Are Airpods Bad For Your Ears?

Airpods have been the most-favored option for wireless headphones because of their compact size, seamless integration, and user-friendliness.

Nevertheless, several people have expressed their concerns on the potential health risks of extended use of Apple airpods.

In this article, we will delve into the research and explore the potential risks associated with prolonged use of AirPods, so that you can make an informed decision about using them.

Are Airpods Really Bad for the Ears?

It’s true that some individuals experience inconvenience and even hearing damage when they use airpods for longer duration, especially at high volume. Including that, the active noise cancellation feature is available in these earbuds so the external noise is completely blocked. So, obviously you will have to increase the volume to hear the audio or music. This in turn can lead to hair cell damage in the inner ear, resulting in either temporary or permanent hearing loss.

Actually, this is a potential concern with all types of in-ear headphones and earbuds, not exclusively AirPods. But you can avoid or decrease the ear damage by using headphones or earbuds at reasonable volume, take periodic breaks, and limit continuous use for prolonged time.

What Causes the Airpods to Hurt Your Ears?

There are several factors that can lead to discomfort and even pain when using AirPods or other in-ear headphones. We have mentioned them below for your reference.

• Poor Fitting – Improper fit is the most common cause of ear discomforts when using AirPods. If the earbuds are not properly placed in the ear canal, they may exert pressure or produce irritation. It is crucial to select ear tips that fit comfortably and snugly in your ears to achieve an optimal fit.
• Prolonged Use – If in-ear headphones are used for an extended period of time, it can cause discomfort and ear fatigue because of the continuous pressure in the ear canal. Taking breaks periodically can prevent this from happening.
• Ear Anatomy – Everyone has a different anatomy unique to us and some individuals have sensitive or irritation-prone ear canals. So, in such cases, discomfort is common even if the earbuds have the best fitting.
• Material – The ear tips in AirPods, which are often composed of materials like foam or silicone, can trigger sensitivity reactions in certain individuals. These reactions can lead to symptoms such as itching, redness, or swelling in the ear canal.
• Sound Pressure – In-ear headphones can generate sound pressure that induces discomfort or pain, particularly if the volume is excessively loud. This can cause hearing impairment over time, making it essential to maintain a safe volume level while using headphones.

In summary, the pain or discomfort developed while using Airpods can be caused due to different factors like extended use, material, poor fitting, sound pressure, ear anatomy, and extended use. So, we recommend using in-ear headphones responsibly to avoid potential damages and discomforts.

How to Prevent Airpods from Causing Damage or Hurting?

Though Airpods are intended to be lightweight and comfortable, they can still cause some pain or damage to the ear in some individuals. However, you can prevent or decrease this impact from happening. We have mentioned some tips below for your reference.

• Adjust the Fitting – It is important for the airpods to have a snug fit. So, if it doesn’t feel snugly, then you can try to adjust it to make it comfortable in your ear. You can also experiment with various ear tip sizes to discover the best fit for your ears.
• Take Periodic Breaks – In case of any discomfort or pain in your ears after prolonged usage of AirPods, it is advisable to take a break and allow your ears to rest.
• Use Ear Cushions – You can try using silicone ear cushions that are specially developed for airpods as they ensure additional ear cushioning, reducing the discomfort.
• Use Noise-Cancellation Features – If you observe that high volume levels of AirPods are resulting in ear pain, explore the noise-canceling features of AirPods to lower the volume.
• Check for Debris and Dirt – Periodic cleaning of AirPods is necessary to avoid any potential discomfort caused by dirt or debris getting trapped in the earbuds.
• Use Earplugs – When exposed to loud surroundings, try wearing earplugs to lower the volume level that your ears are exposed to.

The above-mentioned tips are quite helpful to prevent the airpods from causing any hurt or damage so you can enjoy taking phone calls, listening to music or podcasts.

How Loud is Considered Too Loud While Using Airpods?

Repeated and prolonged exposure to high sound levels, including those produced by headphones, can lead to permanent hearing damage.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), exposure to sounds exceeding 85 decibels (dB) for extended periods can cause damage to hair cells in the inner ear, leading to noise-induced hearing loss.

Sound levels as low as 74 dB can also cause harm if exposure is prolonged (source). Therefore, it is advisable to lower the volume when listening to audio through headphones and to take frequent breaks to allow the ears to rest.

Below is a table representing an average exposure limit when it comes to wearing in-ear headphones.

Conclusion

Airpods are not fundamentally bad for your ears but improper use can lead to potential damage. In order to avoid the risk to your ears or hearing, you have to take necessary precautions like taking regular breaks, keeping a check on volume levels, limiting the exposure, and cleaning them often. But if you are experiencing any pain or discomfort, then it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately.

Airpods Bad for Your Ears – FAQs