Protect Your Hearing: Safe Listening with Earbuds

October 24, 2024

A smiling woman wearing earbuds while enjoying listening to music

Listening to loud music with earbuds can affect your hearing over time. At least 6 percent and up to 24 percent of adults have noise-induced hearing loss in one or both ears, according to federal surveys. Some 17 percent of teens have signs of hearing loss from high noise levels, with higher rates among females.

Hearing loss often occurs gradually, so many people don’t realize they have a problem until the damage is done. Here’s how to protect yourself.

Hearing Loss

Noise-induced hearing loss is the only type of hearing loss that’s preventable, says University Hospitals audiologist Robin Piper, AUD, CCC-A, academic supervisor of audiology services. While not all noise-related hearing loss is caused by earbuds and headphones, they’re an important cause.

“Noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by a single loud sound (acoustic trauma) or repeated exposure to loud sounds over a period of time. The louder the sound, the shorter the period of time needed to damage your hearing,” says Piper.

Noises above 85 decibels are considered high enough to damage hearing over time. That’s about the volume of a gas-powered lawn mower. Volume levels of smartphones and laptops can go as high as 105 or 110 decibels.

The risk of damaging your hearing is the same, whether you use earbuds or headphones. It’s the volume and length of listening time that matter.

Sounds of 85 decibels can lead to hearing loss if listened to for longer than 8 hours a day.
The safe listening time is cut in half for every 3-decibel rise in noise level above 85 decibels. For example, listening to music at 88 decibels is harmful after four hours.

“A good rule of thumb is that others should not be able to hear what you are listening to,” Piper says.

Dangers of Hearing Loss

Early signs of hearing loss include muffled or distorted sounds. You may have difficulty hearing conversation or you might have ringing in your ears (called tinnitus). Hearing loss can lead to a variety of problems:

In children, hearing loss can affect speech and language development as well as social skills.
In adults, hearing loss can raise risks of depression, anxiety and social isolation.
In older adults, hearing loss also raises risk of dementia, cognitive decline, balance problems and falls.

How to Prevent Hearing Loss

Turn down the volume of your personal devices and teach kids to do the same. Children’s ears are developing and need extra protection.
Set the volume at 50% to 60% of the maximum, which is considered a safe level to listen to music all day (Note: If people near you can hear music from your earbuds, the volume is too high).
iPhone users can navigate to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Headphone Safety. Turn on ‘Reduce Loud Sounds’ and set maximum volume to 70-85 decibels.
Use noise-cancelling technology.
If you’re using earbuds or headphones in a noisy area, resist the temptation to crank up the volume to compensate.
Use earbuds and headphones that fit snugly to reduce outside noise.

Other Safety Tips

Clean your earbuds regularly to prevent bacteria from getting into your ear canal. Bacteria can cause irritation and swimmer’s ear, a painful and itchy condition. Earbuds worn for extended periods can also trap moisture in the ear and increase the risk of infection.

If using earbuds in public places, be aware of your surroundings to prevent accidents.