Sleeping with Headphones: Safety, Benefits, and More

Sleeping with headphones is something many people do every night, and for good reason. Listening to music can give us a better night’s sleep, and using headphones keeps you from disturbing other people with an external speaker. But is sleeping with headphones safe? Generally, yes. But it’s important to follow safety precautions. Our complete guide will show you how to use headphones at night safely, give you in-depth reviews for all of our top headphone picks, and look at the benefits of sleeping with headphones.

Is sleeping with headphones safe?
۱. For the most part, yes, but there are some risks to be aware of. While all these risks can be managed by using properly-fitting headphones and keeping the volume at a moderate level, it’s a good idea to be aware of them. If you want to take a break from using headphones while sleeping and you’re not worried about disturbing other people, you can always use an external speaker. Some potential problems from sleeping with headphones include:
– Earwax build-up: Earbuds block the natural movement of wax outside the ear, so it’s best not to wear them too long, or wear over-the-ear headphones if you’re concerned about this.[1]

– Hearing loss: Listening to loud music for prolonged periods of time can damage your hearing. Try to limit your volume to 60% of its maximum to prevent hearing loss.[2]
– Pressure headaches: Some people may experience headaches with tight-fitting headphones that place pressure on their skull. Using a more comfortable pair can limit these symptoms.[3]
– Necrosis: Ill-fitting headphones can damage the skin in your ear canal over time, which happens when there’s not enough blood flow to keep cells alive. Looser headphones can prevent this from happening.[4]

– Missing emergencies: Noise-cancelling headphones can keep you from hearing important calls, alarms, or warnings about emergencies.[5]
What are the benefits of sleeping with headphones?
Calmer sleep: There have been several studies on the effect of music on sleep that show that listening to music that relaxes you can lead you to feel more well-rested. If you’re experiencing insomnia, listening to music may be able to help you fall and stay asleep.[6]
Improved mood: Listening to music or a podcast you enjoy stimulates the production of serotonin, a chemical that makes you feel good. For people who experience depression, listening to music as you sleep can help your mood at night.[7]

Tinnitus relief: If you’re someone who experiences tinnitus, or a constant buzzing or ringing sound in your ears, listing to music or a podcast at night can give you some relief. There are also specialized music therapies that remove certain irritating frequencies from sound, which can also help alleviate your symptoms.[8]