After experiencing temporary hearing loss in my left ear, I became committed to protecting my hearing. Even though losing my hearing for a few weeks was caused by eustachian tube dysfunction — when the tube connecting the middle ear to the back of the nose no longer functions properly — I began to wonder about what else can
While researching ear health tips, I discovered that a common piece of technology, my
, could have contributed to my hearing issues. To find out more, I spoke to audiologists, health care providers who diagnose and treat hearing, balance and ear disorders. This is what they taught me.
Hearing and ear health risks associated with earbuds
, a licensed audiologist and New York hearing aid dispenser. They can trap heat and moisture in the ear, increasing the risk of ear infections. With repeated use, earbuds can also push earwax deeper into the ear, leading to buildup or impaction. Plus, if your earbuds don’t fit correctly or you wear them for long periods, they can cause irritation or soreness in your ear canal.
“Earbuds sit directly in the ear canal, which can increase several risks. The biggest concern is noise-induced hearing loss if volume is too high or listening time is too long,” said Reisman. “I have witnessed all of these problems in the course of my 15 years as an audiologist.”
When you listen to content at high volume, particularly for an extended period,
, explains that it can permanently damage the delicate hair cells in your inner ear. Earbud use combined with high volume can cause:
Misusing earbuds is also common. If they don’t have
, you might repeatedly turn up the volume to avoid hearing background noise, which can put you in an unsafe listening range fast. However, even listening at a moderate volume can become a problem if you do so for hours each day.
“Early signs of overexposure include temporary muffled hearing or ringing after listening sessions — both are warning signals from the auditory system,” Troast said. Even if you periodically experience temporary ringing in your ears, it can ultimately increase your risk of developing chronic tinnitus.
In my search for ear health tips, I came across several articles discussing whether
can cause harm through radiation. I asked Reisman if this is true.
“Current scientific evidence doesn’t show that the energy from Bluetooth earbuds causes harm,” she said. “These devices emit far less radiation than cell phones and remain well below established safety limits. From an audiology standpoint, sound exposure is a far greater risk than radiation.”
Both Reisman and Troast recommend the “60/60 rule” to people who wear earbuds. The 60/60 rule means you listen at no more than 60% of the maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.
“Daily use is fine if the volume stays safe and ears are given time to rest,” Reisman advises. “I usually tell patients to take a 15- to 20-minute break for every hour of use.”
If you haven’t already, Troast recommends checking whether your devices have built-in hearing health settings that automatically monitor volume exposure. For instance, on your iPhone, Apple Watch or iPad, you can set up headphone notifications to alert you to lower the volume when you’ve reached the seven-day audio exposure limit (such as 80 decibels for 40 hours over seven days). Or you can activate the Reduce Loud Audio feature to automatically lower your headphone volume once it exceeds your set decibel level.
are generally safer, according to Reisman, because they sit outside the ear canal and don’t concentrate sound as directly on the eardrum. Since they aren’t in the ear canal like earbuds, they’re also less likely to cause irritation or earwax buildup.
“Over-the-ear headphones can be safer — if they allow for lower listening volumes,” said Troast. “Even better are
, which reduce background noise, so listeners don’t feel the need to crank up the volume.” Just make sure you’re still aware of your surroundings, especially if you’re outdoors near traffic.
could also be a safer option. They use bone-conduction technology, which transmits sound through the ear bones and skull rather than directly to the eardrum. “Several headphone companies claim open earbuds are better for your hearing health and are more hygienic,” said David Carnoy, CNET headphone expert.
Since open earbuds don’t sit inside or cover the ear:
Warmth and moisture, like sweat, won’t build up, which can cause ear infections.
Debris, such as dust, won’t transfer from the earbuds into the ear.
They won’t push earwax deeper in your ear, which can lead to impaction.
Don’t rub or press on the ear canal, reducing discomfort or irritation.
However, if you listen to content at high volumes, no headphone style is completely safe. What matters most for your ear and hearing health is total sound exposure over time, so make sure you’re monitoring your volume level and giving your ears breaks.
If you continue to wear earbuds, make sure you’re doin