If you\u2019re trying to wind down before bed by listening to music or drown out the sounds of the bustling city, you may be tempted to sleep with headphones or earbuds. But is doing so safe? We review what one study shows and how to listen safely below.<\/p>\n
One 2017 Swedish study<\/a> aimed to investigate self-reported hearing and portable music listening habits in Swedish adolescents.<\/p>\n After conducting their study, the researchers found that, \u201cAlthough the vast majority listened at moderate sound levels and for shorter periods of time, the study also indicates that there is a subgroup (10%) that listens between 90 and 100 dB for longer periods of time, even during sleep. This group might be at risk for developing future noise-induced hearing impairments<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n This demonstrates that certain behaviors while listening to music, including prolonged or loud listening, are unsafe.<\/p>\n Below are some tips for listening safely during sleep:<\/p>\n If you sleep by yourself or with a partner who is on the same page as you, we recommend listening with an external speaker instead of headphones or earbuds so that there is less threat to your ears and overall safety.<\/p>\n Never listen to music with noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds while sleeping. This is not a safe option if there\u2019s an emergency. You should easily be able to hear a fire alarm, your phone ringing or your child crying through your headphones or earbuds.<\/p>\n Avoid listening through headphones or earbuds with cords. They can accidentally adjust the volume and turn it up much louder than is safe, as well as wrap around your neck and pose a hazard to your safety.<\/p>\n Whether you have an external speaker or non-noise-cancelling cordless headphones or earbuds and choose to listen during sleep, it\u2019s essential to keep the volume below half the maximum, so you won\u2019t cause damage to the tiny hair cells in your inner ear that help you hear.<\/p>\n To learn more or to schedule an appointment<\/a>, call Wilmington Audiology Services<\/span> today.<\/p>\nHow to Listen Safely<\/h2>\n
Opt for an External Speaker<\/h3>\n
Avoid Noise-Cancelling Features<\/h3>\n
Don\u2019t Use Cords<\/h3>\n
Keep the Volume Low<\/h3>\n