Are Headphones Safer Than Earbuds?

Recently, earbuds and headphones have become very popular among people. Advances in technology have made them smaller, more comfortable, and easier to carry. These features make headphones and earbuds a great and convenient option for listening to music, making phone calls, and more while on the move. The rise in smartphones and other portable gadgets has also increased the need for these audio devices, as more people use them for music, podcasts, and various audio content. However, these devices can also pose a risk to our hearing health. According to the World Health Organization, about one billion young people are at risk of hearing loss from noise-related damage. Are headphones safer than Earbuds? If you’ve pondered which is healthier, experts strongly agree that headphones are clearly better and safer. In this blog post on Digimigia, we will explain about each one and what you need to know to maintain optimal hearing health if you frequently use earbuds or headphones.

Earbuds: Inside-the-ear Risks

Using earbuds for long periods or incorrectly can potentially harm your ear health significantly. Our aim is to draw attention to these risks and provide some useful advice to safeguard your hearing for the future.

• Hearing Loss: Using headphones or earbuds for listening loud music can damage the tiny hairs in your inner ear, while it is leading to hearing loss from excessive noise. Sounds over 85 decibels for long periods can cause this problem.
• Ear Infections: Earbuds can trap moisture and germs of your inner ears, while it is making them a breeding ground for infections, especially if shared or not cleaned regularly.
• Tinnitus: Prolonged exposure to loud sounds through earbuds can lead to a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears, that is known as tinnitus. This condition can be difficult to manage.
• Wax Accumulation: Wearing earbuds for extended periods can push earwax deeper into the ear canal, causing blockages, discomfort, and a higher risk of infections.

Over-ear Headphones: How They Compare?

Are headphones safer than Earbuds? Headphones that are used over your ears are praised for their comfort and top-notch audio performance compared to other headphone types. They fully surround your ears, leading to exceptional sound isolation and a more captivating heard environment. Despite being larger and heavier, they are usually comfier for prolonged use since the earcups evenly distribute pressure across your ears. However, Over-the-ear headphones are often seen as less harmful for hearing compared to earbuds because they don’t channel sound directly to the inner ear canal, thereby decreasing the danger of hearing damage due to high volume or extended periods of usage. Close proximity of earbuds to the eardrum can result in a greater perceived volume level and potentially more harm if they are played at the same decibel level as over-the-ear headphones.

Safe Listening Practices for Both Options

In order to prevent hearing damage, practice safe listening habits when using earbuds and headphones. Here are some safe listening practices for both options in the following part:

Applying the 60/60 Rule and Volume Limits (≤85 dB)

Modern smartphones usually offer a volume limit feature, which restricts the device’s output volume to a predetermined level. This can prevent you from unintentionally turning up the volume in loud surroundings. Additionally, it’s advised to follow the 60/60 rule. This guideline recommends maintaining the volume of your personal audio devices at about 60% of the highest level and limiting use to a maximum of one hour daily. Workplace noise, as set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), can peak at 85 decibels during an 8-hour workday. This benchmark serves as a helpful reference for safe listening while using headphones and earbuds.

Regular Breaks and Hygiene Tips to Reduce Infection Risk

Taking breaks from using earbuds regularly can help prevent your ears from feeling tired and uncomfortable. It’s also crucial to keep your ears clean. Make sure to clean your earbuds often to prevent a buildup of earwax and bacteria, and don’t share them with others to prevent spreading infections. Furthermore, letting your ears have a break from earbuds and using over-ear headphones every now and then can offer a different listening experience and lower the chance of ear canal irritation. Keeping your ears clean and free from extra wax also helps with your ear’s comfort and overall health.

Conclusion

Take good care of your hearing since you have only one pair of ears. Hearing issues can affect many areas of your health, including your mental well-being. Studies have shown links between hearing loss and conditions like dementia and depression. Whether you’re listening to an audiobook or music, it’s wise to use earbuds or headphones. As a result, in this blog on Digimigia, we answered the question ‘Are headphones safer than Earbuds?’ in order to help you to have the best choice between these two devices.