Today it is difficult to imagine life without them. They accompany us on the way to workwhile walking and when we want to isolate ourselves from the ambient noise in a noisy place. But how do they actually affect the health of our ears and which ones do us the least harm?
In-ear headphones – comfortable, but are they safe?
Small, handy, easy to put in your pocket. No wonder that in-ear headphones are the choice of many of us. Unfortunately, they are very close to the eardrum, which is a potential threat. Directly introducing sound into the ear canal increases the risk of hearing damageespecially at high volume levels. Additionally, if you use them often, you may have a problem with excess earwax accumulating. This is a direct route to an ear infection.
In-ear headphones – they quiet the surroundings better, but they also have their disadvantages
Headphones Intrathecal ones are best if we need good isolation from the outside world. But is this really good news for our ears? Their deep placement in the ear canal can lead to high sound pressure close to the eardrum. The result is an even greater risk of hearing damage with frequent and long-term use. If these are your favorite type of headphones, look for ones that will block out ambient noise really well, so you won't have to turn them up very loud.
On-ear headphones – the golden mean?
What about on-ear headphones? They spread the sound over a larger surface, so they do not attack one point in the ear. Additionally, they allow the ears to “breathe”, which reduces the risk of infection. Open models are especially ear-friendly. They provide the most natural listening experience because they do not completely cut off the surroundings, making the sound seem more spacious.
If you are buying headphones, pay attention to one feature
Modern headphones are often equipped with: active noise cancellation technology (ANC).This feature allows you to enjoy music at a lower volume. It is worth considering such headphones, especially if you are often in noisy environments.
Regardless of which headphones you choose, it is important how you use them. To prevent hearing loss, remember the 60/60 rule – no more than 60% of maximum volume for one hour per day. Breaks and hygiene of headphones, especially in-ear and in-ear headphones, are also important. Do you have a feeling of ringing in your ears or muffled sounds? In this case, they should be removed immediately.