Headphones

Headphones are a pair of small loudspeaker devices worn on or around the head over a user's ears. They are electroacoustic transducers, which convert an electrical signal to a corresponding sound in the user's ear. Headphones are designed to allow a single user to listen to an audio source privately, in contrast to a loudspeaker, which emits sound into the open air, for anyone nearby to hear. Headphones are also known as earspeakers, earphones or, colloquially, cans.

History[edit | edit source]

The first headphones were developed in the late 19th century for use by telephone operators, to keep their hands free. Initially, the audio quality was mediocre and a step forward was the invention of high fidelity headphones.

Types of Headphones[edit | edit source]

Headphones may be designed to be worn on or around the head of a user, depending on the model. They can be broadly classified into the following categories:

Over-ear headphones: These headphones have cushioned cups that cover the ears completely. They are known for their excellent sound quality and noise isolation.

On-ear headphones: These headphones sit directly on the ears and offer a good balance between sound quality and portability.

In-ear headphones: These headphones are inserted into the ear canal, and are popular for their portability and convenience.

Wireless headphones: These headphones use Bluetooth technology to connect to the audio source, eliminating the need for a physical connection.

Health Implications[edit | edit source]

Prolonged use of headphones at a high volume can cause hearing loss. The World Health Organization recommends that young people limit the use of personal audio players to one hour a day in an effort to limit exposure to noise.