Do you experience that slight whistling or buzzing in your ears? You might be suffering from tinnitus. This condition can appear, among other reasons, when regularly listening to loud music with conventional headphones. But can noise-canceling headphones cause the same problem? Can they relieve tinnitus? Or, on the contrary, make it worse? To answer these questions and many others, we have written this article to help you preserve your hearing while continuing to enjoy the tranquility offered by noise-canceling headphones, whether for listening to music, any audio content, or simply for silence.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus manifests as a whistling, buzzing, or humming sound, in other words, the perception of a sound (like a hissing) inside the ears. It is a common phenomenon that most people have experienced. That said, even if those who suffer from it often refer to tinnitus as a disease, it is actually a symptom revealing an underlying problem. The possible causes are numerous. Age-related hearing loss, circulatory disorders, or ear trauma can, for example, cause tinnitus. If, in a silent room with no one around you, you hear whistling in your ears, or if you perceive continuous sounds when no external source is producing them, it is indeed tinnitus. Consult your doctor to have your hearing checked and get an accurate diagnosis of the origin of your tinnitus.
How do noise-canceling headphones work?
Most of these headphones use advanced active noise cancellation technology to neutralize ambient sounds. In short, most noise-canceling headphones reduce ambient noise… with the help of another noise. This type of headphone can reduce all kinds of background sounds: the noise of an airplane engine, city traffic, or the rumble of a train. The principle is to generate a sound called "anti-noise" which neutralizes unwanted noise. Noise-canceling headphones incorporate audio processors capable of detecting a sound and then producing the exact inverse wave to counteract it. However, not all headphones use this active noise cancellation. Some models reduce external sounds through an insulating design related to the materials they are made of. There are three types of noise-canceling headphones:
Passive noise-canceling headphones
Active noise-canceling headphones
Adaptive noise-canceling headphones
These different types of noise-canceling headphones are often confused, yet they have significant differences, both in how they reduce external noise and in their intended use. Let's see what distinguishes them.
Passive Noise-Canceling Headphones
This is the most common type of noise-canceling headphone. They are generally referred to as isolating headphones. With this type of headphone, external noises are neutralized thanks to the physical characteristics of the product: the materials used, the shape, and the design. These elements block external sounds by preventing them from reaching the user's ears. If you have ever seen these large, bulky headphones, know that they are designed for sound insulation: they completely cover the ears and have extra padding to block ambient noise.
Active Noise-Canceling Headphones
While these headphones also use their design and shape to reduce external noise, they go a step further by using advanced technology to eliminate ambient noise. They embed a tiny audio processor capable of detecting and analyzing the sound signature of external noise, then canceling it by creating a mirrored anti-noise signal. The result: ambient noise disappears, for a much clearer sound.
Adaptive Noise-Canceling Headphones
This type of noise-canceling headphone is relatively new in the industry. Adaptive technology adjusts the power of the reduction based on the type and level of surrounding noise. The reduction is much stronger when background noise is high, and more subtle when it is low.
Can noise-canceling headphones worsen tinnitus?
There are a number of testimonials online linking noise-canceling headphones and tinnitus. However, no serious scientific study currently supports these claims. Many people report experiencing tinnitus after several months of using noise-canceling headphones, and claim that these strange sounds disappear as soon as they stop using them. These accounts are not scientific, but there are enough discussions on forums and in support groups to raise questions about a possible link. That said, the human brain is a fascinating machine, capable of picking up all kinds of background noise. And when it does, your ears adapt, most of the time without you realizing it.
For example, your home may be quiet when everyone is gone for the day: your brain will automatically filter out the slight hum of the air conditioning or the kitchen refrigerator. But as soon as you put on noise-canceling headphones, they dampen these sounds so well that if you wear them for a long time without listening to music, you end up feeling disoriented. This is why many people experience dizziness when first using them. To compensate, the brain emits a whistling sound to "test" the ears (a bit like a concert sound balance in your head). If you wear noise-canceling headphones in a quiet room, with active noise cancellation on, without playing any music or audio content, you will notice that you hear sounds in your home that you did not perceive before, and they quickly become very distracting.
First of all: can frequent use of noise-canceling headphones cause tinnitus?
When tinnitus appears, it is most often because you have been exposed to loud sounds or because you have some hearing loss. Is your headset responsible for this? It is very possible, especially if you use it regularly to listen to music at high volume. The louder and longer you listen (with conventional headphones or noise-canceling headphones), the greater the risk of hearing loss. Ask an audiologist: they will explain that the problem does not come from the earbuds or the headphones themselves, but from the volume at which you listen. Even in short bursts, loud sounds can cause considerable damage to your hearing. If you develop tinnitus, it is probably because you are listening for too long and too loudly, regardless of the type of headphones used. Any headphones will eventually damage your hearing if you neglect the necessary precautions. How to best enjoy noise-canceling headphones without damaging your ears? We will see that in a moment.
Excessive exposure to loud noises can cause hearing loss
For decades, tinnitus was much more common in older people (i.e., from age 55). Indeed, with age, hearing loss sometimes sets in. And when hearing loss begins, tinnitus follows. Today, however, with the craze for headphones, young and middle-aged adults are constantly exposed to loud sounds, leading to hearing loss in increasingly younger age groups. That said, headphones are not the only cause. For young people, the world is simply noisier. Sports classes are noisier. Clubs are noisier. Concerts too. This constant exposure to loud sounds is the daily life of younger generations. However, when powerful sounds are continuously projected into your ears, the structure of your inner ear can be quickly affected.
Thus, the American Osteopathic Association indicates that one in five young adults suffers from hearing loss, which is 30% more than a few decades ago (from the 1980s to the 1990s). A study by the World Health Organization also shows that approximately 1.1 billion young adults are at risk of hearing loss because they constantly listen to audio content at high volume on their devices and frequent noisy places. Audiologists also observe an increase in consultations among young patients and point to headphones as the primary cause. However, it is not the headphones that are the problem, but how they are used. A few years ago, headphones were far from as widespread as they are today. Another point to keep in mind: many users of conventional headphones, which are not very insulating at low volume, turn up the sound to cover surrounding noises that interfere with their listening. This is precisely why so many people are turning to noise-canceling headphones: they allow you to enjoy the sound you want to hear without having to turn up the volume to mask the environment.
It is therefore obvious that wearing headphones and listening at high volume for long periods eventually degrades hearing. And hearing loss is an underlying cause of tinnitus. This tinnitus can sometimes be temporary if exposure to loud noise was brief, for example after a concert. It can also occur after listening at high volume with headphones, then decrease or disappear after a certain time. But in all cases, it is accompanied by permanent damage to the hair cells in your ears. These cells control your hearing ability: if they are damaged, your hearing decreases. The process is not immediate: these cells are damaged over time and hearing loss gradually sets in. It is not sudden radio silence. Research is currently being conducted on the possibility of regrowing these hair cells. In any case, it is better to focus on protecting your ears, by using your noise-canceling headphones only at recommended volumes. By limiting the frequency, duration, and volume of your headphone listening, you protect your ears while enjoying a great sound experience. The harmful effects of noise exposure depend on the frequency, duration, and intensity of listening. The general rule is that it is not safe to listen to sounds at 85 decibels for more than 8 hours a day. This sound level corresponds approximately to city traffic. If you go up to 100 decibels (as at a metal concert), you can damage your hearing in just 15 minutes of headphone listening.
So what is the recommendation for both noise-canceling and other headphones? Limit each listening session to a maximum of one hour, then take an hour break. The goal: to let your ears rest.
How to avoid common headphone mistakes?
Whether you use in-ear headphones, noise-canceling headphones, or conventional headphones, all types of headphones can lead to hearing loss if used improperly. And this applies to both cheap and high-end models: it makes no difference. Here are some tips to preserve your hearing while continuing to enjoy listening.
Use noise-canceling headphones in noisy environments
With conventional headphones in a noisy environment, you have to turn up the volume very high to hear what you are listening to. Noise-canceling headphones, on the other hand, compensate for ambient noise. So you no longer have to fiddle with the volume every time the ambient noise increases.
Monitor volume and duration
A good rule of thumb is to keep the volume around 60% of the maximum and not exceed 90 minutes of listening per day. Keeping track of time can be difficult, especially when you're engrossed in what you're listening to, but some noise-canceling headphone models include features that indicate at what volume and for how long you've been listening. This makes it easy to adjust the volume to a safe level for your hearing.
Use both earbuds at once
Headphones are designed to work like your ears: both sides work together to create a unified sound. If you only use one (for example, to share with a colleague on public transport), the sound will seem less loud. And by turning up the volume to hear better, you will expose only one ear to a harmful sound level.
Avoid headphones when you need to remain fully attentive
Even though it is common to listen to music with headphones while running or cycling, it is recommended to refrain from doing so, for reasons beyond hearing loss. Unless you are safely using stationary exercise equipment, not hearing what is going on around you is very dangerous, especially when jogging. It goes without saying, but also avoid wearing headphones while driving. Besides being illegal—and for good reason—you need to hear everything around you and remain vigilant to drive safely. Opt for headphones that allow you to perceive external noises while listening.
How to prevent tinnitus when using noise-canceling headphones
To prevent tinnitus, there's no need to give up headphones, of any kind, including noise-canceling ones. You just need to keep in mind that anything you place in or on your ears to listen to sound must be used with the necessary precautions to protect your ears from exposure to loud sounds. To do this:
Reduce exposure time to loud noises
This doesn't just apply to your noise-canceling headphones. When you attend a concert or turn up your stereo, try to keep these moments to a minimum. And avoid, as much as possible, regularly exposing your ears to any other form of loud noise.
Take regular breaks away from noise
Sometimes it's impossible to avoid significant noise exposure. In such cases, be sure to take breaks to allow your ears time to recover.
Protect yourself from noise
If you have to be in a noisy environment—whether at a concert or because your job requires you to work near loud machinery—you can protect your ears by wearing hearing protection that will reduce your exposure to harmful sounds. Earplugs are an excellent option in this type of situation: some models attenuate noise in a balanced way, allowing you to continue hearing it without damaging your ears. What does this have to do with noise-canceling headphones? If your ears are regularly exposed to loud noises, just one hour of headphone use can lead to tinnitus, because the damage is already largely done.
Limit your alcohol consumption
Alcohol makes the hair cells in your ears more vulnerable to damage from loud sounds. The same goes for dehydration. So if you're at a party or event where you're dancing to loud music, remember to alternate alcoholic beverages with plenty of water.
Set a volume and duration limit when using your noise-canceling headphones
When using your noise-canceling headphones, take the necessary precautions by limiting listening duration and controlling the volume at which you listen. In-ear headphones generally produce an audio signal that can be increased by 9 decibels: so prefer over-ear headphones that cover the ears. And while listening, stay at 60% of the maximum volume and limit yourself to one hour per day. If this is not feasible, take breaks and listen every other hour. Noise-canceling headphones remain the best option, as they allow for much longer listening at lower sound levels.
Consult a doctor
Paying attention to your ear health is essential. If you are regularly exposed to loud noises—via your noise-canceling headphones, at your workplace, or due to your lifestyle—and especially if you notice symptoms of tinnitus, make an appointment with your doctor to have your ears checked.
Can noise-canceling headphones relieve your tinnitus?
Since loud sounds can trigger tinnitus, affected individuals can use noise-canceling headphones to mitigate episodes that might occur later in the day. Some people fly and have to endure the continuous noise of jet engines. By eliminating this intense ambient noise, they prevent tinnitus from becoming too pronounced afterward. Noise-canceling headphones can therefore be seen as a preventive measure for tinnitus. This may or may not work for you. When using noise-canceling headphones to prevent tinnitus related to noise exposure, it is advisable to listen to audio content. Indeed, simply putting on noise-canceling headphones can make the resulting silence very uncomfortable, and even amplify the perception of tinnitus. Most tinnitus patients report that the condition is easier to bear when they hear audio content or background noise: phantom sounds are indeed difficult to ignore if no ambient noise passes through the noise-canceling headphones.
Are headphones recommended for tinnitus sufferers?
You can definitely use noise-cancelling headphones if you suffer from tinnitus: specialists themselves recommend wearing headphones. However, it is best to seek medical advice on the type of headphones to choose. That said, tinnitus forums are full of testimonials from people explaining how they manage their tinnitus while listening to the music and content they love. Furthermore, as we have just seen, noise-cancelling headphones can mitigate the effects of tinnitus by reducing exposure to loud noises responsible for subsequent episodes. They can also prevent certain underlying causes of tinnitus, such as hearing loss, by preventing the user from having to turn up the volume.
Conclusion
The conclusion is simple: do noise-cancelling headphones relieve or cause tinnitus? It all depends on how they are used. If you want to protect your hearing, noise-cancelling headphones are a good choice: they offer clear sound without having to turn up the volume to cover all ambient noise, knowing that loud sounds can cause tinnitus. However, making the mistake of using noise-cancelling headphones to listen to very loud music for long periods will damage your ears. But if you use them not only to listen to sound, but also to protect your ears from ambient noise and prevent tinnitus from appearing later in the day, then noise-cancelling headphones are an excellent ally for preventing and relieving tinnitus. Ultimately, it all comes down to how and when you use them: this is how it is decided whether your noise-cancelling headphones are beneficial or harmful to your ears.
