From music to podcasts, headphones are often an essential part of our on-the-go, day-to-day lives. But which type of headphones are best for your ears? At SoundGate Hearing, we want you to protect your hearing, including the headphones you choose to wear.
The Basics OfHeadphone Safety
- Keep your headphones at 60% (or below) their maximum level.
- If your smart device warns you that your volume is too loud, heed their warning! It’s for your protection.
- Take breaks from your headphones to give your ears a chance to reset, especially if you’re using them for longer thanan hour.
On-Ear Headphones Vs. Over Ear
So, when it comes to headphone safety, which style is best?
First of all, remember all headphone options require vigilance. When you’re listening to music alone, it can be hard to tell how loud is too loud. The last thing we want is damage to your ear canal, impacting your hearing health.
Now, let’s look at two popular examples: on-ear headphones vs. over ear headphones. One sits directlyonthe ear while the other encapsulates the ear. When we look at these two options, audiologists tend to agree thatover-ear headphones tend to work best.
In general, here are a few reasons why that’s the case:
- They provide more room for sounds to reverberate because you’re not funneling music directly towards your eardrums.
- Over-ear headphones tend to block outambient sound, so you don’t have to worry about increasing the volume.
- They tend to be more comfortable for the listener.
It’s also worth noting that quality comes into play here. A higher-quality option will yield better results than a mediocre one. If you plan to use your headphones frequently, invest in a pair that provides optimal sound quality.
Are Earbuds Bad For You?
We see this question quite a bit. While earbuds have exploded in popularity in recent years,you want to be careful.Because they blast sound right into your ear canal, the risk of damage increases.
Earbuds also tend to offer poor noise isolation. That means other environmental factors can creep into your listening, causing you to want to increase that volume.
They can also push earwax further into your ears, causing a build-up. This blockage can entice you to increase your volume, further exacerbating the problems.
Learn more about our earwax removal treatments.
What About Noise-Canceling Headphones?
For some, noise-canceling headphones can be optimal, especially if you’re listening in louder or more crowded spaces. Because they block out environmental sounds, it’s less likely you’ll crank up the volume.
Hearing Health Is Our Business
Remember, once you lose hearing, you cannot get it back. You can protect your hearing today by being mindful of how loud your headphone volume gets. Your future self will thank you.
At SoundGate Hearing, we care about your hearing health, including headphone safety. Do you need help or have a question? Take a look at ourdiagnostic hearing evaluation informationand contact us toschedule an appointment.Our team of audiologists is happy to help you with any concerns you may have.
Until next time, happy listening!
Dr. Sarah Binfet
