Looking for the Perfect Headphones? Listen to This Expert’s Advice
The pursuit for headphones is an ever-evolving one as new technologies enter the consumer space every day. While the choices can be overwhelming if you don’t know what to look for, experts have a clear answer as to what’s king for your hearing.
What fit should I look for?
According to Dr. Leslie Peterson Soiles, Chief Audiologist at HearingLife, over-the-ear headphones are the safest to preserve your hearing in the long-term. Start with brands such as Sony or Bose for premium, over-the-ear solutions.
Is noise cancellation safe?
According to Dr. Soiles, safe volume levels should always fall below 85 decibels and from there, ideal noise canceling headphones would effectively reduce the ambient noise without over-amplifying sounds. “Most high-quality models provide noise reduction of 20 to 30 decibels, which is sufficient to block out background noise without causing excessive pressure on the ears,” said Dr. Soiles. As with any headphones, it’s important to keep volume at a safe listening level to avoid any damage, which could affect your hearing long-term.
Why over-ear headphones?
Long-term hearing is most effectively preserved when using over-ear headphones because of the pattern of movement in the longitudinal sound waves. Over-ear headphones will distribute sound around the ear, allowing absorption into soft tissue while in-ear headphones will direct sound into the ear canal, which can lead to excessive sound exposure. If you’re someone who prefers in-ear headphones, you should take intermittent breaks to prevent ear fatigue and potential hearing damage.
What’s the difference between over-ear and on-ear?
On-ear headphones present parts of the same issue as in-ear headphones as those sound waves have very little room to go aside from directly into the ear canal. Over-ear headphones encapsulate the entirety of the ear while on-ear headphones are sitting directly over the earlobe, pinna and other soft tissue of the outer ear.
What’s best for me?
Ultimately, it will come down to user preferences when deciding upon the best headphones to fit one’s lifestyle. For those who are more active, you may see the value add in in-ear headphones. If you’re looking for that ultra-focused environment to work while listening to music, over-ear is your bread and butter. Regardless of your preference, it’s important to take those intermittent breaks to protect your hearing.
