Why Do Headphones Hurt My Ears? Tips to Prevent Ear Pain While Using Headphones
If you love to listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks for hours, you might have experienced ear pain or discomfort caused by headphones. Many people complain about this issue, and it can be frustrating and annoying, especially when you want to enjoy your favorite tunes without any distractions. In this post, I’ll explain why headphones hurt your ears and provide some tips to prevent ear pain while using headphones.
Why Do Headphones Hurt My Ears?
There are several reasons why headphones can cause ear pain or discomfort, including:
Poor fitting: If your headphones are too tight or too loose, they can cause discomfort and pain. Over-ear headphones with tight headbands can put pressure on your temples and cause headaches, while in-ear headphones that don’t fit snugly can cause ear pain and fall out easily.
High volume: Listening to music at high volumes for an extended period can damage your eardrums and cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. Loud music can also cause ear pain, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears.
Low-quality headphones: Cheap or low-quality headphones can cause ear pain or discomfort due to their poor sound quality. They might produce distorted or muffled sounds, which can be irritating and uncomfortable for your ears.
How to Stop Headphones from Hurting Ears
Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent ear pain while using headphones:
Choose the right headphones: Select headphones that fit comfortably and don’t put pressure on your ears or temples. Over-ear headphones with soft padding or in-ear headphones with different ear tips sizes can provide a snug and comfortable fit.
Adjust the volume: Listen to music at a reasonable volume level, not too loud or too low. Experts recommend using the 60/60 rule: listen at 60% of the maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes per day.
Take breaks: Give your ears a break every 30 minutes, especially if you’re listening to music at high volumes. Taking breaks can help prevent ear fatigue and reduce the risk of hearing loss.
Use noise-canceling headphones: Noise-canceling headphones can reduce background noise and help you listen to music at lower volumes. They can also help prevent ear pain caused by high-frequency sounds like airplane engines or traffic noise.
Clean your headphones regularly: Clean your headphones regularly to remove dirt, wax, or bacteria that can cause ear infections or irritation. You can use a soft cloth or a disinfectant wipe to clean your headphones gently.
All in All
Ear pain or discomfort caused by headphones is a common problem that affects many people. However, you can prevent this issue by choosing the right headphones, adjusting the volume, taking breaks, using noise-canceling headphones, and cleaning your headphones regularly. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy your favorite music without any ear pain or discomfort. Happy listening!
Thanks for reading!
Tom
I’m Tom S. Ray and I’m head mastering engineer at Audio Unity Group. I also hold a bachelor with honours degree in music from Kingston University in London, I lecture mastering to students in Edinburgh College and to my online students via my Mastering Mastery audio mastering online course.
