Hearing Devices

Hearing Devices That Also Protect Your Ears (Sometimes Without You Realizing It)

Many modern earbuds, headphones, and hearing devices don’t just play sound — they also change the sound environment around you.

Some:

  • Passively block the ear canal like a light earplug

  • Use Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to reduce background noise

  • Lower the volume you need to hear clearly in loud places

  • Reduce your daily noise dose without you even thinking about it

But here’s the catch:

These same devices can either protect your hearing… or encourage you to play sound too loudly.

Understanding the difference is critical.

AirPods Pro (2nd generation)

These are surprisingly relevant to hearing protection.

Why?

  • Excellent ear canal seal (passive attenuation)

  • Very effective Active Noise Cancellation

  • Transparency mode allows awareness without removing them

  • Because noise is reduced, users naturally listen at lower volumes

In noisy environments (airplanes, gyms, lawn mowing, travel), many users unknowingly reduce their exposure simply by wearing these.

Protective effect: Moderate to High (when used properly)

Risk: Turning music up because “it sounds so clear”

AirPods Pro (3rd generation)

(When available / expected evolution)

Expected to further improve:

  • Seal

  • Adaptive noise control

  • Environmental awareness

These trends actually move consumer earbuds closer to smart hearing protection than entertainment devices.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Over-ear ANC headphones are extremely protective in loud settings.

  • Large earcup creates strong passive barrier

  • Industry-leading ANC reduces environmental noise dramatically

  • Users often listen at very low volume in loud spaces

These can rival light industrial hearing protection in airplanes, buses, and public spaces.

Protective effect: High

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

Similar story to Sony.

These are often worn for comfort — but they incidentally:

  • Reduce environmental noise exposure

  • Lower the listening level required

  • Provide long-duration protection during travel or commuting

Protective effect: High

Shokz OpenRun Pro

These don’t block the ear canal at all.

That means:

  • No passive protection

  • No ANC

  • Users often turn volume much higher in noisy settings

These are fantastic for safety awareness while running or biking — but they are not protective in loud environments.

Protective effect: Low

Risk: High volume in noisy areas

Eargo 7

Modern hearing aids do something fascinating:

They reduce background noise and amplify speech, which often means users need less overall sound energy to hear clearly.

For patients with hearing loss, these can actually reduce noise dose in busy environments.

Protective effect: Situational but real