Can I wear noise cancelling headphones to sleep?

If you're trying to block out sounds like a snoring partner, neighbors, street noises, etc. at night, you might be wondering if you can sleep with noise cancelling headphones? As someone who spends a large part of the day speaking with potential customers on the phone, this is a surprisingly common question. The answer, however, is not a simple yes or no.

Standard headphones are probably not ideal. They are bulky, awkward, and having them pressed against your ear all night can be uncomfortable, or even painful. Earbuds can get jammed into your ear canal, leading to wax buildup and possible irritation. I've spoken to multiple customers who've had that happen!

While noise cancellation is the goal, noise cancelling headphones may be problematic in case of a smoke alarm or some other urgent matter. If you're looking to reduce outside noise and listen to something relaxing, dedicated sleep headphones are a better choice. We've actually seen a huge shift and people are now looking for comfort and specifically designed product solutions. Ultimately, it's not about silencing the noise, it's about creating a relaxing bedtime routine. Listening to calming audio, like sleep stories, guided meditations, or ambient sounds, can actually help regulate your nervous system and lower your heart rate. It's almost like a signal to your brain that it's time to switch off.

SleepPhones® headphones are fundamentally different. With their thin, padded speakers inside a soft, comfortable headband, they were designed specifically for comfort in bed no matter if you're a side sleeper, front sleeper, back sleeper, or toss and turner. You'll receive the noise reduction via calming audio with no discomfort or irritation. And you can still hear necessary emergency sounds. Plus the noise leakage is minimal, so you won't disturb your partner!

Ultimately, choosing the right headphones for sleeping can make a big difference in both sleep quality and comfort. I've had so many customers tell me they've finally gotten a full night's sleep after years of struggling by using SleepPhones® headphones!

Find more answers on our "Frequently Asked Questions" page.