Listening to your favorite tunes over headphones rather than speakers offers numerous benefits. First, headphones are portable, allowing you to carry them wherever your travels take you.
Besides, the sound quality is far superior to traditional audio systems. Some headphones have the Active Noise Canceling (ANC) feature, which blocks external noises and guarantees an immersive audio experience.
If you’re like me, I often wear my headphones wherever I go. However, I’ve recently noticed a crease on my scalp, which left me wondering if my headphones were the culprit.
This concern brings us to the big question, can headphones change the shape of your head? Let’s separate myths from facts.
Key Takeaways
- Headphones cannot change the shape of your head. The skull is rigid and can withstand extensive force or pressure without deforming or changing shape.
- While headphones cannot dent your head, extended use can cause problems like temporary hearing loss and blocked Eustachian tubes. Taking breaks and playing audio at low volumes can resolve the issue.
- If your headphones are feeling tight or uncomfortable, adjust the clamping force. Quality headphones are adjustable for optimal comfort and the perfect fit.
- Wearing tight headphones can tangle your hair or crease your skin. As such, consider wearing a cap or beanie under your headphones to reduce the pressure on your hair and skin.
Risks of Wearing Headphones and Listening to Music at High Volumes
Can Headphones Dent Your Head?
Headphones cannot dent your head. After all, your skull comprises rigid cranial and facial bones that can withstand excessive pressure, hence protecting the brain, eyes, cheeks, jaw, and nose.
Since your headphones’ clamping force is insufficient to change the shape of your head, any physical dents might indicate an underlying medical condition.
The worse your headphones can do is crease your scalp or tangle your hair. Moreover, hair tangles and creases on your skin are only possible with prolonged use of your headphones.
Can Headphones Deform Your Ear Lobes?
Even with prolonged use, wearing headphones cannot deform or dent your ear lobes. However, the outer ear lobes of a child below seven years can change since their ears are not yet fully developed. Considering this, do not allow young kids to wear headsets until they are at least eight years old.
The worst headphones can do to your ears is cause discomfort and temporary hearing loss. For instance, wearing headphones for prolonged periods at high volumes can lead to wax buildup in the inner ear, causing hearing loss. You may also experience some discomfort if the headphones are too tight.
How to Reduce Headphone Discomfort?
Wearing tight headphones cannot change the shape of your head. However, they can leave you with an unpleasant experience, especially when using them for extended periods. They could leave your ears sore, cause headaches, block your eardrums, and cause discomfort.
Fortunately, most headphones have an adjustable mechanism, allowing you to change the position of the headband to reduce exerted pressure. Here are a few tips to make your headphones more comfortable:
Pick the Right Fit
You can reduce the pressure on your head by picking the right headphones. Quality headphones are adjustable, allowing you to increase or decrease the clamping force accordingly. Look for headphones with adjustable earcups and headbands for optimal comfort.
Adjust the Headband
Do not exert undue pressure on your head or ears. When fitting headphones, adjust the headband to fit the shape of your head. Ensure each earcup or earpad sits on your ears in line with your eardrums.
Increase the Padding
Premium headphones have padded ear cushions and headbands. However, the padding might be thin and not provide the desired comfort. The good news is you can increase the padding by adding more cushioning. You can purchase thick replacement cushions or use homemade materials.
Ear Pad Buying Guide
Replace the Ear Pads
Wearing headsets with damaged or worn-out earpads can be uncomfortable. This is why most manufacturers recommend replacing the ear pads every six months.
How to Replace Headphone Ear Pads?
Take Periodic Breaks
Wearing headphones for extended periods can cause ear problems. Overuse can lead to wax buildup, blocking your inner ear and causing temporary hearing loss. Some people even experience headaches or become dizzy after prolonged use.
TAKING PERIODIC BREAKS every hour can help improve your experience.
You should take periodic breaks to improve comfort
Play at Moderate Volumes
Playing audio at high volumes is terrible for your ears and your headphones. You might enjoy your favorite tunes for a while, but prolonged listening times can lead to permanent ear damage. High volume also causes your headphones’ battery to drain faster.
Keep the audio level in check, or use noise-canceling headphones to block external noises for a better and more comfortable listening experience.
Can Headphone Use Cause Hearing Damage or Hearing Loss?
Wear Headphones Correctly
Wearing headphones is not as easy as fitting them over your head. Many people get it wrong, ending up complaining about the discomfort. I have explained how to wear headphones correctly in the subsequent sections.
Ways to Reduce Clamping Force on Headphones
Preventing Hair Dents and Skin Creases from Headphones
While headphones cannot dent your head, they can tangle your hair or crease your skin. Creases on your scalp and flattened hair can be a concern for many. Fortunately, you can reduce the risks using the following tips:
Wear a Cap or Beanie Under the Headphones
The headband on your headphones can tangle your hairdo or leave an impression on your scalp. Wearing a cap or beanie under your headphones creates a barrier, helping reduce the pressure on your hair and skin.
Use Loose Headphones
Consider using loose headphones to leave your scalp or hair untouched. Adjust the clamping force to loosen your headset. However, do not overdo it since the loose headphones might rest their weight on your head, making this strategy ineffective.
Move the Headband to the Back
The headband should primarily rest at the top of your head to ensure the earcups align with your eardrums. However, leaving it in that position can exert pressure on your skull. To avoid this problem, wear the headphones from behind your head and move the headband back to prevent hair dents.
Wet Your Hair
Wetting your hair will not prevent it from tangling or denting. However, this strategy will help to remove the knots and dents easier. If you have long hair, you can tie it up into a ponytail.
Wearing Headphones Correctly
Wearing headphones is not as straightforward as putting them on your head. There’s more to it to ensure a comfortable experience.
First, you must identify which earcup goes over which ear. Most earcups have letter engravings that indicate which ear the earpad should sit on.
Thereafter, follow these steps:
- Put the headphones on your head.
- Adjust the headband to fit your head.
- Position the headband in the middle of your head.
- Ensure each earcup sits on your ears in line with your eardrums.
- Adjust the clamping force to ensure optimum comfort.
Tips on How to Wear Headphones Correctly
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: Can headphones affect your head?
- Answer: Headphones cannot affect your head physically. The skull comprises strong bones that make it impossible for headphones to cause permanent damage. However, overusing headphones can lead to migraines or headaches, especially when playing audio at high volumes. It can also lead to wax buildup, blocking your inner ear and causing temporary hearing loss.
- Question: Can headphones cause head dents?
- Answer: Wearing headphones for extended periods cannot cause head dents. However, they will leave an impression on the skin and hair. Some headphones have tight adjustment mechanisms that fit the headset tightly around your head, flattening your hair and causing discomfort. Nevertheless, the skin or hair impression is temporary and disappears within minutes.
- Question: How can I wear headphones without denting my head?
- Answer: Headphones don’t dent your head. However, they can make you feel uncomfortable when worn for extended periods, giving the impression that you have dents. The best way to wear headphones without this sensation is to move the band to the back to reduce pressure. You can also wear a cap under your headphones to prevent them from flattening your hair.
- Question: How do you tighten headphones around your head?
- Answer: Sometimes, your headphones might feel loose around your head. Fortunately, you can tighten them by moving them inward. You can also use the adjustment system to move the band to a comfortable position on your head. If that doesn’t work, consider adding padding to the headband or wearing a beanie under the headphones to tighten them comfortably.
- Question: Where should headphones sit on your head?
- Answer: Your headphones should sit over the middle of your head, with each earcup resting on your ears. The earcups have letter engravings that indicate which ear the speaker should sit on. However, depending on your comfort, you may want to change the headband’s position. You can move the band to the back to reduce pressure and clamping force on your head.
Conclusion
Worry not. Wearing headphones won’t change the shape of your head. The human skull is rigid, with tough bones that can withstand high pressure.
The worse you can get is a crease on your skin or flattened hair. However, this is only possible if the clamping force is excessive and you wear your headphones for extended periods.
Adjusting the headband and correctly wearing the headphones can help reduce the pressure for a more comfortable experience.
