21st century, the age of technological progress. Every day most of people listen wear something with wires or wireless. Watches, earphones, earbuds and many others. But, we don’t limit ourselves only daytime wearing. There are people, who are sleeping with earbuds on.
I guess, you would probably like to know whether it is good or bad for your health? Undoubtedly, there are pros and cons for earbuds. So, here is the question, sleeping with earbuds bad for your health or not? Let’s find out! P.s. personally me, cannot imagine myself being outside of my house without music in my ears. If you are as me, it will double interesting for you to read the article up to the end.
Key Takeaways
- Deeply seated earbuds may lead to earwax build-up, impacting the eardrum.
- Poorly fitting earbuds may cause pressure, leading to tissue death.
- Noise-cancelling earbuds may pose risks, as users may not hear alarms during emergencies.
- High volumes during sleep can cause permanent damage and potential hearing loss.
- Listening to music can stimulate serotonin production, enhancing mood and relaxation.
- Wearing earbuds may interfere with natural sleep patterns.
- Explore white noise machines, relaxation techniques, and a comfortable sleep environment as alternatives to earbuds.
Risks When Sleeping With Earbuds On
Let’s start with the most important – our health. If during day time, we can control our devices, night time – we are under control of gadgets. Did you watch the famous series of The Terminator? Machines are not so peaceful as may seem to be. When used appropriately, sleeping with earphones, earbuds or headphones can be safe, and they help you fall asleep more easily. In case of headphones, you have to be careful with the volume of the music so that you don’t put pressure on your ears and damage them over a period of time. With normal earbuds, you have to be conscious of the same and keep in mind that they are not going too deep into your ears. So, what are these risks and side-effects? Let’s find out:
Ear Wax Accumulation
If you are wearing earbuds that sit a little more deeply in your ear, you might risk developing a build-up of ear wax in your ears. This is because the earbuds will block the air circulation around your ear, causing the wax to be more easily pressed into your eardrum. If a lot of ear wax builds up over time, it might be difficult to remove it without causing damage to your ears. So, sleeping with earbuds on like these is bad for your health. Check the size before use! Try them on well!
Otitis Externa
This is the name given to a condition which involves irritation to your ear canal. Worst case, the skin around your ear canal area will slowly wear out and cause fluid to get into the ear. This will also result in pain in the outer ear. The ear canal is important as it connects the outer ear to the eardrum. This condition is common among swimmers but can also happen in people who constantly wear headphones and earbuds. Therefore, you will have to be cautious while wearing them to sleep.
Necrosis
If your earbuds do not fit well, they will exert pressure on the skin inside your ear canal. lll-fitting earbuds may exert excessive pressure on the skin, leading to discomfort and irritation. Over time, this persistent pressure can result in the gradual wearing away of the skin, creating a potential pathway for complications.
One significant concern is the occurrence of necrosis, which refers to the death of tissue. When the skin experiences prolonged pressure and insufficient circulation, the cells may become deprived of essential nutrients and oxygen, leading to tissue damage and, in severe cases, necrosis.
Issues of safety when you wear earbuds
If you are wearing headphones that have music or any noise-canceling earbuds, then you face a safety risk of failing to hear an alarm going off in the middle of the night. This can have catastrophic results, especially during emergencies. In emergency situations, timely response is paramount, and alarms serve as vital auditory cues to alert individuals to potential dangers. When using headphones or noise-canceling earbuds, there’s a heightened likelihood of these alarms being muffled or entirely unheard.
Hearing loss from listening to music
If you’re sleeping with headphones on, you could accidentally turn the volume up. Listening to loud music for too long can cause permanent damage to your ears.
Most headphones have a maximum volume of 85 to 110 decibels. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration says listening to sound that’s 85 decibels and up over an eight-hour period is too loud.
It’s equivalent to the loudness of lawnmowers and leaf blowers and can cause hearing loss if the listener doesn’t have hearing protection.
For headphones, it’s best to keep the volume at 60%. Listening to anything louder than that can lead to hearing problems in the future.
Advantages of sleeping with earphones on
So, as we may see, there are lot’s risks that we can face. Nevertheless, there are some advantages, too.
People sleep with earbuds to shut out noise
You can use headphones or earbuds to shut out all kinds of noise, like people talking or traffic sounds outside, helping you sleep more peacefully.
You may want to wear headphones to stimulate serotonin
Serotonin is a chemical produced in our brain which makes us feel good. Listening to music we like is a way to stimulate serotonin production and make us feel happy and relaxed. When you’re in such a pleasant mood, falling asleep and staying asleep becomes much easier.
If you are thinking that sleeping with earbuds on is bad for your health, luckily ShutEye has something special prepared for you! Let’s speak about alternatives to earbuds!
Alternative methods to help you fall asleep
ShutEye is your treasure chest that combines science, theory, and practical tools which are given to anyone in the simplest and the most efficient way! In the context of today’s talk, this magic tool can offer you a collection of sounds and noises! Let’s discover them together! Make yourself comfortable, relax, and here we go.
First, let me explain what “White Noise” is. White noise is something that can help you sleep comfortably. You can listen to white noise on your headphones to relax and get into a state of sleep. Studies show that music helps to lower your breathing and your heart rate.
Listening to music before you go to bed always can relax your mind, so you can listen to soft music on your headphones or speakers! This will help your body loosen up and focus more on sleeping, instead of on other pesky daytime thoughts.
In case you face some difficulties in choosing your best sound, try our Online Background Noise Generator where you can preview some of the sounds we use in our app ShutEye try them for free and enjoy your own mix of sounds! Are you feeling too hot and dry? It is high time for you to humidify your environment with this authentic Free Rain Sounds Background Noise, I even feel it in my lungs already.
If you want all these sounds to be by your hand and available anytime and anywhere, download our app ShutEye. Join the healthy sleeping circle of millions of people! Numerous functions and options are available for free, the rest is up to your choice!
FAQ
Is it safe to sleep with headphones or earbuds?
It generally is not recommended to sleep with headphones or earbuds due to potential risks when sleeping with these devices.
What are the risks of sleeping with headphones or earbuds?
Risks when sleeping with headphones or earbuds include potential damage to the ear canal from wearing headphones for long periods, as well as the possibility of not being able to hear important sounds, such as alarms or emergency alerts, especially if you’re looking to fall asleep faster.
Can sleeping with earbuds affect the quality of sleep?
Yes, wearing headphones or earbuds can potentially interfere with natural sleep by preventing the brain from entering deep sleep, even if you are using them to listen to calming white noise.
What is the effect of wearing headphones or earbuds while sleeping on one’s ability to hear?
When wearing headphones or earbuds to bed, you may not be able to hear important sounds, including someone standing within arm’s reach or alarms, which can affect your safety.
Can sleeping with earbuds lead to ear problems?
Yes, wearing headphones or earbuds for prolonged periods during sleep may increase the risk of issues such as earwax buildup or a condition called “swimmer’s ear,” which can cause discomfort or ringing in your ears.
What are the potential benefits of sleeping with headphones or earbuds?
Some people find that listening to calming music before bed with earbuds can help them relax and improve their sleep, but it is essential to consider the potential side effects of wearing headphones or earbuds during sleep.
How can I improve my sleep without wearing headphones or earbuds?
You can improve your sleep by establishing a relaxing bedtime routine, ensuring a comfortable sleep environment, and avoiding factors that can disrupt sleep, such as caffeine and electronic devices.
Can wearing headphones or earbuds during sleep cause any long-term effects?
Prolonged use of headphones or earbuds during sleep may contribute to long-term issues with the ear canal and hearing, so it’s important to be mindful of the potential impact on your health and seek alternative sleep aids if needed.
Is it safe to listen to music through earbuds while sleeping?
While some individuals find it relaxing to listen to music through earbuds before falling asleep, you should be cautious about the potential impact on your ability to hear important sounds and the long-term effects on your ears.
What are some alternatives to sleeping with headphones or earbuds?
Alternatives to wearing headphones or earbuds for sleep include using a white noise machine, practicing relaxation techniques, and creating a comfortable sleep environment to promote natural and restful sleep without the use of headphones or earbuds.