Is It Safe to Sleep With AirPods?

Lull yourself to sleep, but should you keep those AirPods in deep? Our world has been completely revolutionized by technological advances in our modern day. As we seek creative solutions to our sleep problems, the question arises: Is It Safe to Sleep With AirPods?

Due to the availability of many gadgets and technologies in our technological era, it is easier than ever to take advantage of the power of music wherever you go and whatever you do. So, why should an activity like sleep be devoid of a technological imprint and the myriad benefits it may provide to the world’s insomniacs? According to research, listening to music while falling asleep can be utilized as an alternative treatment for patients suffering from insomnia and PTSD.

Either you are one of those insomniacs or simply want to improve the quality of your sleep hygiene, you may be considering utilising AirPods. But, before you do, we’d like to provide an in-depth analysis to assist you decide whether it’s safe to sleep with AirPods. So, is it safe to sleep with AirPods? Let’s find out!

The Risks of Sleeping With AirPods: Should You Rethink the Habit?

Using AirPods to drift off to dreamland can indeed be a viable option when done with care. Whether it’s soothing music, white noise, calming rain sounds, or even a sleepy podcast, these wireless in-ear headphones have become the sleep aid of choice for some. Despite the unconventional podcast-sleep combo, many users swear by the quick slumber they achieve with AirPods by their side.

Sleeping with wireless headphones like AirPods Pro is unquestionably safer than wired earphones because the chance of entangled wires around the neck is avoided. However, before you begin this habit, you must first understand how to sleep with headphones or earbuds correctly.

We’re not here to make your decision; wearing AirPods while sleeping does not fall into the categories of “good” or “bad.” Instead, let’s look at the potentially dangerous and small negative effects of this behavior. Our goal is to tell you about any risks associated with the product so that you can make an informed decision before inserting these devices into your ears to help you sleep. So, what are these potential risks and consequences? Let us investigate them jointly.

Understanding the Potential Dangers of Sleeping With AirPods

Ear Wax Formation

When you have AirPods firmly tucked in your ears, it’s critical to be mindful of potential concerns, such as earwax buildup. AirPods may interfere with the natural outflow of earwax, resulting in ear canal congestion. If you’re used to wearing them during your 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, it could lead to infections, discomfort, and even hearing loss. Regular ear cleaning to remove extra wax is vital to mitigating these dangers, as ears are particularly sensitive and require careful attention.

Extensive Otitis

Otitis Externa: A Cautionary Tale of Ear Canal Infections Otitis Externa, a bacterial infection of the ear canal, can cause a variety of painful symptoms such as hearing loss, earaches, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. In severe situations, the skin around the ear canal may gradually deteriorate, potentially enabling fluid to enter the ear and producing pain in the outer ear.

Because the ear canal connects the outer ear to the eardrum, it is critical to maintain its health. While swimmers are especially vulnerable to this condition, people who frequently use headphones and earbuds are also at risk. To alleviate these issues, it’s critical to clean your AirPods on a regular basis, gently removing earwax and using rubbing alcohol to remove debris and hazardous bacteria. Cleaning and maintaining these devices with care will help protect your ear health and well-being.

Necrosis

If your AirPods don’t fit properly, they can place extra pressure on the skin inside your ear canal. As a result, the skin begins to degrade, with the possibility of necrosis (tissue death). It is critical to choose ones that are a good fit for you.

Hearing loss

Overexposure to sound in the auditory canal can result in hearing loss, particularly if you listen to music too loudly. In some circumstances, severe ear infections can result in hearing loss.

Disturbed Sleep

A constant sound in the ear, regardless of loudness, can interfere with sleep. You will be able to sleep soundly, but not in the deep, relaxed state essential for your body to fully recover. This may produce drowsiness and fatigue in the morning.

Compromised Safety

Using AirPods while sleeping can cause crucial sounds to be suppressed based on volume. You may not hear a knock on the door, a fire alarm, or a phone call as a result of this. This can have disastrous consequences, especially in an emergency. Instead, sleep with only one in.

Easy to Lose

Most of the time, AirPods do not slide off easily. They still slide off as individuals toss and turn in bed. If you roll over during night, an Airpod may fall off and become lost under the sheets, on the floor, or anywhere else you can’t find. It’s not like folks sleep with their AirPods clamped to their ears. It is usual for AirPods to fall out during sleeping.

As a result, if you’re a restless sleeper, someone who frequently changes from their left to right side of the bed, the AirPods may finally slip out. Some individuals are concerned that they will lose their AirPods if this occurs.

Damage by Sweat and Water

While the AirPods Third Generation, AirPods Pro, and the MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods Third Generation are water resistant, they are not completely waterproof. While they can handle some moisture, prolonged contact with perspiration or water can cause irreparable harm.

Dropping your AirPods in water, for example, increases the likelihood that they may stop working properly. If you’re thinking of wearing AirPods while sleeping, especially in the summer when perspiration levels may be higher, you should proceed with caution. Excessive sweating or dampness might cause the AirPods to be damaged or perhaps fail completely.

To ensure the longevity of your AirPods, avoid exposing them to excessive moisture, and if they do come into contact with water, properly dry them before use. Always keep in mind that, while they are water-resistant to some extent, they are not completely waterproof.

Physical Discomfort

When you sleep on your side, the AirPods buds will face the pillow, placing pressure on our ears to keep them in place. It may not appear to be much hardship at first, but it adds up. Many people wake up in the middle of the night because their ears hurt.

The most expensive sleeping headphones can cause discomfort if not utilised appropriately.

When you truly want to have your ears blocked while sleeping, some of the best concert earplugs are more comfortable.

Audio Slumber: Exploring the Potential Advantages of Sleeping With AirPods

From what we can see, there are various concerns associated with sleeping with earbuds. However, there are some advantages as well. Here are some advantages of sleeping with Apple AirPods.

Relaxation

For good reason, most of us like listening to music. Listening to music that you enjoy increases the creation of “happy chemicals” serotonin and dopamine in our brains. Pleasant music might lift your spirits if you go to bed in a poor mood. According to research, listening to the correct music before bedtime induces a relaxation response, resulting in a faster, longer, and less interrupted night’s sleep.

Relief from External Problems

Earbuds are an excellent way to block out noise while sleeping. Even if you’re not listening to music, you can use both AirPods as earplugs. Loud and unpleasant noises can be drowned out by playing music or using a white noise app, such as traffic, construction work, neighbours playing loud music, or a noisy roommate.

Extensive Battery Life

After a full charge, the AirPods battery lasts about five hours. There will be plenty of time to unwind and sink into a deep, comfortable sleep. Charge them again after a good night’s sleep.

How Should You Sleep With AirPods ?

There are more tactics you can employ to improve your sleep while wearing AirPods.

Maintain Proper AirPod Hygiene

To prevent infections, clean your AirPods on a regular basis by cleaning them gently with a moist towel first, then a lint-free dry towel. You can also disinfect them using a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. If you know how to clean headphones and earbuds, you can clean your AirPods in the same way.

Avoid Listening to Loud Music

While resting, always listen to soothing and quiet music and avoid loud and quick music. Maintain a low loudness level. Choose music with a tempo of 60-80 beats per minute to match the heart rate of a healthy, relaxed person. If you don’t want to listen to music, you can try ASMR or white noise.

In addition, we receive a lot of questions from parents who want to know if AirPods are safe for children. Yes, but only for sleeping purposes.

Choosing the Ideal Size

AirPods are the same size across the board, however their many imitators and earbud competitors vary in size. The AirPods Pro include three interchangeable rubber tips in various diameters. The Apple AirPods Pro, in fact, are the greatest earphones for little ears. A perfect fit will deliver rich sound and great noise cancellation, but one that is too big or small may fall out or cause some of the infection-related difficulties we outlined previously.

To find the best fit for your AirPods Pro, use the various tips that are included with your purchase. After all, everyone’s ears are unique, and finding an earbud tip that fits your ear is critical to increasing overall comfort.

Take frequent breaks

It’s a good idea to take regular pauses from the music you’re listening to. These brief breaks can occur at any time throughout your listening session, ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Keep AirPods in a Case

Keep your AirPods in a vented case to reduce moisture and bacterial growth, which can lead to illnesses.

Make use of a Memory Foam Pillow

When you apply a precise amount of pressure to these pillows, as the name says, they will regain their shape rather than flattening out like other pillows. They also conform to the shape of your head and neck, which is great because it means they won’t put as much pressure on the AirPods, potentially hurting the inside of your ear if you sleep on your side.

Keep your AirPods from falling out when you sleep

To ensure a secure fit and avoid AirPods slipping out while you sleep, there are various methods you can employ. One effective approach is adjusting the positioning of your AirPods by twisting them upwards at approximately 30 degrees, bringing the base to a horizontal position. This slight twist will make your AirPods protrude slightly outward away from your ears, reducing the likelihood of them coming loose during the night.

In our experience, about 90% of users find their AirPods intact in the morning after sleeping with them. Although, there may be instances where some users misplace their AirPods or the AirPods case during the night. However, this need not be a cause for concern. In most cases, the AirPods or case are usually easy to locate, often resting on or near the pillow. Occasionally, they might be found on the floor or under the bedsheets, but such occurrences are rare and not a significant cause for worry. By following these tips and remaining mindful, you can comfortably enjoy the benefits of sleeping with AirPods.

Conclusion 

After going through this article, you can put your worries to rest regarding sleeping with AirPods. While it’s unlikely to significantly affect your overall health, there are ways to minimize potential negative impacts. Remember to consider the risks, keep your AirPods clean, and regularly check your ears for any signs that might prompt you to discontinue sleeping with them. With these precautions in mind, you can sleep soundly while enjoying your AirPods.

After going through this article, you can put your worries to rest regarding sleeping with AirPods. While it’s unlikely to significantly affect your overall health, there are ways to minimize potential negative impacts. Remember to consider the risks, keep your AirPods clean, and regularly check your ears for any signs that might prompt you to discontinue sleeping with them. With these precautions in mind, you can sleep soundly while enjoying your AirPods.

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