Do Earbuds Cause Hearing Loss?

Earbuds, AirPods, and over-the-ear headphones have become a part of daily life for many. The widespread use of these devices has led researchers to ask: can earbuds cause hearing loss? 

According to audiologists and health organizations, these devices do have the potential to cause hearing loss. However, the risk depends on how loudly and how long you listen to your devices.

“We often think of hearing being damaged only from loud noises, but the real threat is from our enjoyable, recreational activities that allow us to expose our ears to louder sounds for longer periods of time,” said Dr. Rebecca Blaha, lead audiologist for the Pennsylvania Ear Institute (PEI) of Drexel University in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. “Good hearing practices need to be encouraged each day to prevent long term damage.” 

Earbuds themselves are not inherently damaging, but the design places the sound source close to the eardrum. This can increase the risk of damage depending on the loudness and duration of use and then lead to what is known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), which occurs when intense sound energy permanently damages the delicate hair cells located in the cochlea of the inner ear.

These cells are responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals that the brain interprets as speech, music, or other sounds. Unlike hair or skin cells, these inner ear hair cells do not regenerate; once damaged or destroyed, hearing loss is permanent. Prolonged and continuous usage of earbuds at high volumes can accelerate this irreversible damage.

According to the World Health Organization, noise-induced hearing damage can occur when our ears are exposed to sounds 85 decibels or higher, such as noise from a vacuum cleaner, garbage disposal, or a hair dryer. Many electronic devices easily reach 110 decibels or more, which can cause damage over a shorter time period. However, devices such as iPhones, Androids, and tablets have an automatic alert when the sound level is too high, making it easier to be aware of reaching high levels.

Tips for Safe Listening

Protecting your hearing while using earbuds is simple and comes down to changing a few habits to benefit your ear health.

1. Follow the 60/60 rule: Listen at no more than 60% of the device's maximum volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a time. Take a listening break afterward.
2. Keep the volume low: Keep the volume below 80 decibels. If people near you can hear the music coming from your earbuds, it may be too loud.
3. Use noise-cancelling features: In noisy environments (like public transit), use earbuds or headphones with noise-cancellation to block out background sound. This reduces the need to increase the device volume to compensate.
4. Check device settings: Use the volume limits and monitoring features available on most smartphones and tablets to keep your sound exposure in a safe range. 

By managing both the volume and the duration of your listening, and by being cautious of prolonged usage, you can continue to enjoy your favorite audio content without putting your hearing health at risk.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Ear Institute’s (PEI) services or to make an appointment, call 215.780.3180.