Every technology is designed for a purpose, and so are headphones. We live in a busy world, where we are greeted by a cacophony almost daily. Be it traffic sounds or noisy devices, we are bound to look for an escape. Wearing headphones is one such solution for turning off distractions. Plus, noise pollution is one of the major issues we are currently facing as a product of urbanization. Therefore, businesses are developing products to help the public escape the daily unpleasant noises they have to deal with. With the overview out of the way, let’s explore what headphones have in store for us in terms of advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of headphones
You can use headphones to avoid unwanted conversation, but that’s only one of their advantages. Here are a few more.
1. Block unwanted noise
You could have easily assumed from the introduction that blocking unwanted noise is one of the purposes headphones are designed for. Using headphones lets you create a virtual world by isolating yourself from the real one.
It blocks all unwanted distractions, allowing you to focus on the tasks at hand. It is also especially useful when you are trying to focus while in a bustling environment. From listening to audiobooks to preparing presentations, headphones have got you covered.
2. Improve listening experience
Headphones are quite comfortable to wear compared to other similar devices. Users can feel the sound is directly going to their head, further helping them comprehend it better. Simply put, wearing headphones brings the speaker closer to the eardrum.
That way, the users can focus on minute details. Also, if you are a fan of listening to music, using headphones will take your listening experience to the next level. Moreover, some headphones come with a noise-canceling feature, eliminating the need to turn up the volume. Overall, the use of headphones improves the listening experience for users.
3. Increase productivity
The obvious benefit of increasing your focus is a boost in productivity. Headphones eliminate distractions for you, allowing you to make the most of your time and get more things done. Take a look at your surrounding, and you will realize we live in a very distracting world. Products and services are designed to grab people’s attention, diverting their attention further.
This is especially true when you have to work on important projects for submission. The things you wouldn’t usually notice become appealing when you have to get things done. So why not use headphones to remove them from your sight while increasing your productivity?
4. Portable
Most headphone models are designed to be portable, thus providing flexibility and freedom of movement to their users. This is why they can easily fit into your bags, around your neck, or even in your pockets in the case of earphones/earbuds. They are oftentimes the favorite companion of users who are always on the go.
You can go to any place and headphones will prove to be useful to you in some ways. They’re also superb for learning foreign languages because they allow you to better concentrate on words and their pronunciation. Additionally, you can use them while playing video games to improve your gaming experience.
5. Easy to use
If your work requires you to speak on calls for hours, you should definitely consider using headphones. This way, you will relieve yourself from holding your devices near your ear and straining your muscles in the process.
Headphones are quite easy to use, and you don’t need prior technical knowledge to use them. If you still aren’t convinced, how about getting a hands-free experience using headphones? This means you can multitask while still being on call and, as we have discussed earlier, boost your productivity.
Disadvantages of headphones
With many positive sides covered, we have the obligation of covering the negative ones. Ergo, here are several disadvantages of headphones.
1. Power consumption
We have different types of headphones available, both wired and wireless. The wired ones consume power from the devices users connect them to. What happens here is that the amplifier in the audio jack transforms the audio waves into electricity to power the headphones. Predictably, the consumption of power varies depending on the type of headphones used.
For instance, headphones designed for less distortion consume more power and drain the battery of your device faster. Headphones aren’t the only factor – the software you use for listening is, too. Altogether, they can spend more power, eventually draining your battery.
2. Expensive
There’s a variety of headphones available on the market. Unsurprisingly, not all types of headphones are suitable for your needs. Some are quite cheap, while others can burn a hole in your pocket. The inexpensive ones may look appealing but compromise sound and build quality. Therefore, the high price shouldn’t discourage you from choosing sophisticated features.
The high-quality headphones can be expensive but are built from comfortable materials and are more durable. Additionally, they provide premium features such as active noise-cancellation, water resistance, multipoint connectivity, anti-peeling cushion treatment, and 3D sound support. Considering all the excellent features the high-end headphones provide, we’re left with no option but to make a costly purchase.
3. Hearing issues
The perks headphones offer shouldn’t blind you from their disadvantages. No doubt you can use your phone while working out, studying, or watching series. However, prolonged use of headphones can lead to temporary loss of hearing. If it continues, the hairs in your ear may stop vibrating to sound, causing permanent hearing damage.
People also suffer from health issues such as tinnitus and other ear infections because of careless headphone use. Furthermore, it can numb your ear, and since your brain is close by, the damage can also affect your brain over time.
4. Decrease awareness
As we mentioned above, headphones prevent unwanted noise and increase our focus on what we are listening to. On the flip side, this can decrease our awareness of our surroundings. That’s not a problem when we’re in a safe spot, working on a project.
However, the same cannot be said for the buzzing environment. We have seen a rise in deaths and pedestrian injuries due to headphone usage. It is important to double-check your environment before using headphones, as they can put you in danger.
Comparison of the Pros and Cons of Headphones
We already discussed several points in the above section. If you are looking for more of them, these are the pros and cons of headphones in a tabular format.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Provides private and immersive audio experience | Can cause discomfort during extended use |
| Blocks out external noise for better focus | Limited soundstage compared to speakers |
| Portable and convenient for on-the-go use | Provides a private and immersive audio experience |
| A diverse range of styles and types are available | Some headphones can be bulky or heavy |
| May lead to hearing damage at high volumes | They may lead to hearing damage at high volumes |
| Wireless options offer freedom of movement | Battery life is a consideration for wireless models |
| Noise-canceling models reduce ambient noise | Audio quality varies widely between brands and models |
Here is the infographic of the same in case you want to save it for later –
What does the future hold for headphones?
Contrary to popular belief, headphones do have more innovations to offer. Although some of them might be hit-and-miss, we shouldn’t forget that the recent advancement in headphone technology has been a result of similar progress. Thus, we are here to try and explain how the industry is evolving as a whole and what new innovations are on the horizon.
Headphones are the most popular among the younger generation, as a study shows they spend almost 8 hours with them. The headphone market in the US alone accounted for approximately $6 billion in recent years, which is merely 27.9% of the entire globe.
Even countries such as China are predicted to reach $5.6 billion in sales by 2026. Which makes headphones a sound investment. Thus, let us take a look at what new things it has to offer. But before that, we are leaving you with this video that will help you figure out what headphones to get:
1. Introducing LDAC
Now, we are already familiar with Bluetooth and its latest drivers, such as aptX HD, which supports a bit rate of 576 Kbps with a 40 ms lag. But soon LDAC will be available, which will make Bluetooth headphones more attuned to sound quality. LDAC comes in three modes, the highest of which supports 990 Kbps which is much faster than the current aptX HD.
2. Rise of ANC
Yes, ANC is becoming a more common feature. With many new players entering the market, companies have started fleshing out their headphones in order to retain customers. To do so, they are often found offering ANC (Active Noise Cancellation), a feature that was only recently restricted to premium headphones.
3. Virtual Surround Sound
Virtual Surround Sound lets users experience a home theater level of audio quality with their headphones. This sound amplification feature allows users to simulate surround sound speaker systems with the headphones.
4. Bone conduction headphones
These headphones are worn over your bones, not your ears. They go in front of the ear canal, not in it, and then start transmitting sound waves to your bones, which pass them to the ear. They are made with safety in mind, as your ears are exposed to any environmental cues.
5. Solar-powered Headphones
And lastly, we have solar-powered headphones. Although solar power is not unique per se, the headphones are. They use an ambient light charging system that is not dependent on sunlight and can get energy from indoor lighting as well.
Here’s a table explaining all these innovations and their impact on the headphone industry.
| Technology | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Allows devices to connect wirelessly | The new LDAC will enhance the quality of the connection, thereby improving the audio. |
| ANC | It reduces outside interference, making for a quiet listening environment | Users are able to enjoy a calm environment without any interruptions. |
| Bone Conduction | Utilizes sound waves to transmit any audio to the ears | Much safer for outdoor activities. |
| Wireless Charging | Charging the device without the use of wires or cables | It is easier to carry and allows a more convenient mode of charging. |
| Virtual Surround Sound | A feature that allows for an immersive audio-listening experience | 3D, or virtual surround sound, allows users to experience home theater-level audio quality. |