How To Sleep With Headphones Without Breaking Them?

If you want to sleep while listening to music with your headphones on, here’s what you need to know.

As we grow older, sleep becomes more precious to us. At the same time, deep, satisfying sleep becomes harder and harder to come by.

The best remedy for this modern-day problem is to sleep with headphones on. It’s a great way to relax before going to sleep without disturbing others who are in the same bed as you.

The only problem is that most headphones are bulky and not designed to be worn while sleeping. Within a few hours, you may find yourself tearing the headphones off your head because the headphones feel confining. You wake up the next morning with a stiff neck because you can’t sleep on your side.

It’s okay.

There are several ways to wear your headphones in bed without feeling like you slept on a rock last night.

Find out how to sleep with headphones comfortably by reading on.

How Can Headphones Improve Your Sleep?

Is it possible to sleep with headphones on? Yes, you can wear headphones and still get a good night’s sleep.

Listening to music while you are going to sleep can provide a range of health benefits, including:

Relaxation:

Studies have shown that listening to the right kind of music induces a relaxation response in your body. Slowing your breathing and heart rate allows you to let go of the stresses of the day and fall fast into a deep sleep. Even patients suffering from insomnia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can benefit from it.

Release of Dopamine:

Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with happiness, is released when we listen to music. Your brain releases dopamine when you eat good food or reach a goal. Even when you watch an ASMR video, your brain releases dopamine when you listen to anything you like. As a result of this natural chemical, you feel more relaxed and can sleep better.

Noise Free Environment:

Sleeping with headphones or earbuds can block out loud and excessive sounds that keep you awake at night. A good pair of earplugs should be able to block out traffic noise if you live in the city, the sounds of partying neighbors, or your partner snoring like a sailor next to you.

How To Sleep With Headphones Without Breaking Them?

Sleeping with headphones on can be more comfortable if you follow a few tips.

Get a pillow that makes listening to headphones easier

If you’ve ever tried sleeping with headphones on for eight hours, you know how uncomfortable it can be.

Pillows weren’t designed to house cumbersome devices like headphones. You can get a feeling of discomfort when they press against the earcups, which, in turn, press against your ears.

Further, the additional pressure on the headphones can cause the electronics to break down.

Fortunately, some pillows can help make sleeping and listening more enjoyable.

Original Hole Pillow

Originally, this pillow was designed to relieve ear pain after ear surgery or for people who have discomfort in their ears.

As indicated by its name, The Original Pillow With a Hole has a 4-inch x 4-inch hole in the middle to allow one of the earcups to fit through.

As a side sleeper, it’s great because it relieves pressure from the earcup pressing against the pillow.

It also has a zip that lets you add or remove stuffing to make it softer or firmer based on your preferences.

Travel Pillow

Pillows are the best friends of people on the go.

By using it, you can relieve pressure on your headphones in two different ways. The first is when you sleep upright or while sitting down, and the second is when you sleep on your side.

You lose control of your neck when you sleep during a flight or road trip. Because of this, your head sways in every direction, and even the weight of the headphones adds to this motion.

You can rest your chin and jawline on travel pillows as they snugly fit around your neck. You won’t experience any pressure while sleeping since it won’t come in contact with your headphones.

Use a travel pillow as a pillow for sleeping on your side to relieve pressure on your headphones. The travel pillow also has a crater where you could easily slot your headphones, just like the pillow with a hole.

Sleeping on your side and wearing headphones is a great innovation.

Headphones for better Sleep

Several manufacturers have finally recognized the need for sleep headphones and are responding.

Typically, these headphones are stable and don’t protrude from the ear, so when you turn your head to the side, nothing is pressing against you.

In this category of headphones, there are a few types.

Headband headphones

There are two ultra-slim, padded speakers inserted into these headbands that look like regular sports headbands made out of fabric. It is possible to wash the fabric, but be sure to remove the speakers first.

Some popular brands include:

Sleep Headphones

Sleep Headphones headbands are extremely soft and lightweight. They are made of durable braid cord and offer a breathable mesh lining that stretches to fit all head sizes. The Bluetooth headphones are washable, just take out the speakers and clean the band.

CozyPhones 

The headbands have a contoured design that conforms to the shape of your head. They also serve as an eye mask to block out light. CozyPhones are available for both adults and children.

Jarvania 

Jarvania offers sleep headphones that you can use while exercising as well. During your workout, you can make hands-free calls thanks to the built-in mic.

Low-profile earphones

Earphones with low-profile tips are usually made of soft silicone that follows the contours of your ears so you barely feel them. They are designed especially for people who want to sleep with headphones on.

Some popular brands include:

Bedphones by Moonbow 

With earcups that are 1/4 inches thick and sit flat on your ears, these are on-ear headphones. Memory wires coated with rubber conform to the shape of your outer ears, allowing you to adjust the headphones for maximum comfort.

QuietOn Sleep Earphones 

Featuring active noise-canceling technology, these earphones block out low-frequency sounds like snoring and city traffic. To accommodate different ear sizes, ear tips are also available in small and medium sizes.

Moondrop Kanas Pro 

If you want to keep your earphones in while sleeping, get this pair. Moondrop’s Kanas Pro has an over-the-ear memory cable that can be adjusted to fit snugly over your outer ears. Moreover, it comes with soft, light ear tips in various sizes so that you can choose the right fit for your ears.

Using true wireless headphones

Is it possible to sleep with wireless headphones on? Yes, but truly wireless earbuds are more comfortable.

There are no cables to get tangled up in, and they fit snugly in your ears. Some models have active noise-canceling, so you can block out sounds that prevent you from sleeping.

These headphones have small batteries squeezed into the tiny space inside the earbuds because they are so small. As a result, you have to compromise on battery life.

You can listen to the most decent headphones for up to three hours nonstop. Battery life can be extended by some more expensive ones to five to six hours.

If you only need to listen to music to fall asleep, that shouldn’t be an issue. You may not be able to fall asleep without music, however, if truly wireless headphones are not for you.

Alternate your sleeping position

Many people don’t give this a try because they’ve been sleeping in the same manner for the majority of their lives.

When wearing headphones to sleep, it may be helpful to try varying your sleep position if you don’t want to buy a new pair.

You can wear headphones in bed most comfortably while lying on your back since you’re not putting pressure on your ears.

You might consider getting a side sleeping pillow if you are a side sleeper.

Also, Read How to keep Headphones from Breaking

What are the Advantages of Sleeping with Headphones On?

The psychological benefits of listening to music while sleeping are well known. Overall, it makes you feel calm and relaxed so you can get a good night’s sleep.

Blocks out loud, irritating, or excessive noise

Occasionally, you live somewhere that is just downright noisy.

You may live in the city, which is constantly interrupted by traffic sounds or even construction noises at night. There may be rowdy neighbors or housemates who like to party all night long or practice music with their band. Or maybe your spouse snores loudly even though you live in a peaceful suburb.

If you cannot sleep due to sounds like these, get a good set of headphones.

Relax with your favorite music and media

People can fall asleep more easily by listening to relaxing sounds. Studies have shown that when people listen to relaxing music 45 minutes before bedtime they fall asleep faster, sleep longer, and wake up less during the night. Getting your mind off things by listening to podcasts, audiobooks, ASMR videos, or other media that you enjoy can also benefit you.

Enhances your psychological, mental, and emotional well-being

Music therapy has been proven as a reliable method of coping with mental health difficulties by science.

According to this study, listening to music helps regulate your autonomic nervous system, which helps you recover from stressful events more quickly.

In addition to improving sleep quality and reducing symptoms of PTSD, it has also been shown to help depression patients with insomnia.

Music is also associated with the production of dopamine, the brain chemical responsible for feelings of reward. Hence, listening to music feels rewarding.

What are the Disadvantages of Sleeping with Headphones On?

If you sleep with headphones, be aware that there are dangers. Headphones can cause the following problems, which range from mild to severe, if you don’t wear them properly or if you use them too much:

Plaque of wax

Since the seal prevents air from flowing properly inside the ear, earphones can cause hard wax to build up. Hardened wax can result in temporary hearing loss and even permanent damage if left unattended.

Otitis externa

Otitis externa, or swimmer’s ear, is a painful infection caused by exposure to excessive moisture in the ear.

The skin of the ear canal can deteriorate if earphones are worn for an extended time. This results in the ear losing its ability to keep out water and other fluids. A large amount of moisture can also prevent the ear from producing ear wax, which serves as a natural barrier against microbes living inside the ear canal.

There can be pain, redness, swelling, and itching in the ear. There may also be a discharge of pus or fluid. Once the infection has been treated, some patients experience diminished hearing.

Untreated otitis externa can result in serious health problems. When you suspect external otitis, you should always visit a medical professional.

Cell death, or necrosis

When a tissue cell dies permanently, it is known as necrosis.

While it’s unlikely, it does have a chance of happening. When headphones are worn too often, they can cause infection or trauma which may eventually result in necrosis.

Hearing loss may occur as a result of this. This can also result in the ear being amputated or having parts of it removed in the worst cases.

Headphone cord strangulation

Although you have a slim chance of being strangled by headphone wires while you sleep, it is still possible. If you sleep with wired headphones or are a rough sleeper, this is more likely to occur.

If your oxygen supply is cut off by the strangulation, you could pass out in your sleep. It is best to use wireless headphones to eliminate this risk.

Music-induced hearing loss

It is possible to accidentally raise the volume while sleeping with headphones on. You can permanently damage your ears if you listen to loud music for too long.

The maximum volume of most headphones is 85 to 110 decibels. Over eight hours, listening to sounds worth 85 decibels and higher is considered too loud by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

If the listener does not wear hearing protection, it is equivalent to the sound of lawnmowers and leaf blowers.

Keep headphones at 60% volume for best results. If you listen to anything louder than that, you may develop hearing problems in the future.

Conclusion

The importance of sound and music in our lives cannot be overstated. Since the first instruments were made from bird bone, our ancestors made and listened to music. After forty thousand years, we continue to discover new ways music can improve our lives.

It doesn’t just help you sleep better for one night when you listen to your favorite music with headphones. This makes you a healthier, happier person in the long run by reducing stress.

Interested in getting your first headphones to aid in sleep, but aren’t sure where to begin? Visit our comprehensive guide to learn how to choose the best sleep headphones, along with the best models on the market.

How do you feel about the options we’ve provided? Are you able to sleep comfortably with headphones on? What other tricks, tips, or product recommendations can you share with our readers to make sleeping with headphones easier? Do let us know in the comments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)