Comfort or danger? Experts reveal hidden risks of falling asleep with headphones

Tech site BGR warns that headphones can obstruct hearing, making it difficult to hear alarms or someone shouting in case of an emergency. Wired headphones also present a risk if the cord becomes wrapped around your neck.

Additionally, wearing headphones too tightly while sleeping can lead to necrosis, where restricted blood flow causes skin cell death and tissue damage. Trapping moisture in the ear can cause infections, potentially leading to pain, pus, and hearing problems. Earwax buildup due to headphones or earbuds can also become compacted and require medical removal.

A person with headphones one. Photo from Pexels

Dr. Baibing Chen, a US neurologist who runs a TikTok channel under the name Dr. Bing, offering everyday medical advice, recently warned in a video that wearing headphones to sleep may contribute to hearing loss, a condition linked to an increased risk of dementia, according to The Mirror.

"If you are one of those people that wear headphones to bed just make sure that the sounds that you're playing are quiet and not loud because loud sounds can damage the hair cells in your inner ear and over time can raise your risk of hearing loss and dementia," Chen explained.

He added that listening to loud sounds while sleeping can disrupt deep sleep, affecting the brain’s lymphatic system, which clears out toxins.

To reduce these risks, sleep specialists suggest using an external speaker to play soothing sounds or white noise instead of headphones. They also recommend improving sleep quality through regular exercise, a balanced diet, and a consistent sleep schedule. Meditation before bed can help promote relaxation, similar to how soothing music works.

Chen emphasized the importance of regular hearing check-ups, noting that even mild hearing loss can significantly raise the risk of dementia.