Recommendations for Good Over-Ear Tinnitus Friendly Headphones?

[Sven]

I rarely use headphones, except sometimes at work or when traveling. (Music and streaming video). I've used a pair of studio phones (Sennheisser 380 HD Pro) the last few years, but even though they're supposedly very good as studio headphones they have a flat sound without much bass. (Hardly any).

Can anyone recommend good over-ear tinnitus friendly headphones that I can use and have good sound without playing too loud?

 

[GregCA]

I'm happy with my Bose noise cancelling headphones. They cancel out outside noise so I can keep the volume low and still hear my content.

 

[Kriszti]

I'm happy with my Bose noise cancelling headphones. They cancel out outside noise so I can keep the volume low and still hear my content.

So, you don't think or don't experience that using headphones worsen your tinnitus? Yours is not noise induced, is it? So if it's probably noise induced, headphones are a no-go?

 

[GregCA]

So, you don't think or don't experience that using headphones worsen your tinnitus?

No.

Yours is not noise induced, is it?

No, but its physiological outcomes are very similar: loss of hair cells in the cochlea and its associated hearing loss.

So if it's probably noise induced, headphones are a no-go?

I haven't seen any study, heard any logical argument, or been told by any of my doctors (I have asked them) that headphones themselves were bad for T.

Loud noise is dangerous, whether it gets to your ear via headphones, speakers, a burglar alarm, or a firetruck... That's what I personally worry about, not the delivery method.

I'll take low volume music via "dangerous headphones" over a loud concert via "safe speakers" any day.

YMMV - we're all different.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I rarely use headphones, except sometimes at work or when traveling. (Music and streaming video). I've used a pair of studio phones (Sennheisser 380 HD Pro) the last few years, but even though they're supposedly very good as studio headphones they have a flat sound without much bass. (Hardly any).

Can anyone recommend good over-ear tinnitus friendly headphones that I can use and have good sound without playing too loud?

Since your tinnitus was caused by loud music, you are playing with fire using any type of headphones even at low volume but it's your choice. Be careful of listening to people that tell you using headphones is fine as long as the volume is kept low, it's not, especially for people with noise induced tinnitus, as there's always a risk of the tinnitus becoming worse. People that don't have noise induced tinnitus may not be so easily affected.

All the best
Michael

 

[Sven]

Since your tinnitus was caused by loud music, you are playing with fire using any type of headphones even at low volume but it's your choice. Be careful of listening to people that tell you using headphones is fine as long as the volume is kept low, it's not, especially for people with noise induced tinnitus, as there's always a risk of the tinnitus becoming worse. People that don't have noise induced tinnitus may not be so easily affected.

All the best
Michael

That's why I want over-ear, preferably noise cancelling so that I can hear well without it being too loud. I use headphones now and then and it's mostly so that I won't disturb my surroundings OR so that I can concentrate when there's too much noise at work. I'm quite comfortable after all this time to measure what's too loud and not, but thanks for your concern. (And it's not even once a week I listen).

Loud noise is dangerous, whether it gets to your ear via headphones, speakers, a burglar alarm, or a firetruck... That's what I personally worry about, not the delivery method.

I think Greg was spot on right here.

 

[Sven]

I'm happy with my Bose noise cancelling headphones. They cancel out outside noise so I can keep the volume low and still hear my content.

Now I had time to do some research. These are expensive, but seems to be what I might be looking for: Sony WH-1000XM3

 

[Michael Leigh]

That's why I want over-ear, preferably noise cancelling so that I can hear well without it being too loud. I use headphones now and then and it's mostly so that I won't disturb my surroundings OR so that I can concentrate when there's too much noise at work. I'm quite comfortable after all this time to measure what's too loud and not, but thanks for your concern. (And it's not even once a week I listen).

I think Greg was spot on right here.

It is up to you @Sven but remember I warned you. There are people in this forum that have noise induced tinnitus, the same as you and have used Overhead and Noise cancelling headphones and their tinnitus has got worse. I have had tinnitus a long time and corresponded with many people that have noise induced tinnitus, who have used headphones and their tinnitus becomes worse. It is true, some people with noise induced tinnitus are not affected but many people are.

The Member you have mentioned is on my ignore list so I don't see his comments. If I remember correctly his tinnitus was not Noise induced, but caused by an underlying medical problem within the ear.

I advise you again not to use any type headphones even at low volume.
Take care.
Michael

 

[Sven]

It is up to you @Sven but remember I warned you. There are people in this forum that have noise induced tinnitus, the same as you and have used Overhead and Noise cancelling headphones and their tinnitus has got worse. I have had tinnitus a long time and corresponded with many people that have noise induced tinnitus, who have used headphones and their tinnitus becomes worse. It is true, some people with noise induced tinnitus are not affected by many people are.

The Member you have mentioned is on my ignore list so I don't see his comments. If I remember correctly his tinnitus was not Noise induced, but caused by an underlying medical problem within the ear.

I advise you again not to use any type headphones even at low volume.
Take care.
Michael

Thank you.

Like I said it's not very often and sometimes it's talk radio I listen to, so they're not necessarily for music, should I buy any.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Thank you.

Like I said it's not very often and sometimes it's talk radio I listen to, so they're not necessarily for music, should I buy any.

It doesn't matter whether it's music, podcast or speech. You are taking a risk using headphones because your tinnitus is Noise induced. I counsel people with tinnitus. People have telephoned me crying because they are in distress because of headphones. I am not trying to frighten you I know what tinnitus can do so please be careful.

Take care
Michael

 

[linearb]

I like open backed cans more than closed, but my go-tos these days are Sony WH1000-MX3s, because they're wireless and pretty high fidelity and the noise cancelling means I can use them at an extremely low volume and still hear music or conference calls clearly.

I am on calls for work a lot and I do a bunch of audio beeps / music production dabbling, so I have done a lot of experimentation; my go-tos are the Sonys, and then Grado SR80s for corded open-backed.

 

[boliston]

i have got Sennheiser HD590 - had them a good 20 years and work well, I think they have been replaced with a new model now though.