I found myself wearing wired headphones, really due to my regular wireless pair having broken. It was a quick fix for me, as they were readily available and saved me a trip to purchase another wireless set. A good friend of mine found it quite amusing. He laughed and commented that I must be getting old to still be comfortable wearing wired headphones. I was amused at his take on technology and aging, but honestly, I was very comfortable with the well-working wired pair. Eventually, I replaced my earbuds with another wireless set, but recent findings about ear health and wireless technology have led me to reconsider. What began as a temporary fix may actually have been a quiet act of protection.
The rise of wireless earbuds has redefined how we experience sound. They’ve become inseparable from modern life—worn during workouts, commutes, video calls, even while sleeping. But the latest studies suggest that our intimacy with these small devices may come at a cost. From hearing loss and ear infections to concerns over radiation and cognitive effects, researchers are warning that the invisible dangers of long-term earbud use deserve more public attention. At the same time, some athletes and high-performance professionals are quietly going back to wired headphones, choosing reliability and safety over sleek convenience.
Recent research paints a clear picture: the way we use earbuds matters as much as the devices themselves. A 2023 review titled “Impact on Hearing Due to Prolonged Use of Audio Devices” found that long-term listening through in-ear devices is strongly associated with hearing impairment, especially when measured in the high-frequency range that early hearing loss often hides. Another study published on the National Institutes of Health database reported that exposure above 85 decibels—a level easily reached on most smartphones—can lead to permanent damage, while even 75 decibels sustained for long periods may still harm the delicate hair cells of the inner ear. The danger is cumulative. According to a national health survey in the United States, approximately 12% of children and teens already exhibit signs of permanent hearing damage associated with excessive noise exposure, much of which is attributed to personal listening devices like AirPods.
The risk isn’t confined to hearing loss alone. Newer studies are identifying non-auditory side effects, particularly ear infections. Research published in 2024 under the title “Ear Symptoms and Earphone Usage” found that long-term earbud users had higher rates of otitis externa—inflammation of the outer ear canal—caused by heat, moisture and trapped bacteria. Because earbuds seal off the ear canal, they interfere with the ear’s natural cleaning process and create a warm environment ideal for microbial growth. Doctors have also noted increased earwax buildup and irritation among those who keep earbuds in for extended hours, especially during exercise or sleep.
A smaller but more speculative body of research examines electromagnetic radiation exposure from Bluetooth and wireless signals. While Bluetooth operates at very low, non-ionizing levels of radiation, well below known harmful thresholds, some scientists argue that long-term exposure deserves closer examination. A 2024 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health examined correlations between Bluetooth headset use and thyroid nodules, although it did not assert causation. Another laboratory study compared the electromagnetic fields of different earbud brands and found variations in emissions, though all remained within safety limits. Major health organizations, including the World Health Organization and the National Cancer Institute, maintain that no clear evidence links Bluetooth exposure to cancer or neurological disease. Still, the absence of definitive risk is not the same as proof of safety—especially when exposure becomes nearly constant throughout the day.
Meanwhile, consumer tech has begun to respond. Apple’s AirPods Pro 2, for instance, were shown to deliver roughly 27 decibels of noise reduction, including over 35 decibels in low frequencies, which allows listeners to keep volume lower in loud environments. The model’s adaptive transparency feature can automatically reduce environmental noise above 85 decibels, keeping sound entering the ear within safer limits. Apple’s “Hearing Protection” and “Hearing Test” features, built through its Apple Hearing Study in collaboration with the University of Michigan, even help users monitor how much sound their ears are exposed to. Yet these innovations, while helpful, are not a cure for unsafe listening habits. The temptation to raise the volume remains one of the biggest culprits.
So what are the safer alternatives? Over-ear and on-ear headphones remain the gold standard for long-term listening. Unlike earbuds, they don’t block the ear canal and can provide excellent sound isolation without needing extreme volume. Models such as the Bose QuietComfort Wireless or the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless offer top-tier noise cancellation, allowing users to hear clearly at safer sound levels. More affordable versions like the Anker Soundcore Q20i or Soundcore Space One provide similar benefits with long battery life and a comfortable fit. Open-ear or bone-conduction designs are another promising alternative, transmitting sound through the cheekbones or just outside the ear canal. These designs leave ears open to natural air flow and environmental sound, lowering the risk of infections and isolation-driven volume increases. Even wired headphones, once thought outdated, are making a quiet comeback, prized for reliability, zero latency and freedom from electromagnetic exposure concerns.
Listening habits may be the most important variable of all. Audiologists continue to recommend the 60/60 rule: listening at no more than 60 percent of maximum volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a time. Users should take regular breaks to let their ears rest, clean their earbuds and earpads frequently, and enable volume-limiting settings on their phones. Noise-canceling features, when used properly, can reduce the need to raise volume in noisy places like subways or gyms. Periodic hearing tests, either professional or app-based, help detect early damage before it becomes permanent.
Many athletes have already drawn their own conclusions. Some professional players have switched back to wired headphones, citing reliability and safety. Former NFL receiver Mark Clayton, who founded LIVV Headphones, designed hybrid models combining athletic durability with optional wired listening. Wired setups also eliminate battery degradation, signal dropouts, and Bluetooth vulnerabilities. For those who depend on focus, timing, and physical precision, a direct connection offers both peace of mind and technical certainty.
Earbuds are not inherently evil, but they are easily misused. Their convenience can lull us into constant exposure, often at unsafe volumes and durations. The newest studies don’t suggest panic, but prudence: awareness that the smallest devices in our ears can have lasting effects on the organs we depend on most to connect with the world. The solution is not fear, but balance. Use technology wisely, rest your hearing, and remember that sometimes the simplest connection, a wire, remains the safest one.
