Can tinnitus sufferers wear headphones?

Wearing headphones while suffering from tinnitus can be extremely aggravating. However, if the proper precautions are taken, this does not have to be the case.

If you have tinnitus, you can wear headphones as long as you keep the volume low. Wearing noise-canceling headphones or high-quality headphones can help you divert your attention away from the ringing.

Tinnitus can be bothersome in everyday life, leading people to wonder if they can mask it by wearing headphones. This article will provide a better understanding of how headphones can aggravate tinnitus and how to use headphones safely if you have tinnitus.

Why Wearing Headphones Is Safe If You Have Tinnitus

Patients should avoid listening to loud music through earbuds or headphones, according to the American Tinnitus Association. Wearing headphones can be acceptable when listening to music at a safe volume.

You shouldn't need to turn the volume up very high if your headphones don't allow sound to leak out. That means wearing them is unlikely to aggravate your tinnitus.

You can make it even safer if you remember two key points:

Check that your headphones fit properly. Instead of earbuds, try over-the-ear or in-ear headphones. A good fit can help prevent sound from leaking from your headphones and increase the volume of your tinnitus.

Don't listen to music at too loud a volume for too long. When you listen to loud music for extended periods, your chances of developing hearing loss increase. The possibility of your tinnitus worsening increases.

Tinnitus and the Effects of Headphones

Headphones can produce sound at much higher volumes than the human ear can handle. This can cause permanent hearing damage and tinnitus, which is a ringing or buzzing sound in the ears even when there is no external noise.

According to the American Tinnitus Association, 50 million Americans have some degree of tinnitus, with 12 million severely affected.

Headphones, especially cheap ones, don't do your ears any favors. It has been demonstrated that people who listen to music at 85 decibels (dB) or higher for extended periods are more likely to develop permanent hearing loss and tinnitus.

What Is the Best Way to Listen to Music While Suffering from Tinnitus?

The best way to listen to music while suffering from tinnitus is to set your volume control to the lowest level that still allows you to enjoy the music and then gradually increase it if necessary. Reduce the volume again if your tinnitus becomes louder or more frequent.

Some people prefer to reduce the bass because it has a greater impact on their tinnitus than louder treble sounds. It could, however, be the other way around for you.

The goal is to strike a balance between good sound quality and comfort when listening at high volumes.

Instead of speakers, you can use headphones or earphones to precisely control the loudness levels you are exposed to. This allows you to maximize sound quality while avoiding damaging volumes.

Consider using hearing aids instead of headphones or earphones if you have difficulty hearing music through headphones or earphones.

The most important thing is to ensure that the volume of your music does not cause additional hearing damage.