Noise-canceling earbuds have gained popularity in recent years, but concerns about their impact on hearing health remain. According to ENT Dr. Joe Donzelli, noise-canceling earbuds alone do not damage hearing. Instead, long exposure to unhealthy decibel levels is the primary cause of trauma to the tympanic membrane and potential hearing damage.

While some may worry that noise-canceling earbuds can exacerbate the issue, experts agree that it's the volume level that matters most. Listening at a lower volume with noise-canceling earbuds can actually reduce exposure to damaging decibel levels.

Noise-canceling headphones can be beneficial for sleeping or falling asleep, but they're not suitable for emergency situations due to their ability to tune out external sounds. For those looking for earbuds specifically designed for sleeping, there are many options available.

Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-noise-canceling-earbuds/#ftag=RSSbaffb68