{"id":453,"date":"2018-09-06T08:56:35","date_gmt":"2018-09-06T08:56:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wesleepwell.co.uk\/?p=453"},"modified":"2021-12-22T22:35:43","modified_gmt":"2021-12-22T22:35:43","slug":"sleeping-with-headphones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wesleepwell.co.uk\/sleeping-with-headphones\/","title":{"rendered":"Sleeping With Headphones [A Simple Guide]"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some people prefer to sleep to white noise. Others find nature sounds like rain or ocean waves to be more soothing while others sleep better to soft music<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While you can always play these sounds from a speaker on your bedside, most people prefer using a pair of headphones or earphones. Headphones are also more practical if your partner prefers to sleep in absolute silence.<\/p>\n

But can sleeping with headphones cause any health issues?<\/p>\n

Also, and this is a dilemma many people have faced, how do you sleep comfortably on your side while wearing a pair of headphones<\/a>?<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll start with the first question.<\/p>\n

Health effects<\/h2>\n

The biggest health concern with using headphones is if you are listening to loud music for extended periods. It can lead to noise-induced hearing loss.<\/p>\n

But most people who sleep with headphones are looking to enjoy soft soothing sounds, not loud banging music.<\/p>\n

So the risk of hearing damage is virtually non-existent.<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s a risk of earwax build-up for people who use in-ear earphones. The earpieces prevent wax from falling out of the ears, causing a build-up.<\/p>\n

This can lead to irritation, ear pain, reduced hearing and itching.<\/p>\n

Headphones (mostly the in-ear ones) can also cause or aggravate Otitis Externa, an inflammation of the ear canal. Symptoms include pain, irritation or itchiness and reduced hearing.<\/p>\n

Staying safe when sleeping with headphones<\/h2>\n

I recommend buying over-ear headphones instead of those that you insert inside your ear. They are not only less likely to cause an infection or lead to wax build-up, they are also better for your hearing since they are further away from the eardrum.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also essential that you get good quality headphones. It\u2019s better to spend a bit more on a good pair from a trusted brand.<\/p>\n

Low quality headphones with poor sound quality can cause hearing problems especially when you crank up the volume to try and hear better.<\/p>\n

Look for highly-rated headphones with minimal sound distortion, external noise filtering or cancellation and excellent sound quality.<\/p>\n

Finally, don\u2019t wear the headphones for too long. Unless you have sleeping headphones, which are designed for safe and comfortable hours-long use, don\u2019t leave your headphones on till morning.<\/p>\n

When you get sufficiently sleepy, take them off. If you need to have them on through the night (e.g. if you need to block your partner\u2019s snoring), buy specially-designed sleeping headphones.<\/p>\n

Also don\u2019t forget to keep your headphones clean. Occasionally wipe them with some rubbing alcohol to keep germs away and reduce the risk of an ear infection.<\/p>\n