In-Ear vs. On-Ear

In-Ear vs. On-Ear: Which headphones are best for sports?

A medical and health perspective on the advantages and disadvantages of the two types of headphones

Nowadays, headphones are a constant companion in all life situations. Especially when it comes to sports, they help you to let cool beats drive you and give you full power. However, finding the right headphones for your needs is not that easy.


The choice on the market is huge! So what to look out for?

We make the decision easier for you by presenting the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular in-ear and on-ear headphones.

When deciding which headphones to buy, the sound, fit and style are the most important factors. In addition, the newly purchased headphones should not be harmful to sensitive hearing.

Who knows this better than our expert: ENT specialist Florian Roßkopf answered our questions.


Mr. Roßkopf, what should I look for from a medical perspective when choosing my headphones?

From a medical point of view, the purchase decision "which headphones are right for me" depends on many factors. The anatomy of the outer ear plays a decisive role. This includes the size of the ears, as well as the shape and position of the auricles. The shape, size and individual course of the auditory canal should also be taken into account when deciding on a purchase.

On-ear headphones, as the name suggests, rest on the ears. Especially people with large auricles, or even with protruding ears, are often not able to wear on-ear headphones for a long time without unpleasant pressure or even pain on the auricles.

In-ear headphones are inserted into the external ear canal, completely sealing it. Their hold is created by friction and must therefore be placed partly with pressure in order not to fall out of the ear. For people with small or narrow ear canals, this can be very painful or simply impossible.


In-ear headphones: The small, inconspicuous plugs

In-ear headphones are popular for sports because they are small, lightweight and deliver good sound. There are both models with cables and Bluetooth variants without cables at all. They are inserted directly into the ear canal and shield it from environmental noise.


Do in-ear headphones act in the ear similar to cotton swabs?

Anything inserted into the ear canal from the outside can lead to disruption of natural ear cleaning and accumulation of earwax, much like a cotton swab, so yes.

Still, there is one advantage: It usually means you don't have to turn the volume way up to get the best sound from your favorite song - even with bass.

So you can lose yourself in your world of sound while walking, jogging or cycling, for example, without disturbing background noise and without damaging your hearing by listening to music too loudly. And when you don't need the in-ear headphones anymore, they are easy to store and small enough to fit in any pocket. The downside to in-ear headphones, however, is that they sit very close to your sensitive eardrums.


Why this is a problem?

The eardrum, and thus your hearing, can be permanently damaged, especially by long (and loud) music listening.


Are in-ear headphones more harmful(er) to health than on-ear headphones in terms of infections and hearing damage?

 I think with "harmful to health" we have to distinguish between injuries to the outer ear and the inner ear.

If we restrict ourselves first to the outer ear, in-ear headphones are certainly more risky than on-ears. Especially in "frequent listeners", the self-cleaning of the ear is disturbed by the mechanical obstruction of the ear canal, similar to hearing aid wearers, and increased earwax plug formation may occur. If ear canal hygiene is inadequate, this can lead to clogged ear canals and even ear infections. An earmold that does not fit well can also cause pressure points and cause pain. Fortunately, I see this very rarely in my practice, but have never encountered it with on-ears.


So in-ears are rather not recommended for hour-long bike rides or the long run.

Sometimes in-ears are also perceived as a foreign body in the ear, which could feel uncomfortable and annoying in the long run. Especially if the in-ear headphones do not fit tightly enough, there is also the risk of the plugs falling out. This is not only annoying but can also quickly become a safety hazard due to the shock and distraction!

While we're on the subject of safety: The in-ear headphones shield you from the outside world to such an extent that you no longer perceive any environmental sounds.

Fine, you are then in your own sound world. But does that make sense in traffic?

Our tip: It's best to take out at least one pair of headphones when crossing the street or otherwise actively participating in traffic.

But let's check with our expert again here, too.


Does the intended use and the duration of use of the in-ear headphones have an influence on possible damage to health?

From a medical point of view, there are no restrictions regarding the intended use and duration of use. Certainly, in-ears are very convenient for many when traveling or commuting to work, as they are small and can be quickly stowed in the pocket and do not take up much space in an extra case. However, as already mentioned, for natural ear canal cleaning not quite ideal. Especially in commuter traffic with a bike, e-scooter or on foot, it is elementary important to be able to hear your surrounding sounds in traffic accordingly. This is much better possible with on-ears than with in-ears, which completely seal the ear canal. The same also applies to outdoor sports activities.


Let's take a closer look at on-ear headphones in the next step.

On-ear headphones: The stylish eye-catchers with a natural hearing sensation.

The on-ear headphones are ideal for sports. Unlike in-ear headphones, they rest comfortably on the ears and are not inserted into the ear canal. This ensures a high wearing comfort, because the headphones are not perceived as a foreign body in the ear. In addition, having the headphones rest on your ears provides a more spacious and natural listening experience.

They allow outside noise to pass through, making them safer for use in traffic.

Because they rest further away from the eardrum on the ears, they do not potentially damage the sensitive eardrum with excessively loud sounds. However, the volume needs to be turned up a bit further for the best sound experience.

How loud can I listen to music for 10min, 1h or 3h without harming my health?

As an ear, nose and throat specialist, I must advise everyone not to listen to very loud music, even for a short period of time. However, as the saying goes: "The dose makes the poison". It has been scientifically proven that volumes of 85dB (decibels) and above lead to hair cell damage in the inner ear.

Just to get a feel for "loudness", here are a few examples: When we whisper, we speak at about 30dB. We carry on a conversation at a volume of about 60dB, street noise in the city can reach levels of up to 85dB. Levels of 100-110dB prevail in the disco, rock concerts sometimes also up to 120dB. The pain threshold for us humans is 120-130dB. A jet plane taking off at a volume of up to 140dB, measured at a distance of 25m, is noise-damaging to our hearing without hearing protection. This means that listening to music at 85dB for 10min - or even for 3 hours - will not cause permanent hair cell damage in our inner ear.

Even going to a disco at 100dB volume will not leave any permanent damage. However, everyone knows the feeling of numbness, sometimes with high "ear whistling", in the first minutes after leaving the disco or concert. These are warning signs from our ears, which try to protect themselves from the extreme volume by tensing fine little muscles in the middle ear.


Sounds logical.
And you can stand out with on-ear headphones even without loud trumpeting music.

Depending on your personal style, you can match the color and design of the headphones to your clothing. There are even personalized versions with logos or movie themes, for example. However, we do have one caution for those who wear glasses or earrings: Be careful not to accidentally pull them off when taking off the headphones.

Can anything be said regarding the development? Is there more damage to health from headphones nowadays than 10 years ago, for example? Or has the technology improved and is it possible that more developers are addressing the medical aspects?

Since it became mandatory to wear hearing protection at a volume of 80 dB or louder, noise-induced damage to the inner ear has been significantly reduced. Socially, a different body awareness has developed. We are more sensitive and aware of our health. This is also reflected in our practice.

The young party generation, who like to listen to loud music in discos, clubs or at concerts, now often have individual hearing protection fitted to protect their ears from noise damage. Back in my party days, I was still a rarity and one of the very few with individual hearing protection.

Technology in the music industry, especially in the headphone sector, has developed rapidly in recent years. Health awareness and medical aspects have now become a close component of headphone development, but I don't have to tell you that.


Conclusion: on-ear headphones are the better choice, especially for sports.

If you're looking for small and lightweight headphones that shield you from the outside world and fully immerse you in your audio experience, go for the in-ears.

But if you're looking for more comfortable headphones that offer a natural listening experience and pose fewer risks of damage to your ears, you should opt for the on-ear headphones.

Here, too, we are interested in the expert's opinion, of course.


Which headphones are best for sports and which type of headphones are your personal recommendation?

When it comes to sports, we all agree that freedom of movement is the most important thing. Thus, Bluetooth on-ear headphones are certainly the first choice.

In-ears can easily loosen or fall out completely during vibrations. Sweat is also often a problem that should not be underestimated. Harmful to the health of the ears, our own sweat is certainly not, but as already mentioned, this can also lead to ear irritation or inflammation if ear hygiene is poor.

With on-ears, this can usually not happen. They hold perfectly on the ear even during mountain runs or downhill mountain biking, there is no sweat buildup in the ear canal and - what I personally find most important - the ambient noise can still be heard compared to the in-ears. Thus, for me, a clear choice for on-ears. Earebel has done all of this perfectly with their wide selection of headbands and caps for every season and preference.


What our choice falls on, you can probably guess. Therefore, at this point again some advertising on our own behalf:

Our recommendation: Earebel - The most comfortable Bluetooth headphone system for sports.

The most versatile Bluetooth® audio system in the world and the most comfortable headphones for sports - that's Earebel.

With its Bluetooth® system, Earebel® offers a completely new way of wearing headphones.

Cap on, music on and go!

Outdoor fans know: Running, skiing, biking or hiking is even more fun with the right soundtrack and can generate additional motivation.

The Bluetooth headphones can be integrated into Earebel caps and headbands, and can be removed and replaced if necessary. Earebel focuses on maximum wearing comfort without slipping or uncomfortable pressure on or in the ears.

In addition, there is an unadulterated, radical sound experience without compromise - "Radical Sound Comfort" in other words. You are sure to find a suitable model in our online store. Have fun!

Tags: in-ear, on-ear, removable headphones