For screen reader problems with this website, please call555-555-55555 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5Standard carrier rates apply to texts.

Blog

Are Earbuds Bad For You?

by Product Specialist
Facebook
LinkedIn
Pinterest
X, formerly Twitter
From Our ExpertsearbudsheadphonesJBLBoseBeats by DreSonySkullcandyFiilaudiowireless headphonesnoise cancelling headphones

Can Noise Cancelling Headphones Help Prevent Hearing Damage?

Can Noise Cancelling Headphones Help Prevent Hearing Damage?

Headphone Use On The Rise

It’s a common sight to see young adults walking around town or through school hallways sporting the latest wireless earbuds or Bluetooth headphones. With an entire music library at their fingertips, it’s inevitable they’ll use earphones to bask in the beat of their favorite tunes, unwinding from the daily stress of the modern world. A recent study indicates that between 1990 and 2005, the number of individuals listening to music through earphones increased by 75%.1

 

Hearing Loss in Teens Nearly Doubles

Unfortunately, earbud use can be problematic. According to the World Health Organization, 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe use of personal audio devices which can lead to devastating consequences for physical and mental health.2 Once hearing is lost, it cannot be brought back again.

Data from a national survey has revealed that hearing loss in teenagers (ages 12-19) has risen from 3.5% to 5.3% between 1994 and 2006.3 This timeframe coincides with an uptick in people using portable music devices such as Walkman, MP3 players and now mobile phones.

 

Quick Facts

  • Headphone use has increased 75% since 1990
  • Hearing loss in teenagers has nearly doubled
  • Nearly 1/2 of young adults are exposed to unsafe sound levels
  • Noise over 80dB can cause permanent hearing loss
  • Average MP3 player volume can exceed 100dB

 

How Loud is Too Loud?

It’s known that exposure to sound greater than 85 decibels is unsafe and cause permanent hearing loss. The average gas-powered lawn mower is 80dB, just below the threshold while a rock concert or stadium crowd can reach up to a damaging 129dB.

 

On-Ear Headphones vs Earbuds

Although both earphones are near the ear, it seems earbuds are noticeably worse for potential hearing loss. According to Physicians Hearing Solutions, since earbuds sit directly inside the ear and are near the ear canal, the volume of sound is increased by 9 decibels in comparison with on-ear or over-ear headphones.4 Those extra decibels can be the difference between lifelong normal hearing and the increased deafness of today’s youth.

 

Solutions

Turn It Down

The best solution is to simply turn down the volume. A common recommended practice in the medical field is the 60/60 rule. This means leave your device volume at no more than 60% loud and take a break after 60 minutes of listening. Giving your ears a break can help reduce noise exposure and limit the possibility of permanent hearing loss.

Noise Cancelling Headphones

Bluetooth headphones are not only convenient, they can be safer too. Because they draw power from an internal battery for volume, they tend to not get quite as loud compared with traditional headphones.5 Although this can vary from brand to brand, wireless headphones are popular with today’s youth and is a better choice over cheap earbuds.

Wireless Headphones

The most common reason people turn up the volume on their music is to drown out unwanted noise from their environment. This can especially be true in big cities with public transit or traffic noise to contend with. While some earphones use passive noise cancellation technology (earpads that seal unwanted sound out), the best choice is active noise cancelling headphones.

This type of earphone has mics positioned outside the ear cup that detect the noise environment and send soundwaves into the earphones that cancel these unwanted frequencies. Not only does this overcome the need to increase the volume on a mobile device, but it may encourage users to turn the volume down. Active noise cancelling headphones are sold in both earbuds and traditional on-ear varieties.

 

Conclusion

Hearing loss is permanent and preventable. Many young adults don’t yet understand the risks of listening to their mobile devices at loud volumes and it’s up to parents to help educate and prevent damaging volumes to the best of their ability. Lowering the volume is the key to preventing hearing loss in every individual, including today's youth.

Best Solution: Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

Many reputable organizations such as the World Health Organization6 and Consumer Reports7 agree the very best way to protect your hearing is with noise cancelling headphones. By reducing environmental and background noise, users will reduce the volume on their mobile device as a natural response. Wireless noise cancelling headphones are the very best option as they operate on their own battery and generally don't get as loud as wired headphones while still providing the benefits of noise cancelling models.

 

References