Sound Matters: Testing Headphones and Noise Health

More than 100 million Americans are exposed to unhealthy levels of noise daily. To help you protect yourself and those you love, we’re re-airing this episode on how  to determine if you’re at risk of hearing loss and what you can do about it.

Lauren Dragan, Wirecutter’s longtime senior writer covering headphones and audio equipment, walks us through the health issues linked to noise pollution, how to find out if you’re exposed to too much noise, and specific ways to reduce sounds at home, while commuting, or in noisier situations (like concerts or parties). 

Lauren shares her favorite headphones, from noise-canceling headphones to sleep headphones. And she recommends specific ear muffs and ear plugs for adults, kids, and babies. Lauren also reveals how to use various frequencies of noise—like brown or pink noise—to block out irritating sounds that may be bothering you.

Products we recommend:

Gear to help you monitor sound levels: 

• Apple Watch with sound metering: Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
• An app for any phone to monitor sound levels: NIOSH Sound Level Meter

Everyday protection options for your ears: 

• Earplugs for concerts or other loud moments: Loop Experience 2 or Loop Switch
• Noise cancelling earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM5
• Noise cancelling over-ear headphones: Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700
• Noise Isolating tips for most earbuds: Comply ear tips

Headphones for sleeping: 

• AcousticSheep SleepPhones Wireless
• Soundcore sleep A20

Protecting little ears: 

• Earmuffs for babies: Ems for Kids Baby Earmuffs
• Earmuffs for kids and teens: Muted Earmuffs
• Earplugs for kids and teens: Loop kids
• Noise cancelling headphones for kids: Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet-Plus

Lauren loves: 

• Bearaby Cotton Napper

Additional reading:

• The 4 Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones of 2024 
• The Best Sleep Headphones (But We Hoped for Better)
• The 3 Best Earplugs for Concerts of 2024 
• The 5 Best Kids Headphones of 2024
• The 4 Best Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds of 2024 
• Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Kids Is a Growing Problem. Here’s How to Protect Little Ears.

Lauren Dragan

Instagram: /laurendragan

Bluesky: /‪@laurendragan.bsky.social‬

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The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast