Sleeping with Headphones: Safety, Benefits, and More

Co-authored by Alex Dimitriu, MD and Nihal Shetty

Last Updated: April 24, 2024 Fact Checked

Sleeping with headphones is something many people do every night, and for good reason. Listening to music can give us a better night’s sleep, and using headphones keeps you from disturbing other people with an external speaker. But is sleeping with headphones safe? Generally, yes. But it's important to follow safety precautions. Our complete guide will show you how to use headphones at night safely, give you in-depth reviews for all of our top headphone picks, and look at the benefits of sleeping with headphones.

Section 1 of 8:

Is sleeping with headphones safe?

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For the most part, yes, but there are some risks to be aware of. While all these risks can be managed by using properly-fitting headphones and keeping the volume at a moderate level, it’s a good idea to be aware of them. If you want to take a break from using headphones while sleeping and you’re not worried about disturbing other people, you can always use an external speaker. Some potential problems from sleeping with headphones include:
- Earwax build-up : Earbuds block the natural movement of wax outside the ear, so it’s best not to wear them too long, or wear over-the-ear headphones if you’re concerned about this. ^{[1]
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- Hearing loss : Listening to loud music for prolonged periods of time can damage your hearing. Try to limit your volume to 60% of its maximum to prevent hearing loss. ^{[2]
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- Pressure headaches : Some people may experience headaches with tight-fitting headphones that place pressure on their skull. Using a more comfortable pair can limit these symptoms. ^{[3]
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 Trustworthy Source
 PubMed Central
 Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
 Go to source}
- Necrosis : Ill-fitting headphones can damage the skin in your ear canal over time, which happens when there’s not enough blood flow to keep cells alive. Looser headphones can prevent this from happening. ^{[4]
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 Trustworthy Source
 Cleveland Clinic
 Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
 Go to source}
- Missing emergencies : Noise-cancelling headphones can keep you from hearing important calls, alarms, or warnings about emergencies. ^{[5]
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