Ask HN: What percentage of time are you wearing headphones/earbuds?

#1

Post by Ambitious1325 » Sun, Apr 02, 2023, 3:05 PM UTC

Ever since noise-cancelling headphones became popular and affordable, I've noticed myself becoming pretty incessantly attached to them. Probably 75% of my awake time I am wearing them and/or listening to something, and while I don't think this is terribly abnormal, I'm almost certain it's been terrible for my mental capacity.

Beyond that I have running theory that noise cancelling contributes to my depression by further enforcing a sort of isolation.

Curious if anyone else has felt the same effects.

Re: Ask HN: What percentage of time are you wearing headphones/earbuds?

#2

Post by midzer » Sun, Apr 02, 2023, 3:16 PM UTC

Only while DJing. So only a marginal amount of time.

Re: Ask HN: What percentage of time are you wearing headphones/earbuds?

#3

Post by throw03172019 » Sun, Apr 02, 2023, 3:18 PM UTC

8-10 hours a day for working hours.

Re: Ask HN: What percentage of time are you wearing headphones/earbuds?

#4

Post by dazc » Sun, Apr 02, 2023, 3:20 PM UTC

throw03172019 wrote: post #3

8-10 hours a day for working hours.

As a middle-aged person with tinnitus, don't do this. If your work environment requires it then find some other work. Damage to your hearing is permanent and can make your life a living hell.

Once you get the symptoms it's too late.

Re: Ask HN: What percentage of time are you wearing headphones/earbuds?

#5

Post by dazc » Sun, Apr 02, 2023, 3:23 PM UTC

'Beyond that I have running theory that noise cancelling contributes to my depression by further enforcing a sort of isolation.'

You may be onto something there, stop doing it for a while and see how you feel. What's to lose?

Re: Ask HN: What percentage of time are you wearing headphones/earbuds?

#6

Post by beardyw » Sun, Apr 02, 2023, 5:48 PM UTC

Out in the park today I heard a bird call I didn't know. Turned out to be a macaw someone was taking for a walk. Most people around were unaware.

So, very rarely.

Re: Ask HN: What percentage of time are you wearing headphones/earbuds?

#7

Post by snvzz » Sun, Apr 02, 2023, 8:42 PM UTC

I am wearing my HD600 about every minute I spend at the computer.

Re: Ask HN: What percentage of time are you wearing headphones/earbuds?

#8

Post by snvzz » Sun, Apr 02, 2023, 8:43 PM UTC

dazc wrote: post #4

throw03172019 wrote: post #3

8-10 hours a day for working hours.

As a middle-aged person with tinnitus, don't do this. If your work environment requires it then find some other work. Damage to your hearing is permanent and can make your life a living hell. Once you get the symptoms it's too late.

Just hearing sound doesn't cause tinnitus. Everybody does hear sound all day long, every day.

Hearing sound at an excessive volume might. Don't do that.

If you can remove your headphones and still hear them at an arm's length, they are too loud.

Re: Ask HN: What percentage of time are you wearing headphones/earbuds?

#9

Post by KomoD » Mon, Apr 03, 2023, 2:36 PM UTC

Never, my hearing is too messed up