Why I stopped wearing earphones after hearing loss

As Joni Mitchell once sang: “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone,” and this is especially true for our health. In early 2025, I learned this lesson in a frightening way when what started as a bad, weeks-long cold turned into the following symptoms in my left ear: Hearing lossFeeling full, sometimes Tinnitus (Ringing in the ears) and a day or two of balance problems, as the inner ear helps balance the body.

What turned out to be Eustachian tube dysfunction — when the tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose no longer worked properly — left me frantically searching for ways to keep my ears healthy. As a health writer with over 10 years of experience and a strong understanding of the importance of taking precautionary health measures, I wanted to do everything I could to prevent hearing loss from happening again.

While searching for answers, I found a common technique that may be contributing to my hearing problems: Earphones. I spoke to ear health experts, who said that earbuds that are inserted directly into your ear can cause hearing loss and other problems. Here’s what experts say about earbuds and ear health.

Ear health risks that come with earbuds

Earphones can pose some risks, according to Dr. Ruth Reismana licensed audiologist and hearing aid distributor in New York. They can trap heat and moisture in the ear, increasing the risk of ear infections. With frequent use, earbuds can also push earwax deeper into the ear, causing buildup or impaction. Additionally, if your earbuds do not fit properly or you wear them for long periods, they may cause irritation or pain in the ear canal.

“Earphones are placed directly in the ear canal, which may increase the risk. The biggest concern is noise-induced hearing loss if the volume level is too high or the listening time is too long,” Reisman said. “I have seen all of these issues in my 15 years as an audiologist.”

When you listen to content at loud volume, especially for a long period of time, And trustaudiologist in Listen to the United States of AmericaIt can permanently damage the sensitive hair cells in your inner ear, he explains. Using earphones with loud volume can lead to:

• Noise-induced hearing loss
• Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears)
• Sound sensitivity over time

Misuse of earphones is also common. If they don’t have it Noise cancellationyou may turn up the volume frequently to avoid hearing background noise, which can quickly put you in an unsafe listening range. However, even listening at a moderate volume can become a problem if you do it for hours every day.

“Early signs of overexposure include temporary muffled hearing or ringing after hearing sessions, both of which are warning signals from the auditory system,” Trost said. Even if you periodically experience temporary ringing in your ears, this may eventually increase your risk of developing chronic tinnitus.

Radiation risk and earphones

While searching for ear health tips, I came across many articles discussing whether or not these tips were helpful Wireless Bluetooth headphones It can cause damage through radiation. I asked Reisman if this was true.

“Current scientific evidence does not show that energy emitted by Bluetooth earbuds causes harm,” she said. “These devices emit much less radiation than cell phones and remain well below established safety limits. From an audiological standpoint, exposure to sound is a much greater risk than radiation.”

The rule you want to follow if you are using earbuds

Both Reisman and Troast recommend the “60/60 rule” for people who wear headphones. The 60/60 rule means that you listen to no more than 60% of maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.

“Daily use is fine if the size remains secure and the ears are given time to rest,” Reisman advises. “I usually ask patients to take a 15 to 20 minute break for every hour of use.”

If you haven’t already, Troast recommends checking if your devices have built-in hearing health settings that automatically monitor sound level exposure. For example, on your iPhone, Apple Watch, or iPad, you can Set up headphone notifications To alert you to lower the volume when you reach a seven-day sound exposure limit (such as 80 dB for 40 hours over seven days). Or you can activate the Loudness Reduction feature to automatically lower the headphone volume once it exceeds the decibel level you set.

Types of headphones that are safest for your ear health

Over-ear headphones They are generally safer, according to Reisman, because they are placed outside the ear canal and do not focus sound directly onto the eardrum. Since they’re not in the ear canal like earphones, they’re also less likely to cause ear irritation or earwax buildup.

“Over-the-ear headphones can be safer if they allow for lower listening volume,” Trost said. “Even better Noise canceling headphoneswhich reduces background noise, so listeners don’t feel the need to turn up the volume. Just make sure you stay aware of your surroundings, especially if you’re out near traffic.

Open the earphones It can also be a safer option. They use bone conduction technology, which transmits sound through the ear bones and skull rather than directly to the eardrum. “Many headphone companies claim that open-ear headphones are better for hearing health and cleaner,” said David Carnoy, CNET’s resident headphone expert.

Since open ear headphones don’t sit inside or cover the ear:

• Warmth and moisture, such as sweat, will not accumulate, which can cause ear infections.
• Debris, such as dust, will not move from the earbuds to the ear.
• You won’t push the earwax deeper into your ear, which can lead to impaction.
• Do not rub or put pressure on the ear canal, which reduces discomfort or irritation.

However, if you’re listening to content at high volumes, no headphone style is completely safe. What matters most to your ear health and hearing is full exposure to sound over time, so be sure to monitor your volume and give your ears rest.

Expert advice if you use earbuds

if Earphones Your go-to type of headphones for listening to your favorite music, shows, and podcasts, Troast offers the following tips from an audiology perspective:

• Use the built-in volume limit settings on smartphones.
• He chooses Noise canceling earphones Or headphones to avoid increasing the volume in noisy environments.
• Take regular breaks to listen.
• Avoid sleeping with headphones on.
• Get a baseline Hearing testEspecially if you use earbuds daily.

If you already suffer from tinnitus, it’s especially important that you manage your volume to prevent it from getting worse.

Carnoy adds that there have also been cases of people experiencing allergies to the materials used in the tips of the earbuds. If you have a known allergy, make sure your earbuds do not use this material, or replace the tips. If you have an allergic reaction, stop using the earbud tips until you can find a replacement.

Finally, Reisman advises keeping your earbuds clean, avoiding sharing them and making sure they fit properly. Most earbuds come with different sized tips, so you can find the right fit for your ear size.

When to see an audiologist or doctor

If you experience ringing in the ears, hearing loss, ear pain, or recurring infections, Reisman recommends an evaluation with an audiologist.

You’ll also need to pay attention to early warning signs of inner ear damage from noise exposure, such as ringing in the ears, difficulty hearing, or the need to turn up the volume over time.

If you already have hearing loss, Trost said treating it with… Hearing aids It can provide relief. On the other hand, tinnitus can be treated with evidence-based methods such as sound treatment or specific counseling strategies.

“Hearing damage is gradual and cumulative, but it is also largely preventable through smart, healthy listening habits,” Reisman said. This includes using headphones — or, in my case, earbuds — responsibly.