Tinnitus from Headphones

Cluster focuses on users reporting tinnitus and hearing issues, often attributing them to noise-cancelling headphones or prolonged loud headphone use, with personal anecdotes and warnings about ear damage.

📉 Falling 0.3x Health
4,261
Comments
19
Years Active
5
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#4762
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

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Keywords

TRT HN BANG TLDR ANC WTF journals.lww reddit.com SO wikipedia.org tinnitus hearing ear hear noise headphones sound sleep frequency loud

Sample Comments

dotancohen Apr 24, 2023 View on HN

A recent HN thread described how noise cancelling headphones may cause tinnitus. You might want to research that.

dawson Aug 25, 2022 View on HN

I got tinnitus doing this, at least I think I did!

loco5niner Feb 19, 2020 View on HN

Agreed. I'm dealing with hearing issues from exactly this type of situation.

Rzor Feb 11, 2023 View on HN

I suspect this method gave me tinnitus. Be careful.

slipperymate Aug 11, 2019 View on HN

I've the same issue at times, it's called hidden hearing loss.https://hear-it.org/hidden-hearing-losshttps://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/Fulltext/2017/010...

brandonmenc Oct 19, 2025 View on HN

Same.I'm half convinced it's something like blood vessels too close to sound receptor thingies in my ear. Or something similar.I had a hearing test done a few years ago and my hearing is actually slightly above average for my age.It would be nice to not have it, but whatever.

BonoboIO Mar 4, 2023 View on HN

Mhmmm that could explain my tinnitus...

iolothebard Jan 9, 2015 View on HN

You should try tinnitus, nothing is barely audible ;-)

dacracot Dec 9, 2016 View on HN

You have described my problem exactly. It's impossible to explain to someone who hasn't experienced it. I've been tested and other than tinnitus, I'm told my hearing is normal. This could be awesome.

FriendWithMoon Jun 9, 2021 View on HN

Similar to what having permanent tinnitus sounds like. Take care of your ears!