You dont have to have an ear for music to have a pair of headphones that better protects your hearing. Whether you wear headphones during the workday or at the gym, you want to be smart about the style and the volume, according to Sandra Honeycutt , a board-certified physician assistant at BergerHenry ENT specialty group in Philadelphia. (ENT references an Ear, Nose and Throat medical professional, by the way.)
It is well documented that prolonged exposure to loud sounds damages the hair cells in the inner ear, which are crucial for hearing, Honeycutt told HuffPost. Once these cells are damaged, they are unable to regenerate which causes permanent hearing loss.
According to Honeycutt, while the otolaryngology academy/associations dont endorse specific audio brands, The best style of headphones would be over-ear and on-ear headphones, as these will seal off the ear better allowing for the reduction of ambient noise. This overall reduction limits the risk of hearing damage as the volume from headphones is not competing with background sounds.
Honeycutt describes that in-ear headphones or earbuds sit closer to the ear drum and are less effective at canceling out background noise, meaning youll likely turn your listening volume higher.
Regardless of what headphones you go with, Honeycutt recommends following the 60/60 rule only using headphones for 60 minutes at a time and keeping the volume on your phone or device at no more than 60% of the max.
After each hour, take a break for at least 10 minutes to allow your ears to recover, Honeycutt said. And consider turning on the Hearing Notifications feature, if you have an iPhone, this will alert you if your audio exposure has been loud enough for long enough.
Dr. Guy Talmor, MD , an ENT and Allergy Associates in West Nyack, NY says the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules for sound exposure are also helpful to consider, regardless of your occupation. In simplest terms, the rules say the louder the sound, the shorter you should be listening to it.
If [headphones] are set to 85 decibels or less and not used for exceedingly long durations, the likelihood of noise-induced hearing loss will drop, he said. For reference, a typical conversation is held at around 55-60dB, while a sound level of 85dB typically corresponds to heavy street traffic or a loud device such as a blender.
To help you find your next set of headphones, the experts gave us some great suggestions and advice.
HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change. The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
For adults:
When shopping for a set of headphones, Honeycutt says you want to consider something comfortable, with active noise cancellation and ideally volume-limiting (though that is often more present in children's options, which you'll see below.) "Active noise canceling technology allows you to listen at lower volumes as it blocks out the background noise," she said. "This feature can decrease the risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus."
Just under $100, Honeycutt recommends Sony headphones, like these noise-canceling ones with a ton of 5-star reviews. They're made with an integrated processor and Digital Sound Enhancement Engine for crips and balanced sound, which can be personalized further via the EQ settings on the Connect app. The battery can go for up to 35 hours, with cushioned cups that fit around your ears. Control them via the buttons on the headphones or with voice control, and enjoy the precise voice pickup, wind-noise reduction and beamforming mic that keeps you clear as you speak on the go.
Bose is a big name in the audio world and it's little surprise it comes recommended by Honeycutt. A splurgy option, we like is these QuietComfort Bluetooth headphones which offer superior noise canceling plus a transparency mode that lets the outside world in. High-fidelity audio and an adjustable EQ lets you perfect the bass, mid-range and treble to your liking. Use them with the included AUX wire or not, as a charge gives you 24 hours of listening, though a quick 15-minute charge will give you 2.5 hours of playtime.
They even come with a multi-point toggle feature that lets you seamlessly move between your devices without missing a beat or needing to reconnect. Lastly, they have super plus ear cushions that keep the sound up off of your eardrums and feel comfortable to wear.
Sennheiser is another Honeycutt-prefered brand, which, while not a budget piece, are made with incredible quality. While she didn't give us a specific style, we like these Momentum 4 wireless headphones that offer up to 60 hours of battery life and totally personalized sound from the Sennheiser Smart Control App. These offer both active noise canceling and transparency modes, letting you choose how immersed you want to be, with a built-in microphone for taking calls. The padded headband and extra cushioned cups are light on the ears and comfortable for long-term wear. As Dr. Talmor says, you want to make sure the fit feels good, as the wrong headphones "[c]an be irritating to the external auditory canal."
Taking the expert's advice into consideration, we like this budget-friendly, editor's pick of the Tozo noise-canceling over ear headphones . Tozo makes really high-quality, affordable headphones and earbuds some even waterproof options. This over-ear set comes in a bunch of colors, with active noise-canceling and up to 60 hours of listening time between charges. Use them wireless with Bluetooth or with the attached 3.5-millimeter audio cable and enjoy the cushion deep cups that feel comfortable around the ear. Clip the coupon for 20% off.
For kids:
According to Honeycutt, some headphones have built-in safety features, like volume-limiting to prevent hearing damage. "The main purpose of volume-limiting headphones is to protect users, particularly children, from long-term hearing damage or tinnitus caused by loud noise," Honeycutt said. "Volume limiting will cap the maximum volume levels using its internal limiters and automatic adjusters to keep users listening at 85dB or lower."
If you're looking for safer headphones for kids, Honeycutt recommends the JLab JBuddies, made with volume regulators that top the sound at 85db. This AUX wired option never needs to be charged and offers adjustable earcups for a good fit.
Another children's option from Honeycutt, this wireless set from BuddyPhones has up to 20 hours of playtime between charges and comes with a selection of stickers to personalize the outside. Ideal for remote school or learning at home, these have a built-in microphone, can be linked to other BuddyPhones headphones and offer the brand's patented "StudyMode" technology that aims to isolate voices from noise, helping your littles get clearer vocals while listening to lessons. Note: these headphones give you three options of maximum sound, 75, 85 and 94 dB, but you can set them to max out at 85, as Honeycutt and Talmor recommend.
Honeycutt also recommends this kid's option from Puro Sound , which maxes out at 85dB. They're designed to isolate the sound coming from the headphones, limiting exterior sounds and easily fold into themselves for packing and carrying. The design offers an AUX wire and comes in a bunch of fun colors.
Lastly, Honeycutt recommends this set from Puro Sound Labs , which has an active noise-canceling switch, that can make background noise up to 22 dB quieter. This option maxes out at 85 dB, meaning you can't overdo it even if you want to. Enjoy them wirelessly for up to 35 hours of playtime (23 hours with active noise canceling), with a built-in microphone and one-touch Bluetooth pairing that gives you a 30-foot range from your device.
If youre still shopping, check out some of Amazons highest-rated noise-canceling over-ear headphones , previously rounded up by former writer Kristen Adaway:
Fully customize your music listening experience with these Bose headphones that offer full noise cancellation. You can set the bass, mid-range and treble levels to your preference and essentially create your own concert. They offer up to 24 hours of battery life.
Promising review: "I needed noise cancelling headphone for when I go into the office as it can be noisy there & it is hard to concentrate. So when I wear these headphones I dont hear anything! And they really keep the charge for a long time which is terrific! And they are very comfortable to wear. And they come with a great case that is very portable for traveling. Highly recommend!" tvgirl
With active noise cancellation, high quality sound, strong bass and a whopping 40-hour playtime on a single charge, these headphones are a great budget option for wireless listening. They come in blue, black and silver.
Promising review: "The sound is very clean and deep. It had extra bass if you like it and the noise canceling is amazing. I am impressed by the quality of sound and the price. Dont think twice and get them. The headphones themselves are great made and good quality. They are also very comfortable around the ears with that super soft memory foam. I have buds but after a while they slide of my ear and make it sore so this is a much better choice." Sara
These surprisingly stylish headphones feature active noise cancellation, spatial audio and memory foam ear cushions for a comfortable fit. They come in green, pink, silver, gray or blue.
Promising review: "Love these headphones, the buds never fit in my ears properly so these over the ear are my favorite. I fly a few times a week for work and these are the best headphones on the plane. I never realized how loud the plane was until I turned the noise cancellation off mid flight just to see if it actually worked." Jackie Griffith
Score: 4.6 out of 5 stars
These wireless Sony headphones have dual noise sensor technology, which uses two microphones on both earcups to capture ambient noise. You can use the touch sensors on these headphones to control music playback and take calls. With up to 30 hours of battery life and a feature that pauses your music when you remove them from your ears, these headphones will instantly become your new favorites.
Promising review: "Im very picky with headphones and I can never find any that dont hurt my ears and head but THESE are amazing. The noise cancelling helps to isolate any noise and even without hearing anything they are perfect for people with anxiety. It really helps to concentrate even to sleep in. I love them and are worth the money." SkylarG
Available in several colors including black, blue, red and white, these Beats wireless headphones offer noise cancellation and up to 22 hours of battery life. They even come with a carrying case so you can take them on the go to make calls, control music and use Siri.
Promising review: "I work in manufacturing and all other headphones or ear buds I have purchased didn't cancel out the loud machines. These headphones are amazing! The sound quality is great! Even sounds wonderful on a low volume so I can hear my music and the people around me. They are also very comfortable! They surround my ear instead of sitting on top and smashing them! Highly recommended!" Kim
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