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

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

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

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.

See Also

• Noise-cancelling headphones
• Bone conduction headphones
• Earbuds
• Hearing protection

Headphones Resources
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