First there were warnings, now, there is action. Headphones from many manufacturers, including Sennheiser and Apple, are no longer being sold. The reason is frightening, but understandable. There is no blanket sales ban yet, but Bose, JBL, and Sony have been forewarned.
Approximately 15 million pairs of headphones were sold in Germany alone last year. In-ear, over-ear, on-ear, you name it. One common theme? Models with Active Noise Cancellation that are also wireless. The most popular brands are Apple, Sony, JBL — but Bose, Samsung, Sennheiser, and Panasonic also have a huge following. Headphones have long since become part of everyday life. On average, users wear them for two and a half to three hours a day. These are worn during the daily commute, at work, when sweating it out, and in bed before falling asleep. Music, podcasts, meetings, the sound of the sea — our ears hardly get a break. Science then comes along and says: it’s even worse than we thought.
Headphones from Many Well-Known Manufacturers Have a Problem
For a long time, volume was considered the main problem. Too loud and too long results in hearing damage. At least, it was that simple. Now, it’s getting more complicated, because it’s not just about what you hear, but how you hear it. Researchers from the ToxFree LIFE for All project examined 81 headphone models. These range from models sold on Amazon, online platforms such as Shein and Temu, cheap or expensive, they’re all covered. The result is clear. All tested devices contain chemicals that are harmful to health. This includes the big names, even the expensive ones.
The substances are called bisphenol A, bisphenol S, phthalates, chlorinated kerosenes, and flame retardants. They are found in the plastic of cushions and housings, the exact touchpoints with your skin when you wear headphones for hours on end. According to the researchers, these substances can pass into the body. This becomes even more pronounced during sport when heat, sweat, and friction cook up the perfect storm.
→ Back to Wired: Why I’m Done With Wireless Headphones
What these substances can do to the body reads like the package leaflet of a toxic antibiotic. Cancer risk, neurological development disorders, a hormonal system that suddenly has to improvise. Bisphenols act like oestrogen. This can lead to undesirable effects in men, premature puberty in girls, and general fertility problems. This is particularly tricky for teenagers and young adults whose bodies are already undergoing changes. Anyone who wears headphones for several hours daily is exposed to these same risks.
Sales Ban Takes Effect
The market has responded in certain regions. In the Netherlands, the first batch of models have been withdrawn from store shelves, including the local subsidiary of MediaMarkt. According to reports, the popular Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless and the Beats Solo Buds — an Apple brand model — are among those affected.
- Razer Kraken V3
- HyperX Cloud III gaming headset
- Enjoy Music M6pop cat ear headphones
- Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 4
- Haylou S35 ANC Bluetooth headphones
- Logitech G733 Lightspeed Wireless RGB Gaming Headset
- Philips SHD8850
- Beats Solo Buds
- Fresh ‘n Rebel Clam Junior
- Hema Nijntje / Miffy
- Action / OTL Technologies Super Mario
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The entire list (PDF) of headphones that come with toxic additives right out of the box shows many more models need to be removed from store shelves. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro, the best-selling Sony WF-1000XM5, or the Bose QuietComfort Headphones. However, it remains to be seen whether the Netherlands sales ban will eventually spread across the world.
