Can Headphones Cause Tinnitus? (2023)

Q: Can Headphones Make Tinnitus Worse?

If you suffer from tinnitus , you may wonder if headphones can worsen your condition. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. While some people find that headphones help mask the sound of their tinnitus , others find that the constant ambient noise can worsen their symptoms. There is no right or wrong answer regarding using headphones with tinnitus . It depends on the individual and how they respond to sound. If you find that headphones make your tinnitus worse, then it might be best to avoid using them. However, if you find that they help you to cope with your condition, then there is no harm in using them. You must speak to your doctor if you are struggling to cope with your tinnitus . They will be able to offer advice and support on how to best manage your condition.

Q: Does Tinnitus From Headphones Go Away?

If you experience tinnitus , or ringing in the ears, after using headphones, don't worry - it is usually temporary and will go away on its own. Tinnitus is typically caused by exposure to loud noise, so it makes sense that it would be exacerbated by wearing headphones. This is especially true if you listen to music at high volumes or wear headphones for long periods. Tinnitus is not permanent and will usually go away within a few days to a week. Make sure you always consider noise reduction rather than loud background noise. Yet, If you're still concerned about tinnitus, consult a doctor or audiologist to discuss treatment options.

A girl in blue T-shirt wearing yellow headphones is irritated by the loud sound.

If you’re looking for things with no cons, you’ll not gonna find that. However, it really depends on you rather than blaming things that they’ve cons. To answer the question, can headphones cause tinnitus? Yes, headphones cause tinnitus. All types of wireless headphones or earbuds are harmful for your ears when you use them excessively.

When you go for enjoyment and relaxation and don’t even consider the negative impacts of usage, it becomes a curse for you.

When it comes to headphones, you listen to music at high volumes, which can be harmful for you. Your hearing will undoubtedly be affected if you exceed the safe listening or warning level for long hours. Tinnitus is not rare, but is a widespread side effect of hearing loss.

Let’s discuss some more facts.

What Is Tinnitus?

A person is experiencing tinnitus and put his hand on the ear

Tinnitus is a common disease that can be caused due to ear infections, diabetes, hypertension, brain injury, etc. Tinnitus is a sound your ear in one or both ears that feel high, pitching, ringing, or hissing noise.

However, there are various types of tinnitus, and it can also be changed over time. Mostly, tinnitus is temporary and reversible.

How Do Headphones Cause Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is hearing loss. Interestingly, it is widespread and happens to all of us, but if you increase the pace you will become prey to tinnitus; when you strain your ears and expose them to loud noises, it can easily lead to hearing loss.

Have you ever experienced the sound generated from loudspeakers? If yes, you might have felt that it causes vibration in your entire body because of the loud sound of loudspeakers.

However, it doesn’t happen to you when you use headphones or earbuds, but somehow you make it on your own after exceeding the safe listening level.

You’ve included headphones in your life. Many research studies proved that most people use headphones at high volumes. Studies also proved that headphones are not ideal for children. However, they may use it seldom.

In addition, age also causes tinnitus, but age alone can’t be considered a cause because there are other causes we’ve discussed, like high volume, loud noises, etc.

What Are The Causes Of Tinnitus?

Tinnitus can’t be caused by headphones alone, but several other reasons cause tinnitus and some other effects. The following might be the possible causes.
As I discussed earlier, there might be several reasons: tinnitus is caused by high-frequency sound waves. Other factors may be inflammation, high blood pressure, stress, anxiety, jaw clenching, gunshots fired near the ear, deep ear wax, nerve damage, etc. So, you can’t claim high-frequency sound waves or loud sounds as the causes of tinnitus, but always consider the other factors too.
Tinnitus can be caused due to high-pitched noise. It is caused by constant exposure to loud music or noise (loud concert). As a result, tinnitus or hearing damage is caused.
Your posture also plays a vital role in this regard. Your posture can also do damage and become the cause of tinnitus. The tilt of the head and chin press the nerve against the inner ear, which causes the noise. It may lead to abnormal activities in the auditory cortex. In this way, your posture can lead you to tinnitus.
Muscle stiffness or tension in the neck, jaw, and shoulder can cause tinnitus.
One of the primary and leading causes of tinnitus might be the excessive use of headphones. You’ve included headphones in your daily lives and give much time to listen to music. Besides, you always enjoy music at a high volume. High volume highly affects your ear. A loud volume or environment can easily cause tinnitus when you’re listening to music for too long at a high volume.

Do Noise-Cancelling Headphones Cause Hearing Loss Or Tinnitus?

Stylish Noise-cancelling headphones.

Noise-cancelling headphones are not harmful to your ears. Headphones with noise-canceling technology and anti-phase noise that’s generated by the ANC circuit can never be a threat to your hearing. It may not damage your brain. However, it can cause headaches and dizziness.

Tinnitus or hearing loss causes loud volume when you listen to music at a high volume near your ear. The more volume you increase, the more damage you’ll do. So, the leading cause is high volume, not noise cancellation headphones.

Do Noise-Cancelling Headphones Cause Vertigo Or Headache?

A girl is experiencing headache while working

Noise-cancelling headphones don’t cause hearing loss. However, headaches and dizziness are reported by many users. It is all done due to sound pressure build-up in the inner part of your ear. Headache is prevalent in people using noise-cancellation headphones for long hours. Active noise cancellation technology is responsible for these side effects.

Why Do Noise-Cancelling Headphones Cause Headaches?

Headache is a widespread side effect of active noise-cancelling headphones. But you’ll not experience it as you become too accustomed to the differences and the changes in sound pressure level. It is done because noise-canceling provides the listener with a new environment to which your brain is not accustomed.

The environmental effects are not harmful to you, but they’re related to the air pressure.

FAQs

Can Headphones Make Tinnitus Worse?

If you suffer from tinnitus, you may wonder if headphones can worsen your condition. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. While some people find that headphones help mask the sound of their tinnitus, others find that the constant ambient noise can worsen their symptoms.

There is no right or wrong answer regarding using headphones with tinnitus. It depends on the individual and how they respond to sound. If you find that headphones make your tinnitus worse, then it might be best to avoid using them. However, if you find that they help you to cope with your condition, then there is no harm in using them.

You must speak to your doctor if you are struggling to cope with your tinnitus. They will be able to offer advice and support on how to best manage your condition.

Does Tinnitus From Headphones Go Away?

If you experience tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, after using headphones, don’t worry – it is usually temporary and will go away on its own. Tinnitus is typically caused by exposure to loud noise, so it makes sense that it would be exacerbated by wearing headphones. This is especially true if you listen to music at high volumes or wear headphones for long periods.

Tinnitus is not permanent and will usually go away within a few days to a week. Make sure you always consider noise reduction rather than loud background noise. Yet, If you’re still concerned about tinnitus, consult a doctor or audiologist to discuss treatment options.

What are the safe volume levels?

Well, whenever you use headphones and turn up the volume, you might reach 115db, equivalent to a rock concert. At such a loud volume, you can lose your hearing within a minute. Again, it would help if you keep the volume low while using headphones to avoid tinnitus and other ear infection.

In addition, you can also limit your listening time which might help you a lot in this regard. However, for adults, 80db is a safe volume level, but you should also try to give breaks to your ears. More than 90db can also increase the chances of damaging your ears.

How Can You Avoid Tinnitus Using Headphones?

All you can do yourself is lower the volume when using headphones. Always try to keep your volume at a safe volume level, not over the warning level. Try to stay at 70% or below volume. It is safe for your health. In addition, whenever you’re going to buy a new pair of headphones, try to consider volume-limited headphones.

Read also: How Long Do Bluetooth Headphones Take To Charge?

Concluding Note

Can headphones cause tinnitus? To conclude this question, it is true that headphones can cause tinnitus, but it mainly depends on the user. How do you use your headphones, what amount of time do you give, at what volume do you listen to music, etc.?

In this article, I’ve already discussed these major factors causing tinnitus. So, you need to listen to music at a moderate volume and not for too long. You can also generate various ear diseases that might harm you at high volume. Avoid tinnitus or any ear infection using headphones at a safe volume level.

Hopefully, this article will help you to prevent tinnitus and ear infections.

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