What's That Rash? Could headphones be damaging our ears?
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Mar 10, 2026 They examine whether earbuds and noise cancelling cans are harming ears or the brain’s sound processing. A brief history of headphones traces tech from early in‑ear sets to the Walkman era. Listeners’ questions and a noise‑risk calculator highlight behaviours that raise cumulative exposure. Practical safe‑listening tips and who is most at risk are discussed.
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Hearing Damage Comes From Chronic Loud Exposure
- Chronic, frequent exposure to loud noise is the main driver of hearing damage rather than single sharp noises.
- Norman explains that length and repetition of loud sound (concerts, daily loud headphones) more strongly predict long-term hair cell damage in the inner ear.
1890s In Ear Headphones Predated Walkmans
- Early in-ear headphones were patented in the 1890s by Ernest Mercadier for telephone users and had rubber covers to close the ear.
- Tegan describes Mercadier's lightweight inserts that effectively soundproofed the ear for telephone listening.
Inventor Made Headsets In His Kitchen For The Navy
- Nathaniel Baldwin built telephone headsets at home and successfully persuaded the US Navy to adopt them around 1910.
- Tegan recounts Baldwin making sets in his kitchen and later scaling up production when the Navy recognized their superiority.