Wired Earbuds V.S. Over-Ear Headphones: What's the Contrast Health-Wise?

Lilliana Diaz
May 29
2 min read

Intro:

Have you ever had a day where you wanted to block everyone out? “Just come on, let me go home and rest already.” Well I and many others have. Actually not only one day, but a whole bunch of them. And one thing I must have to get through the day is music. Whether that’d be Rabbitology, The Bridge Sinners, or Flailing Idiot. Although specifically music blasting in my headphones or earbuds, so much so that the whole world goes kind of mute. But if headphones and earbuds have the same function and effect, why are we told to wear headphones more compared to earbuds?

Over-ear Headphones: a Breakdown

Wired headphones without noise cancellation are analogue designs. Therefore power or digital processing isn’t necessary, and that the electrical current through the cable is all that is required to have them work. The speaker driver inside the headphones which contain a diaphragm causes the audio signal to pass through a voice coil. This then therefore causes the diaphragm to vibrate rapidly, which then is the music that you receive. Meaning that headphones are simply passive speakers for your head.

Wired earbuds: a Breakdown

Wired earbuds would work like tiny speakers placed directly into your ear canal. This is by transmitting audio signals through the cable that is connected to your device. They are then made with dynamic drivers that then change electrical signals into soundwaves. Where the comfortable tip then therefore shares the sound quality directly into your ears.

Over-ear Headphones V.S. Wired Earbuds?

So, the real question is how do wired earbuds affect someone's health compared to over-ear headphones? Well first, due to the fact that earbuds are sealed in an ear canal, the individual may be exposed to decibels at higher levels. Whilst otherwise, over-ear headphones may cause your ears to feel warm. Whilst inserting in-ear headphones would cause entry points for bacteria and blocking airflow. Therefore trapping a significant more amount of moisture that may lead to conditions such as swimmer's ear. Thus, over-ear headphones are a more healthier alternative compared to wired earbuds.