Is wearing headphones overnight bad?

If your neighbors are noisy or your partner snores loudly, you might be wondering if you can wear headphones to sleep. Many people in your situation grab any pair of headphones they have lying around, thinking a little white noise or ambient music will solve their sleep problems. As someone who talks to customers daily, this is a really common question I receive.

The truth is that using any old pair of headphones while you sleep can be risky. Even if you fall asleep with the volume at a reasonable level, some songs may be extra loud, exposing your ears to potentially damaging sound. Those little earbuds that get jammed into your ears? They can lead to wax buildup and trap moisture, especially if you shower before bed, creating the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. We have seen reports of people ending up with sore, irritated ear canals and even infections from earbuds.

But don't write off the idea entirely! Designing your sleep soundscape is a fantastic sleep aid, but it's how you do it that matters. Just thinking about comfort and design, standard earbuds just don't really cut it, do they? That's why we designed SleepPhones® headphones specifically for sleeping. They consist of flat, padded speakers inside a soft, breathable headband. Nothing is jammed into your ear canal, meaning no moisture traps, no wax buildup, and no irritation; just way more comfort.

Because we care about your health, we recommend keeping the volume at a moderate level (under 70 dB). Ultimately, it's also about mindful listening and a comfortable fit. Sometimes just knowing your setup is designed for sleep and won't cause you pain is half the battle.

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