Headphones: How to Use Them & Protect Your Hearing

Wireless headphones and earbuds have become a part of everyday life: commuting, gym workouts, video calls, even sleep aids. But while they’ve made listening more personal and portable, that convenience comes with a risk. Audiologists are reporting a rise in noise-induced hearing loss linked to unsafe listening practices, particularly among younger people. So how much sound can your ears really handle? Is noise-induced hearing damage ever reversible? And what habits will protect your hearing so you don’t have to stop using your headphones? In this episode, we break down the dangers and share expert advice on listening safely.

Expert: Dr. Kelsey Roy, Audiologist

Notable topics covered:

• A primer on the different types of personal listening devices
• Statistics on noise-induced hearing loss in the wireless headphone era
• Are earbuds more dangerous because they go directly in the ear canal?
• How loud, how long: The lowdown on boundaries for listening to headphones safely
• Podcasts and audio books can’t cause as much damage as music, can they?
• Why noise-cancelling headphones are a good way to go
• Is falling asleep listening to earbuds dangerous?
• The cumulative effect of decades of listening to headphones
• The early warning signs your headphones are hurting your hearing
• Does headphone overuse exhaust and put pressure on the brain?

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