In early 2025, I experienced hearing loss for the first time due to a condition called eustachian tube dysfunction, which occurs when the tube connecting the middle ear to the back of the nose stops functioning properly. Although I eventually recovered, the experience left me anxious about the possibility of it happening again. As a wellness writer with over a decade of experience, I know the importance of being proactive about health. Determined to prevent further hearing issues, I dove into researching how to protect my ear health and discovered that one common technology—earbuds—might have been contributing to the problem.
To better understand the risks associated with earbuds, I consulted ear health experts. Their insights revealed several ways earbuds can potentially harm our ears. Dr. Ruth Reisman, a licensed audiologist and New York hearing aid dispenser, explained that earbuds can trap heat and moisture in the ear canal, increasing the risk of infections. Moreover, frequent use of earbuds can push earwax deeper into the ear, causing buildup or impaction. Ill-fitting earbuds or prolonged wear can also irritate the ear canal, leading to soreness.
Dr. Reisman emphasized the greatest risk earbuds pose: noise-induced hearing loss. Because earbuds sit directly inside the ear canal, they can expose the delicate structures of the inner ear to dangerously high sound levels, especially if the volume is turned up too high or if they are used continuously for long periods. She has observed all these issues in her 15 years of practice.
Dan Troast, an audiologist at HearUSA, further explained how listening at high volumes with earbuds can cause permanent damage. The delicate hair cells in the inner ear, responsible for translating sound into signals the brain can interpret, can be destroyed by excessive noise exposure. This damage is irreversible and accumulates over time. A common mistake people make is turning up the volume to drown out background noise, especially when earbuds lack noise-canceling features. This habit quickly pushes listening into an unsafe range. Even listening at moderate volumes for many hours daily can be harmful.
Troast pointed out early warning signs of hearing overexposure, such as temporary muffled hearing or ringing (tinnitus) after listening sessions. These symptoms are the auditory system’s way of signaling damage. Experiencing temporary ringing should never be ignored because it raises the risk of developing chronic tinnitus, a persistent and often debilitating condition.
During my research, I also encountered concerns about whether wireless Bluetooth earbuds emit harmful radiation. Dr. Reisman reassured me that current scientific evidence does not support this worry. Bluetooth earbuds emit significantly less radiation than cell phones and stay well below established safety limits. From an audiology perspective, the greater threat to hearing is sound exposure, not radiation.
Both Dr. Reisman and Troast recommend following the “60/60 rule” when using earbuds. This guideline advises listening at no more than 60% of the device’s maximum volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a time. Reisman adds that daily use is acceptable if the volume stays within safe limits and the ears are given adequate rest. She suggests taking a 15- to 20-minute break for every hour of listening.
Troast encourages people to explore hearing health features built into many modern devices. For example, Apple products like iPhones, Apple Watches, and iPads offer headphone notifications that alert users when they’ve reached a seven-day audio exposure limit—such as 80 decibels for 40 hours over a week. There is also a “Reduce Loud Audio” feature that automatically lowers headphone volume once it surpasses a set decibel threshold. These tools can help users manage their listening habits more safely.
Compared to earbuds, over-the-ear headphones are generally safer because they rest outside the ear canal and do not direct sound as intensely toward the eardrum. They also reduce the likelihood of irritation and earwax buildup. Troast notes that noise-canceling over-the-ear headphones are especially beneficial because they minimize background noise, reducing the urge to increase volume. However, users should remain aware of their environment, particularly outdoors near traffic, to stay safe.
Another option gaining popularity is open earbuds that use bone-conduction technology. Unlike traditional earbuds, these do not rest inside the ear canal but transmit sound through the bones of the skull and earbones. According to David Carnoy, CNET’s headphone expert, open earbuds are believed to be better for hearing health and more hygienic. Because they don’t block or sit inside the ear,