Earbuds: A Genius in Your Ears

Whether you’re on the train, talking to a friend, or in class, you have probably seen others wear wireless earbuds or have worn a pair yourself. These tiny gadgets not only let you listen to your favorite songs or watch Edpuzzles, but they also let you keep the sound to yourself. However, despite their convenience, versatility, and technological brilliance, earbuds can have damaging effects on hearing if used irresponsibly.

True Wireless Stereo earbuds have become increasingly popular in recent times due to their unparalleled convenience in comparison to their wired counterparts and further developments in Bluetooth technology. These earbuds have a range of up to 33 feet, allowing a greater range of movement for the user, especially helpful during exercise. Many have additional touch control add-ons, being able to adjust volumes and pause audio with a simple tap. All the while, they can be contained in a pocket-sized charging case, further complementing its wireless design and minimalist footprint. On top of all this, wireless earbuds offer a stylish look, being able to complement a majority of outfits with their sleek design and variety of color choices. These additional features do come at a price, as the average cost of wireless earbuds ranges from $50 to $100, while their wired counterparts have an average cost ranging from $10 to $20. However, the appeal of not having to untangle wires is what attracts most people to pay more for wireless earbuds.

Bluetooth technology enables a distanced connection between earbuds and audio devices through the transmission of ultra-high frequency radio waves, usually around 123 millimeters in wavelength, which are received by Bluetooth antennas in either device. Each antenna can receive a specified range of wavelengths of waves that are generally weak enough to be generated by a small battery, which is found in the earbuds. These wavelengths send “packets” of information in the form of bits, long sequences of ones and zeros, which are subdivided into specific sections serving different purposes. The first 72 bits serve as access codes that allow direct synchronization between devices and can be confirmed through Bluetooth settings on the audio-producing device. The next 54 bits provide information about the data type being transmitted, while the last 500 bits of the message consist of the data, which is converted into the audio you hear in your earbuds. The communication of these “packets” of information occurs through one of 79 separate wavelength channels, each having a specific frequency for bits to be translated into. In the case that there are multiple Bluetooth users in the same space, channel hopping occurs, in which the audio device consistently swaps channels to send its bit sequences, which can only be followed by the synchronized earbud due to the thousands of swaps that occur per second. This channel hopping also allows for adaptability in the Bluetooth system. If specific channels experience blockage due to overuse or noise interference, those channels will not be used until the interference is cleared out. It is through this unique system of communication that audio can be privatized and transmitted without a physical medium.

The design of an earbud is compacted into multiple mechanical parts that maximize comfort and sound quality. Underneath its plastic and mesh dust cover lies the audio-generating speaker connected to neatly folded circuitry responsible for receiving and transmitting audio signals. Glued on the backside of the speaker, a microchip on a circuit board manages Bluetooth connectivity and decodes messages from a connected device. There may also be accelerometers adjacent to this microchip that enable touch-control through measuring vibrations in the earbud. A second circuit board is attached on the bottom that contains an audio codec, which compresses audio files into binary for efficient transmission and decompresses them back into audio. On the back of the earbud, there is a microphone that serves as noise cancellation by detecting outside sound and generating sound waves with opposite amplitudes to cause destructive interference between the waves. Lastly, a tiny battery is connected to the circuitry at the bottom tips of the earbuds, which can be charged in a pocket-sized charging case. These components are all neatly fitted into an ergonomic device design that comfortably fits and stays in your ear.

Despite the attractive and convenient design of the earbud which makes listening to your favorite song ever so tempting, it still shares the same dangers of hearing loss with its wired counterparts. Although the electromagnetic waves produced by earbuds are known to be harmless, prolonged listening above 70 decibels in earbuds can damage specialized hair cells in the ear, causing sensorineural hearing loss, a form of hearing loss that is caused by permanent damage to the nerve cells within the ear. Fortunately, earbuds are often designed to limit volume to safe listening levels, but it can be very easy to raise the volume to an unsafe level in loud environments, where your ear has habituated to the loud sounds and requires a higher volume threshold to detect audio. Even if you are listening at very low volumes, prolonged usage can build up pressure in the semicircular canals inside your ears, which may affect balance. Additionally, the buildup of dead skin cells and earwax on your earbuds can spread bacteria into your ear, an optimal spot for bacterial infection.

Thankfully, there are ways to keep your ear safe while listening with earbuds. The easiest way is to set a volume limit on your earbuds so that even during periods of extended listening, your ears are unlikely to be damaged. Additionally, opt for noise-canceling earbuds; they not only filter out loud background noise, but it makes it easier to manage volume levels. Of course, if you want to listen to loud music, make sure to listen in short intervals, no more than an hour for volumes over 100 decibels. 

The design of the wireless earbud is not only a technological success, but a spectacular application of innovation and creativity. These earbuds not only produce sound with comparable quality to that of their wired counterparts but they are meticulously designed to accommodate convenience and adaptability. So the next time you take out your earbuds to jam on the subway, be grateful that you’re still able to hold on to the nearby pole to stabilize yourself!