Do Over-ear Headphones Cause Pain?

Even though I would like to use headphones or earbuds while sleeping, it is not possible, particularly since current over-the-ear headphones can still feel awkward and hurt the ears.

Since everything is agreed upon, let's move on to a more fundamental inquiry: Can over-ear headphones damage your ears?

Yes, wearing headphones (or earbuds) improperly can cause damage to your ears. You risk developing ear pain, as well as a variety of other issues like migraines, ear infections, and permanent hearing loss, if you wear uncomfortable headphones and use them incorrectly for an extended period of time.

As long as you are aware of these issues and are aware of how to fix them, you can thankfully benefit from the enhanced listening experience that many headphones offer.

Are Over-ear Headphones Harmful to Your Ears?

Headphones, not speakers, and definitely not earbuds, are, in my opinion, the ideal audio device for listening to music. Earbuds or speakers cannot yet match the degree of fidelity provided by headphones, at least not yet.

Headphones do have a negative side, though. Unlike speakers or earbuds, most headphones—especially the cheap ones that are overrunning the market—are painful to use and are quite uncomfortable.

Wearing headphones is more difficult than it seems for a number of reasons, especially for a beginner. As a result, I want to discuss the causes of discomfort and earache in this part.

1. Extreme clamping force by the headband

The headband's clamping force is one of the major drawbacks of wearing headphones. It could have a mild clamping force or a tight one, depending on the size of your skull; if the latter applies to you, utilizing those headphones will be challenging.

The majority of headphone makers create their headphones with the typical consumer in mind, who also happens to have a "medium-sized" head. Therefore, consumers on either end of this spectrum—that is, those with smaller heads and those with larger heads—will not be able to wear most headphones.

Although the adjustable headband parts and cushioning do to some extent alleviate the issue, they aren't a guarantee, and you may still experience stiffness and discomfort when wearing them.

It's not worth the hassle; there are growing pains, and then there's just misery if you keep pushing through and let the tight headphones dig into your skull. In this instance, it's the latter, and you'll suffer from a headache or an abrasion as a result.

2. Allergic reactions and ear infections

When you have an ear infection or an allergic response, headphones may also begin to damage your ears. These can be brought on by wearing headphones, getting hurt, or having other health issues.

Most often, ear wax accumulation or bacteria getting into the ears through the headphones cause outer ear infections. Additionally, prolonged use of headphones can hasten the growth of microorganisms. You can still use your over-ear headphones despite having an ear infection, so don't worry.

This is also true with earbuds, and they are far more likely to result in skin inflammation, earwax buildup, and inner ear pain.

3. Insufficient padding on the ear cups

As I have stated, the majority of headphones on the market are made of flimsy materials and have little padding. Even though some of them may appear to be high-end, their ear cushions and ear pad liners will either be insufficient or too stiff to use comfortably.

You'll feel the plastic and metal components of headphones that don't have adequate padding pushing into your skin, especially if they clamp on firmly. Headaches and abrasions of the skin may arise from this. Additionally, it might leave a brief dent or impression in your head.

There are several different types of cushioning materials utilized in headphones, as well as extra accessories you can wear to increase comfort.

4. Noise-isolating headphones' effects

When there is a lot of background noise, closed-back headphones, or noise-isolating headphones, are the best choice for listening to music. Close-backed noise-cancelling headphones produce a tighter seal around your ears than open-back models, which, when used excessively, may be uncomfortable or unhealthy.

Although the active-noise cancellation effect has not been proven to be detrimental to the ears, these headphones and earbuds will attempt to seal off your ear canal in order to stop sound from entering. When the ears are covered, heat and moisture can be trapped inside the ear canal, which makes the area more hospitable to contagious bacteria and fungi.

5. Playing loud music

Everyone has experienced having their eardrums threatened with popping if they continue to listen to loud music while wearing headphones. They make a valid point—we should quit listening to loud music—even though they won't appreciate the pleasures of hearing the BFG Division.

Loud noises (above 70 dB) can start to overwork the hair cells in our cochlea. It can wear down the cells over time and result in permanent hearing loss. Other than that, it can cause headaches and tinnitus.

6. Glasses, piercings, and headwear

If you've ever tried playing video games while wearing glasses, you know it's not enjoyable. It's also incredibly tough to make jewelry, headgear, and glasses work with headphones. However, I don't wear glasses. I personally have a few friends who have a hard time breaking in new headphones and headsets.

Since headphones aren't made to fit these various types of headgear, they may be irritating or even uncomfortable. In addition to being extremely uncomfortable, glasses can irritate your skin, resulting in abrasions and headaches.

How to Avoid Ear Pain With Over-the-ear Headphones?

Thus, if you've read this far, you're aware that headphones can be painful. Fortunately, there are many DIY hacks and techniques to reduce pain and restore the greatness of using headphones, so you don't have to suffer in "silence" while wearing headphones.

I'll outline numerous steps you can take in this section to stop headphones from hurting.

1. Extend the headphones

Tight-clamping headphones might put additional pressure on your head. Such headphones may harm your ears and make you uncomfortable. We discussed this earlier, and now we'll discuss ways to reduce the powerful clamping force.

A new pair of headphones will initially make you uncomfortable and make you feel as though they don't fit well. You do, however, grow used to it after adjusting the headphones and leaving them on for a while.

Some headphones will clamp on very tightly even after using them for a few days, so not everyone will find their first pair to be as forgiving. Thankfully, there are things you can do to spread them apart and lessen the clamping force.

2. Change the earpads

Changing the earpads on headphones is similar to changing the ear tips on earbuds; unless you give it a try, you won't realize how much better it can be.

Since headphones, especially closed-back models, apply a lot of pressure on the sides of your ears to achieve a tighter fit, it can be painful if your earpads don't have a lot of padding or cushioning or are lined with a harder substance.

You will feel the earpads pressing on your ears if the padding is too hard and the earpads are too small. The earpads will droop over your ears, hanging on and exerting pressure on the ear cartilage, if they are excessively large and shallow.

The ear pads can be replaced as one remedy for this. Fortunately, you can find a ton of replacement pads online, each with a unique cushioning and liner material.

3. Add extra padding to the headband

Along with replacing the ear cup cushions and liners, you can add more padding to the headband by covering it with a cushioned headband cover.

If you experience headband discomfort at the top of your head, these headband cushions are a lifesaver. To prevent the headband from pressing against your head, it will soften and distribute the weight.

4. Change the frame of your glasses

There are a few ways to stop the glasses' frame from pressing into your head if you wish to use headphones while wearing glasses, and changing the ear pads is one of them.

However, you might choose a longer-lasting solution devoid of replacement pads. If so, I suggest switching your glasses' frame for one that is a little more svelte and "low-profile." It will reduce, or perhaps eliminate, the headband's pressure on your head.

5. Take breaks frequently

You probably spend a lot of time wearing earbuds or headphones if you're gaming, streaming, editing or mixing videos, or taking calls.

You are restricting the ear canal while you are using earbuds or headphones. Because of this airflow restriction and heat buildup inside your ears, caused by the headphone drivers, You don't want to be in this condition because it might induce ear infections and earwax buildup. Additionally, it can wear out the inner ears and ear cartilage, resulting in headaches, migraines, and additional ear pain.

Therefore, I strongly advise taking regular breaks and letting your ears breathe whenever possible, even though your task demands it. It's better to give your ears ten minutes to "heave a sigh of relief" every couple of hours.

6. Avoid on-ear headphones

Honestly, I don’t know why people use on-ear headphones over “over ears.” I’ve had good luck with over-ears and don’t intend to move to anything else yet.

Over-ear headphones sit comfortably around your ears instead of slamming directly into the ear cartilage. In my opinion, the only thing that’s great about them is the smaller form factor.

So, if you are using on-ear headphones (and suffering from it), I think it’s high time you give over-ear headphones a try. They are more comfortable and do a better job of isolating noise.

Conclusion

You will undoubtedly suffer from headphones, either physically or monetarily. You should still try some of the above-mentioned lifehacks even if your body doesn't adjust to the headphones after a few days. They will enable you to wear the headphones pain-free and comfortably.

You can use these headphones to lessen your financial suffering.