Do earbuds, which may sit closer to the inner ear than other headphone styles, harm your hearing more?. Photograph: iStockQ: I wear earbuds to sleep, during Zoom calls and while working out. Are they damaging my hearing? And if so, how does the damage compare with other headphone styles?Whether you’re taking phone calls, participating in Zoom meetings, listening to music or watching TikToks – headphones are likely a daily part of your life.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that, on average, the volume levels of personal listening devices max out at between 105 and 110 decibels. At 80 per cent of the highest volume, which is about 85 decibels, the noise would be on par with that of a gas-powered lawnmower or the sound of city traffic from inside a car. The CDC notes that to prevent noise-induced hearing loss, you should avoid prolonged exposures to ambient sounds above 70 decibels .
To combat background noise without amping up sound levels, Portnuff and Dr Fink recommend choosing headphones that block out background noise. Earbuds that fit snugly and snuff out external sounds, over-ear headphones that seal around your ear, and any listening device with noise-cancelling technology are all good options.