Love Wearing Earbuds?
Here’s What You Need to Know About Hearing Loss
Earbuds are everywhere—in the gym, at work, during commutes, and even while sleeping. They’re small, convenient, and deliver your favorite music, podcasts, or calls straight into your ears. But here’s the question no one asks: Are they slowly damaging your hearing?
This March 3, as we observe World Hearing Day, let’s talk about something that many overlook—hearing loss caused by everyday habits. Because if you love your earbuds, your ears deserve a little love too.
Can Your Earbuds Really Cause Hearing Loss?
Short answer: Yes.
Longer answer: It depends on how you use them.
Here’s why earbuds can be risky:
🎧 They sit deep inside your ear canal, delivering sound directly to your eardrums.
🔊 Most people crank up the volume to block out background noise.
⏳ Hearing damage is gradual—you won’t notice it until it’s too late.
The scary part? Hearing loss is irreversible. Once your hearing is damaged, it doesn’t come back.
How Loud is Too Loud?
If your music is loud enough for someone else to hear it from your earbuds, it’s too loud.
Here’s a quick decibel (dB) guide to help you gauge safe listening levels:
🔹 Normal conversation – 60 dB (Safe)
🔹 Busy street traffic – 70 dB (Safe)
🔹 Earbuds at 80% volume – 95+ dB (Risky)
🔹 Concerts, sirens, fireworks – 110+ dB (Danger)
Listening at 100 dB for just 15 minutes can cause permanent hearing damage. And if you’re someone who lives with earbuds in, you could be fast-tracking hearing loss without realizing it.
Warning Signs Your Hearing is in Trouble
Hearing loss doesn’t happen overnight. It sneaks up on you, and by the time you notice, the damage is done. Look out for these early warning signs:
- You hear ringing or buzzing (tinnitus) after using earbuds.
- You struggle to understand people in noisy environments.
- You keep asking others to repeat themselves.
- The TV volume is getting higher and higher.
- You feel like everyone is mumbling.
If any of these sound familiar, your hearing might already be at risk.
How to Protect Your Hearing (Without Giving Up Earbuds)
Good news! You don’t have to ditch your earbuds—just use them smarter.
🎧 Follow the 60/60 rule – Keep volume under 60% and listen for no more than 60 minutes at a time.
🔇 Use noise-canceling earbuds – They block out background noise so you don’t have to turn the volume up.
🎵 Switch to over-ear headphones – They distribute sound better and reduce ear strain.
🔄 Take listening breaks – Give your ears time to recover between long listening sessions.
🩺 Get a hearing check-up – Just like regular eye exams, your hearing needs routine testing too.
Does Health Insurance Cover Hearing Loss?
Many people don’t realize that hearing care—including hearing tests, treatments, and hearing aids—can be covered by health insurance. But not all plans include it. This March 3, make a small change that could protect your hearing for life.
- Turn down the volume.
- Take breaks from your earbuds.
- Get your hearing tested.
- Make sure your health insurance covers hearing care.
Your ears don’t come with a reset button—but you can start protecting them today.
🔗 Take a free online hearing test.
🔗 Find health insurance plans that cover hearing care.
Love your earbuds? Love your ears more.