen to loud audio, the more damage is done. In fact, a recent study found that people whose headphone usage exceeded 80 minutes a day were 4.5 times more likely to develop hearing damage2.
Types of Headphones
Headphones come in a variety of different styles. Different types of headphones present varying levels of risk when it comes to hearing loss:
- In-ear headphones (earbuds): In-ear headphones sit directly inside the ear canal and closer to the inner ear, which increases sound intensity as well as the risk of hearing damage.
- Over-the-ear headphones: Like earmuffs, over-the-ear headphones cover the entire ear, which can help block out external noise. This design can make it easier to hear the audio at lower volumes. This is why over-ear headphones are generally considered safer than in-ear styles, provided they are used at reasonable volumes.
No matter the style, all headphones have the potential to damage your hearing if used irresponsibly. The combination of high volume and prolonged exposure can significantly contribute to noise-induced hearing loss, making it essential to be mindful of listening habits.
Do Noise-Canceling Headphones Protect Your Hearing?
Noise-canceling headphones can be a valuable tool in protecting your hearing, but only when used responsibly. The primary benefit of noise-canceling headphones is their ability to minimize external sounds, so you can hear the audio more clearly without turning the volume up. This can significantly reduce the risk of exposure to harmful decibel levels, but only if you keep the volume at a safe level.
This is why it’s still just as important to remain aware of volume levels even when using noise-canceling features.
Tips to Prevent Hearing Loss While Using Headphones
Protecting your hearing while enjoying your favorite audio entertainment doesn’t have to be complicated. By adopting the right strategies, you can effectively minimize the risk of permanent hearing loss while using headphones:
Keep Your Volume at a Safe Listening Level
One of the best things you can do to protect your hearing from damage is to keep the volume at a safe listening level. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) recommends keeping the volume below 70 dB3.
A good rule of thumb: If you can hear the audio from your headphones when they are not on your head, they are too loud.
Give Your Ears a Break
For every hour of headphone use, consider taking a 5 to 10-minute break. This allows your ears to recover from the exposure and can help prevent fatigue and discomfort.
This combined with safe listening volumes is called the 60/60 rule, which means listening for no more than 60 minutes at a time without exceeding 60% of the maximum volume.
Use Noise-Cancelling Headphones Responsibly
Although noise-cancelling headphones block out background sounds and encourage listening at lower volumes, they can still pose a risk to your hearing. This risk arises when the volume is high or if you use them for too long without taking a break.
To use noise-cancelling headphones responsibly, keep volume levels below 70 dB and take listening breaks every hour or so.
Learn the Warning Signs of Hearing Damage
Recognizing the early signs of hearing damage is key to preventing further harm. Early detection can help prevent further hearing loss and allow for timely intervention. Pay attention to the following warning signs:
- Ringing, hissing, or buzzing sound (tinnitus)
- Distorted or muffled hearing
- Pressure in the ears or a feeling of fullness
- Difficulty hearing soft sounds
If you experience any of these signs, it’s important to see a hearing healthcare specialist for a hearing test as soon as possible.
Schedule Regular Hearing Exams
If you frequently use headphones, it’s important to schedule routine hearing exams even if you don’t experience any noticeable symptoms. Noise-induced hearing loss often develops progressively, so symptoms may not be noticeable until permanent damage is already done.
These check-ups allow your hearing specialist to detect even the smallest changes in your hearing, allowing you to implement the right strategies in time to prevent further damage.
Protect Your Hearing Now and For Years to Come at Audibel
Noise-induced hearing loss cannot be reversed, but it can be prevented. By implementing safe listening habits, you can enjoy your headphones while significantly reducing the risk of hearing loss.
At Audibel, our team of hearing healthcare specialists is dedicated to helping you experience the joy of hearing for years to come. Don’t wait until it’s too late—take control of your hearing health and schedule a hearing exam today.
References
- Noise-Induced hearing loss. (2022b, March 16). NIDCD. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss
- Dehankar, S. S., & Gaurkar, S. S. (2022). Impact on hearing due to prolonged use of audio devices: A literature review. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.31425
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). Loud noise dangers. https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/loud-noise-dangers
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