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Is it Bad to Sleep With AirPods or Airbuds on your ears?

_Sleeping With AirPods

AirPods are Bluetooth earbuds manufactured by Apple and are meant to work with an iPad or iPhone.

However, they can also be used on other devices such as smartphones and computers because they are Bluetooth-enabled. All AirPods are tiny enough to fit into the ear canal comfortably.

They do not feature any power control buttons but use optical sensors and accelerometers.  There are many amazing things you can do with an AirPod.

Apart from sharing audio with friends, you can be able to tell who is calling you without checking your phone. Voice control with Siri is possible and the user can also read messages and make calls. 

Is it bad to sleep with AirPods on?

The daily hustles and bustles of today’s life make it difficult for you to have a peaceful mind when you retire to bed. Since a relaxed mind is a prerequisite to achieving a night of good sleep, soothing music from an AirPod is a possible remedy.

It is not bad to sleep with AirPods on. AirPods are comfortable compared to headphones since there are no wires to tangle with in bed. However, it is not fully good as listening to music can affect the quality of your sleep, and so hinder a healthy rest. Even though there are probable dangers associated with them, the benefits cannot be overlooked.

Below are some benefits of using AirPods:

1. Eliminates offensive noise

Urban life involves a lot of noise from the streets or even from construction sites.  This causes terrible noise that makes it difficult to get sleep

With an AirPod on your ears, this irritating noise is completely blocked. They fit tightly when you are lying down canceling out possible noise that can disrupt your sleep. 

2. Enhances brain chemicals

Great music in a sleeping position is known to trigger the release of dopamine in the body which consequently stimulates serotonin.

These are essential brain chemicals that are known to trigger sleep. With AirPods, you can achieve the best relaxing music to trigger these chemicals and get sleep easier. 

3. A better alternative to sleeping pills

AirPods are good at distracting you from any thoughts and anxiety. If you suffer from insomnia or PTSD, using AirPods is safer than using sleeping pills which can have severe consequences on your health.

4. Maximum comfort

AirPods are meticulously constructed so that they can fit in any size and type of ear canal. They are neither too tight to cause any form of pain nor too loose to fall off when you lie down.

They fit in snugly and no wires will be around you thus guaranteeing maximum comfort making it easy to fall asleep. 

The Risks associated with AirPods

As usual, nothing good lacks the bad sides and AirPods are no exception. Below is a cursory examination of some risk associated with the use of  AirPods:

AirPods risks
  • When used frequently for a prolonged time, ear wax build-up can occur. The case can be more severe if they are pushed deeper into the ear canals.
  • If you sleep on a daily basis for 7-9 hours a night, AirPods can eventually block ear canals and result in pain, hearing loss, or infections. 
  • The powerful noise-cancellation feature of this gadget is admirable. Nonetheless, this may jeopardize your safety.
  • It will be impossible to hear important sounds such as fire alarms, important sounds, or possible house break-ins. 
  • Prolonged usage of AirPods can cause Otitis Externa, a common ear infection of the canal that occurs when there is an excessive buildup of bacteria.  

Alternative Gadgets to listen to music while Asleep

1. Sleepbuds

Sleep buds provide soothing music that can make you sleep despite noise emanating from neighbours, traffic or a snoring partner.

They feature rubbery ear tips that fit into your ears snugly thus blocking any external noise from disturbing your peace. They are a good alternative for both passive and active noise cancellation.

2. Sleep sound machine

Sleep sound machine

If earbuds and Airpods are not your things, a sleep sound machine can be a plausible alternative.

You can connect to your favorite music and fall asleep even when in a noisy environment.

It is a unique gadget that can adapt to the relative noise in your surroundings. Above all, you can connect it to your pillow speakers.

3. Bluetooth headphones

Bluetooth headphones are good because they come with no wires and can be worn without the inconvenience of wires.

The comfort is further enhanced by the presence of flexible silicones that mold perfectly to the head. However, the obvious downside of headphones is the fact that they are bulky when compared to Airpods. 

4. Earplugs

Earplugs

Earplugs are alternative music gadgets that can improve sleep quality.

Noise from a snoring partner, loud music, or nearby freeway can be very distracting. 

The use of AirPods for sleeping has been a subject of discussion in different settings. Despite the negative effects, AirPods are a better remedy for low-quality sleep as opposed to sleeping pills.

Having inadequate sleep for a long time has myriad repercussions ranging from heart attacks to stroke and even diabetes.

To some extent, people who get inadequate sleep can suffer from depression and reduced immune function. If you sleep in a noisy environment or you are simply a light sleeper, use AirPods to better your sleeping experience. 

Check out our guide on how to use Airpods as microphones and learn more.

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