Purchasing a personal audio device can be quite a chore. When you walk into your local stores, you will likely find so many varieties – from headphones that go over your head to earbuds that fit snugly into your ear canal. A lot of factors can influence your purchase, such as price and personal preference. However, there are more important factors to consider, like which type of headphones are good for ears, and whether a style of headphones puts your hearing at risk.
The majority of headphone users spend a lot of time wearing their headphones these days. Exposing your ears to loud noise for extended periods has adverse effects.
Listening to music at high volumes kills off the small hair cells in your ear responsible for transmitting signals to your brain. This causes a severe hearing problem if enough of these cells are killed off.
In this article, we’ll what type of headphones are good for your ears, how to choose the best headphones, and tips for wearing them.
What Type of Headphones is Best for You?
According to experts, more people are using headphones and other personal listening devices in noisy environments, like airplanes and trains. The external noise can cause you to turn the volume of whatever you’re listening to way above safe levels.
The leading cause of hearing loss is overexposure to sound, mostly music played over personal audio devices. To protect yourself from hearing loss, you need to do more than turn the volume of your headphones down or limit how much time you use them. Making sure the type of headphones or earbuds you purchase is good for your ears is also essential.
Noise-Canceling Headphones Protect Your Hearing
Noise-canceling headphones are considered the safest to use in loud areas. When you are in a quiet setting, the type of headphones or earbuds that you use might not matter so much.
However, you need to reduce the amount of outside noise that manages to sneak in when listening to music. This external noise is what prompts you to turn up the volume on your headphones. With noise-canceling headphones, you can minimize the chances of hearing loss because the volume doesn’t need to be set high to drown out noises. You can listen to your music at moderate levels without having to blast it.
Headphones that are actively noise-canceling use battery-powered technology to cancel outside noise through opposing soundwaves. Some headphones and earbuds are designed to block out sound passively like an earplug.
It is difficult to say that one type of personal audio device is better or more protective than the other. But it is important to note that you should always go for the option that lets you play music at lower volumes.
How to Choose the Best Headphones
When choosing headphones, there are a few factors which should be considered, such as:
How long are they going to be in use?
Do you need headphones to block out the noise on a crowded train? Or are you going to go jogging with them? The function should determine the type of headphones you purchase. You’ll need to choose different headphones for how long you expect to use them at any given time. Over-ear headphones can be comfortable for short periods but get heavy for extended use. Similarly, in-ear headphones can irritate the inside of the ear when worn for a long time.
What are your preferred headphones?
Two types of earphones rest on your ear and the ones that go over and cover your entire ear. In-ear headphones are fantastic for cardio workouts such as jumping jacks at the gym. However, they may not have the best noise cancellation technology, and the audio might be lower quality.
Is it Wired or Wireless?
Wired headphones have the strongest, most consistent signal. However, they have the downside of always being attached to your device. The wire can snag on things or otherwise get in your way. There are few things more annoying than when your headphones wire catches on a handle and pulls them off your head.
With wireless headphones, you have freedom of movement, although you might experience a bit of trouble with the signal if you stray too far. It might be difficult to connect in the first place. You’ll also need to worry about keeping your headphones charged.
Purchase from a trusted dealer
To get the best out of your headphones, ensure that you patronize an authorized dealer. When you buy from trusted brands, you should contact the manufacturer’s service warranty and support for the most enjoyable experience.
Tips for using headphones
No matter the type of headphones you own, you can take specific steps to lower your chances of hearing loss.
Here are a few tips that can help you out.
Use noise-canceling headphones in loud environments
Be mindful of how loud you turn up your volume when you’re in noisy situations. Using a noise-canceling type of headphones are incredibly good for your ears and is highly recommended if you spend time in crowded and noisy areas. They will lower the overall amount of sound that you’re exposed to so that you don’t need to overcompensate by raising your audio volume.
When using noise-canceling headphones in loud areas, be mindful of your personal safety. Using them in planes is safe, since you aren’t active or exposed to anything. However, using them while walking down crowded streets can stop you from hearing cars or other people.
Take note of how long you use your headphones
It can be easy to get carried away and spend a lot of time listening to music via headphones. It would be best to be careful about how long and how loud you play your music. Generally, pay attention to how your ears feel. After extended use, your ears or head can be sore. If this is the case, take breaks from listening to your music.
Some newer headphone models have features that help you track how long you’ve been listening and even adjust the volume when necessary. Extended listening at loud volume is the recipe for disaster that leads to hearing loss.
Make use of both earphones
Our ears work as a pair to help us hear music much louder. If you have just one side plugged in, you can easily turn the volume up way too loud. It is recommended to use both ears for balance.
Final Thoughts on Selecting the Perfect Headphones
With this information, it will be a lot easier for you to go out and make the right purchase. Remember that your hearing is essential, so you should prioritize it and always get the best available options.
