Whether you’re commuting, working out, or working at your desk, for many of us, music helps get us through the day. Moreover, thanks to the rise of streaming platforms and the ubiquity of smartphones and laptops, taking your favorite tunes on the go has never been easier. It’s no wonder that headphones and earbuds have become everyday essentials, spotted everywhere from subway cars and city sidewalks to office cubicles and fitness gyms. As music enthusiasts, our ears are among our most cherished possessions. In this article, we’ll delve into the health and safety aspects of headphone use, examining the various styles available, smart strategies to protect your hearing, and practical hygiene tips to keep your listening experience both safe and enjoyable.
- The Safest Headphones for Your Ears
- The Importance of Decibels & Downtime
- How Tight Should My Headphones Be?
- Why You Need to Keep Your Headphones Clean
The Safest Headphones for Your Ears
Sweetwater customers often ask: Which type of headphones are safest for long listening sessions? How can I avoid hearing damage while using them? Are over-ear and on-ear headphones better for ear health than earbuds? Do noise-canceling models protect or harm your ears? These are just some of the important questions our customers regularly bring to us, and we’re here to provide the answers.
When asked which are the safest style of headphones, Sandra Honeycutt, board-certified physician assistant at Berger Henry ENT, recommends over-ear and on-ear headphones, citing their ability to seal off the ear and reduce ambient noise. She maintains that earbuds are less effective at canceling out background noise, which means you’ll likely turn up your volume. Moreover, Honeycutt notes that earbuds sit closer to your sensitive eardrums, further compounding the issue.
Dr. Colin Driscoll, MD, board-certified Otolaryngologist and Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery at the Mayo Clinic, agrees, advising that earbuds intensify sound pressure since they deliver sound directly into your ear canal, which can be cause for concern. Over-ear and on-ear headphones, on the other hand, spread the sound more externally, potentially reducing the direct pressure on the eardrum.
Regardless of which style of headphones you choose, Dr. Kevin H. Franck, PhD, a licensed audiologist, advises that you should use headphones with noise canceling in loud listening environments. Available in over-ear, on-ear, and earbud styles, noise-canceling headphones enable you to listen at lower volumes since you don’t need to drown out background sounds. In other words, noise-canceling headphones help — rather than harm — your hearing.
The Importance of Decibels & Downtime
One of the most common concerns about headphones is how to listen at safe volumes. And rightly so, as noise-induced hearing loss is a serious and often irreversible consequence of prolonged exposure to high volumes. When it comes to headphones, the real issue isn’t so much about the type you use but how you use them. Safe listening habits make all the difference.
So, how loud should you listen? And for how long? These are pertinent questions, as safe listening should factor in both decibel levels and amount of time spent listening; the higher the decibels, the less time you can listen safely at that level. A good rule of thumb is to follow the 60/60 rule, which states that you should listen at no more than 60 percent of your headphone’s maximum volume for 60 minutes at a time. This ensures that you listen at a reasonable volume and that you give your ears a sufficient break. Experts offer varying opinions on how long you should let your ears rest between 60-minute listening sessions. Sandra Honeycutt suggests a minimum of 10 minutes to allow your ears to recover, yet other experts recommend a full 60-minute rest period.
Dr. Brian Fligor, PhD, an audiologist and prior Chief Development Officer of Lantos Technologies, offers a supplementary formula — the 80/90 rule — advising that if you listen at 80 percent of your device’s maximum volume, then you should do so for no more than 90 minutes per day. Dr. Sharon Sandridge, PhD, audiologist and emeritus staff at the Cleveland Clinic, also subscribes to the 80/90 rule.
Last, if you’re concerned about the hard numbers, then we recommend that you listen at about 80dB, which corresponds to somewhere between the volume of a noisy restaurant and that of heavy city traffic. Those listening to music via their Apple iPhone can easily take command of their maximum listening volume by switching on the Reduce Loud Audio function using the device’s Headphone Safety settings accessed from the Sounds & Haptics submenu in the Settings application.
How Tight Should My Headphones Be?
Just like a well-tailored outfit, having well-fitted headphones can make all the difference in terms of both comfort and sound quality. For over-ear styles, the earcups should fully enclose your ears without causing pressure points, and adjustable headbands let you dial in the ideal fit for long listening sessions. Think of it like trying on a jacket: if it’s too tight or loose, then it throws everything off. For in-ear models, manufacturers usually include a selection of eartips in various sizes and materials, such as foam or silicone. Trying these out helps you find a just-right feel that’s snug enough to stay secure but comfortable enough to forget you’re even wearing them.
If your over-ear or on-ear headphones give you a headache or an earache or simply feel too tight, then it’s likely due to too much clamping force. The easiest solution is to bend the headband or adjust its sliders. Alternatively (or additionally), especially if your headphones are brand-new, you can break them in by stretching them over an object slightly wider than your head and letting them rest in that position for a day or two.
Do your ears feel sore or chafed after a listening session? Since most headphones are designed as one-size-fits-all items according to average ear and head sizes, this leaves many listeners suffering in hidden discomfort. So, what can you do about it? To start, if your headphones feature rotating earcups, then you may have enough latitude to conform them to the unique contours of your face. You can also stretch the earpads by placing them over a cup or a similarly shaped round object and letting them sit for a few hours. If all else fails, then you can invest in replacement earpads, such as these, crafted from softer materials, such as memory foam and protein leather. Similarly, if your earbuds are causing ear pain, then try swapping out the eartips for a different size or a softer material.
Finally, if your over-ear or on-ear headphones cause you to develop a tender spot on the crown of your head, then you’re likely dealing with too little clamping force, inadequate headband padding, or both. Loose-fitting headphones cause pain because the lack of clamping force causes the headband to rest firmly on top of your head. Moreover, this discomfort is compounded by insufficient headband padding. The simplest solution is to adjust the sliders on the headband for a tighter fit. You can also try stretching the earpads over an object slightly narrower than your head, wrapping a tight elastic band or zip tie around the outside of each earcup, and letting them sit for a day or two. And, of course, you can always upgrade the headband padding with something softer and/or thicker.
Why You Need to Keep Your Headphones Clean
According to a study performed by SeniorLiving.org, a typical set of earbuds harbors bacteria levels up to 2,700 times greater than those found on an average cutting board and 330 times more than on a kitchen countertop. Given that earbuds are jammed into your ear canals, this makes sense, as the warm, enclosed environment is a veritable breeding ground for bacteria and other stomach-churning microbes. And, of course, you’re trapping all those microorganisms inside your ears!
It probably goes without saying that you shouldn’t share earbuds with other people. According to Dr. Abbas Anwar, MD, board-certified Otolaryngologist at Pacific Neuroscience Institute, this introduces new and more numerous bacteria into your ear. For all you know, the person who last used your earbuds took their smartphone into the bathroom with them, put their germy fingers all over its touchscreen, put the earbuds in their ears, then washed their hands — in that order!
Earwax can also be an issue. While both earbuds and over-ear/on-ear headphones can contribute to earwax buildup, according to Dr. Brian Taylor, AuD, an audiologist and Senior Director of Audiology at Signia, earbuds are more problematic in this area since they’re inserted directly into your ears, thereby pushing the wax deeper into your ear canals. For listeners experiencing frequent earwax blockages, Dr. Taylor recommends switching to over-ear and/or on-ear headphones.
This isn’t cause for over-ear and on-ear headphone wearers to feel smug, however. Those headphone styles aren’t exempt from microbes either, accumulating sweat, skin cells, and sebaceous bodily fluids over time. Regardless of which type of headphones you use, it’s essential to clean them regularly using suitable disinfectants — alcohol wipes work well in many cases — and to keep them dry and stored in a clean, protected place when not in use.
Hear Today, Gone Tomorrow? Not on Our Watch!
Enjoying your favorite music through headphones shouldn’t mean compromising your hearing health. By staying informed about safe listening habits, selecting headphones that suit your lifestyle, and practicing proper care, you can preserve your hearing and keep the music going strong for years to come. At Sweetwater, we believe your ears deserve the same level of care as your playlist. So, protect your hearing and let the soundtrack of your life play on loud and clear (but not too loud!).