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Can You Sleep With Airpods In? [HIDDEN DANGERS & RISKS]

Can You Sleep With Airpods In? [HIDDEN DANGERS & RISKS]

Listening to calm music while sleeping has some proven health benefits. But, have you heard about stories of devices exploding in the ear? Is sleeping with AirPods considered safe? Does it cause any long-term damage to your ears? Before investing in AirPods, it is worth understanding the hidden dangers and risks associated with them.

Most modern AirPods designs are not optimized for sleeping. There are several mild to severe risks associated with sleeping with Airpods, including disturbed sleep, ear wax build-up, infections, physical discomfort, and compromised safety. Rest assured, there is unconfirmed evidence of good-quality Airpods exploding in the ear. 

It is scientifically proven that the subconscious part of our brain processes and picks up more knowledge while we are sleeping than when we are conscious. But, such effects can only be taken advantage of when it is not intimidating to one's health and life.

men bed with airpods

Sleeping With Airpods

We live in an age of technology and AirPods have become one of the basic essentials that everyone needs. Good quality AirPods have a sleek design and are lightweight with the tenacity to hang in your ears without causing discomfort or pain. As long as you are aware of the possibilities of the hidden dangers and risks associated with AirPods, it is considered safe to sleep with AirPods in.

Sleeping with AirPods in can be a personal choice. Some people absolutely face no issues using AirPods when sleeping. For them, even the most boring podcast is probably the best medicine for a peaceful night's sleep!

Choosing to listen to music while sleeping is often considered by insomniacs or by those who want to enhance the quality of sleep. AirPods respite you from external disturbances and boost happy brain chemicals. So if you find it difficult to sleep due to noisy neighborhoods, nearby traffic, or building work – AirPods can be a calming escape.

Conversely, some of us may actually have trouble sleeping with AirPods in. Let's find out why:

Is It Bad To Sleep With Airpods In?

Do you feel well-rested after sleeping with AirPods? Do you have a sore ear when you wake up? No matter what genre of music you play, some of us may actually find AirPods to be disturbing when plugged in during sleep. Here are some risk factors involved in sleeping with AirPods:

  1. Disturbed Sleep – While sleep-inducing music or podcasts can help you fall asleep, they are usually not able to send you to the deepest state of the sleep cycle. Constant noise disturbs the REM cycle (Rapid Eye Movement), which is very crucial for our body to fully rejuvenate. As a result, you may feel tired and drowsy even after 7-9 hours of sleep. Sleeping with AirPods may also cause physical discomfort.
  2. Hygiene Issues & Ear Wax Build-up – When you sleep regularly with AirPods, bacteria, dirt, and wax can build up, which affects the natural cleaning pattern of your ears. Bacterial infections like Otitis Externa can cause ear pain and even hearing loss.

If you feel stuffed ears, make it a point to regularly clean them with sterilized cotton swabs and thus, prevent ear infections.

  1. Risk Associated with Noise Cancellation – Since AirPods cancel the outside noise, you may also miss out on morning alarms, fire alarms, or probably someone knocking at the door. Asa result, this could lead to compromised safety, especially in emergencies.
  2. Skin Related Issues – If you sleep sideways, there are chances that the AirPods will put extra pressure on the skin inside your ear canal. In the long run, this will result in tissue death, causing necrosis of the skin.
  3. Cancer and Radiation – Since Bluetooth is known to produce significantly low levels of radiofrequency waves, scientists have said that Bluetooth-enabled AirPods are least likely to be carcinogenic. However, in the best interest, long-term radiation exposure should always be avoided.
  4. Loss & Damage – When you sleep with AirPods in, there are high chances of misplacing them under the blankets, floor, or unreachable places. Though recent launches are said to be water-resistant, they are not waterproof. Therefore, it is important to protect your AirPods from sweat and heat.
  5. Spillover of Battery Contents – If the AirPods battery malfunctions, the content may drain into your ear without getting noticed, which can turn out to be highly dangerous. Therefore it is highly advisable to never use AirPods with old or damaged batteries.

If you are trying to study or read something with AirPods, it is best to do it during the day. This way, both the conscious and subconscious part of your brain store and processes the information when you snooze out.

black woman enjoy music

Can Airpods Explode In Your Ear While Sleeping?

We have all heard stories of exploding smartphones, but can AirPods explode in your ear too? (read a story here). Even the thought of AirPods exploding in your ear sounds threatening! As with many lithium-ion battery-powered devices, there may be little chance of AirPods swelling up or rupturing. However, popular brands like Apple have a robust quality check process and to date, there isn't any true report of Apple AirPods exploding in your ear while sleeping.

However, one should always be cautioned when using fake AirPods or those purchased from inexpensive and local brands.

How To Wear Airpods Correctly

AirPods are known to be one of the most comfortable devices compared to other earbuds available in the market. You might have received 3 sets of ear tips with your AirPods. These silicone ear tips come in different sizes so that you can personalize and choose a size that could comfortably snug into your ears. Oversized or undersized tips can be responsible for ear infections. You can also take the Ear Tip Fit Test on the iOS platform to ensure that you are using the correct pair. Once dirty or damaged, make sure to replace these tips.

You can also try using AirPodscovers for a more comfortable and hygienic fit. If you are sensitive to certain materials like silicones, thoroughly read the material composition review before purchasing.

Some Safety Tips To Follow

Listening to music has several benefits, but only if you hear it right. If you must listen to music while sleeping, simply follow these rules:

  • Do not use your AirPods for long periods of time.
  • Make it a habit to clean your ears and AirPods regularly. Some of the readily available tools you can use to clean your AirPods are: a soft towel, tissue, rubbing alcohol, Q-tips, or cotton buds. If you sweat excessively, AirPods should be cleaned at least once in a month.
  • Avoid listening to loud music while sleeping. This is important to keep your heart rate healthy. Slow rhythmic music (of about 60dB) is recommended for sleeping.
  • Wireless in-ear headphones are undoubtedly a better option than wired earphones in terms of usability, quality, and convenience. However, unlike AirPods, they do not produce any radiation.
  • If you are a side sleeper, use a soft pillow for reducing pressure from the earbuds.
  • If you must use AirPods, sleep on your stomach to avoid AirPods from falling off or pushing into the ear.
  • You can use Bluetooth speakers or other music devices. Since these devices are not too close to the body, they would never cause any serious damage. Sleep headphones are also a good option.

AirPods are great to own. If you use them sustainably, the device is cherished to the fullest extent. After all, the healthier and safer you are, the more you can celebrate using such technological masterpieces in the upcoming years.

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