It’s not uncommon for people to want to play music or a sleepcast through headphones or earbuds while they doze off. This could help get you relaxed enough for sleep and drown out any racing thoughts that are preventing you from being able to get some shut-eye. But is doing this safe? We review the answer to this question below.
What the Research Shows
There was a Swedish study published in 2017 that aimed to investigate self-reported hearing and portable music listening habits in Swedish adolescents.
The researchers found, “Although the vast majority listened at moderate sound levels and for shorter periods of time, the study also indicates that there is a subgroup (10%) that listens between 90 and 100 dB for longer periods of time, even during sleep. This group might be at risk for developing future noise-induced hearing impairments.”
This shows that certain behaviors while listening to music, including prolonged or loud listening, could be unsafe.
How to Listen Safely
Here are some tips for listening safely during sleep:
Avoid Noise-Cancelling Features
You should never listen to music with noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds while sleeping, as this is not safe in case there’s an emergency. You should easily be able to hear a fire alarm, your phone ringing or your child crying.
Don’t Use Cords
You should also avoid listening with headphones or earbuds that have cords. Not only can they accidentally adjust the volume and turn it up much louder than is safe, they can also wrap around your neck and pose a hazard to your safety.
Keep the Volume Low
If you do have a cordless model with no noise-cancelling feature and you choose to listen during sleep, it’s essential that you keep the volume at half the max or lower. This way you won’t cause damage to the tiny hair cells in your inner ear that help you hear, which may lead to hearing loss.
Opt for an External Speaker
If you sleep alone or your partner doesn’t mind, we recommend listening with an external speaker rather than headphones or earbuds. This way, there is less threat to your ears and your overall safety.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Victory Hearing & Balance today.