Ask HN: What percentage of time are you wearing headphones/earbuds?

[Ambitious1325]

Ever since noise-cancelling headphones became popular and affordable, I've noticed myself becoming pretty incessantly attached to them. Probably 75% of my awake time I am wearing them and/or listening to something, and while I don't think this is terribly abnormal, I'm almost certain it's been terrible for my mental capacity.

Beyond that I have running theory that noise cancelling contributes to my depression by further enforcing a sort of isolation.

Curious if anyone else has felt the same effects.

[dazc]

'Beyond that I have running theory that noise cancelling contributes to my depression by further enforcing a sort of isolation.'

You may be onto something there, stop doing it for a while and see how you feel. What's to lose?

[beardyw]

Out in the park today I heard a bird call I didn't know. Turned out to be a macaw someone was taking for a walk. Most people around were unaware.

So, very rarely.

[snvzz]

I am wearing my HD600 about every minute I spend at the computer.

[midzer]

Only while DJing. So only a marginal amount of time.

[KomoD]

Never, my hearing is too messed up

[throw03172019]

8-10 hours a day for working hours.

[dazc]

As a middle-aged person with tinnitus, don't do this. If your work environment requires it then find some other work. Damage to your hearing is permanent and can make your life a living hell.

Once you get the symptoms it's too late.

[snvzz]

Just hearing sound doesn't cause tinnitus. Everybody does hear sound all day long, every day.

Hearing sound at an excessive volume might. Don't do that.

If you can remove your headphones and still hear them at an arm's length, they are too loud.