Is It Really True In-EarPhones Are Dangerous to Tinnitus Sufferers?

[Searing Wave]

I have read a lot of debates about this but I felt the need to open this thread because I do not know what to believe anymore...

There are people who say that in-ear phones are perfectly safe if used at reasonable volume and there are just as many people who say that no matter the volume you risk causing further damage, aggravating your tinnitus and/or hearing loss.

Being able to listen to my phone with my earphones when outside was really important to me...but now I am paralyzed by this fear and doubt about it and can't enjoy listening to them even on the rare occasions when I try to nowadays.

I would do anything to know the truth about this subject.

 

[fhs]

They are safe at a reasonable volume. I'd like to know what some people think on how they could damage ears if they are at a reasonable volume.

 

[GregCA]

I have read a lot of debates about this but I felt the need to open this thread because I do not know what to believe anymore...

I'm afraid you aren't going to get what you want.

There are people who say that in-ear phones are perfectly safe if used at reasonable volume and there are just as many people who say that no matter the volume you risk causing further damage, aggravating your tinnitus and/or hearing loss.

You will likely find the exact same arguments in this thread. From the "don't use headphones ever" dogma to the "do whatever you want" liberal advice.
The truth is that nobody can tell you for sure since nobody really understands tinnitus that well, let alone your tinnitus.

 

[Alue]

At a low or reasonable volume it shouldn't be any different from listening to your stereo at a reasonable volume. The thing about headphones is it's easy to go above a reasonable volume especially if you are listening to them in noisy environments. If there is a lot of ambient noise and you have to crank up the volume just to be able to hear, I wouldn't use it in that environment.

 

[JurgenG]

I have asked for this advice as well, and indeed you will get two answers.
For me I made a distinction, I only use them if I NEED them. Jobwise etc, and even than limit their use.
I wouldn't use them for fun, not worth -any- risk, how slim it might be.
But that's just my way of dealing with it.

 

[GregCA]

The thing about headphones is it's easy to go above a reasonable volume especially if you are listening to them in noisy environments. If there is a lot of ambient noise and you have to crank up the volume just to be able to hear, I wouldn't use it in that environment.

Indeed.
Noise Cancelling headphones help in that respect as you don't have to crank up the volume that much to compete ambient noise.

 

[glynis]

The advice of Prof David Baguley is that at low volume they should be ok and for people who don't have White Noise Generators or hearing aids then playing white noise or natural sounds through them at low volume can give tinnitus sufferers a break .

I would say keep it low but for some people it can cause aggravation and spike tinnitus .

I'm fine with them but my tinnitus is due to Menieres....lots of love glynis

 

[Kibakiru]

Personally, I can't use earphones. I prefer headphones since they don't shoot sound directly down the ear canal, but I still play it pretty safe and don't wear them often (because my tinnitus sometimes does spike after listening even at a 2% volume). I think that at a reasonable volume and with frequent breaks from your earphones, you should be fine. But, In the end, it is your choice. None of us can really predict if it'll make your tinnitus worse since tinnitus is different for everybody. But the same rule applies: Play it safe.

I don't think earphones/headphones are worth the risk.

 

[Jim51042]

http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2017/01/30/hearing-loss-earphones

 

[Jason C]

I wouldn't risk using headphones or earphones if you have tinnitus, if tinnitus is caused by loud noise then it would be a bigger risk.

This of it this way, if you hurt yourself would you risk hurting yourself again??

Massive depression due to tinnitus is not good for mental health. Believe me.

 

[SomberMusings]

I know this is an old thread but from what I've seen so far on this forum is that 90% of the people here either have severe tinnitus or OCD so you should take everything here with a grain of salt. People who have tinnitus and are okay with it, or it progressively got better (which is most people) don't come here. It's the hypochondriacs and those who have nowhere else to turn who do. I think earphones are fine for most people as long as they don't blast the music and don't listen to it too frequently, like I did when I used to maladaptive daydream a lot. It didn't really damage my hearing, it just made my ears really fucking dirty. Most professionals advise keeping the volume under 60% and only listening 60 minutes a day. If you have Hyperacusis, then maybe avoid earphones altogether. People on this site need to lighten the fuck up. Playing it safe all the time is what leads people to depression and anxiety, take it from me. If you habituated and your ears aren't as sensitive, a little bit of music isn't going to kill you.