How dangerous is it to sleep with earbuds in?

Question

regular ipod type earbuds

Answer 1

The ear bud in itself is not dangerous unless you fidget around with it, placing into your mouth (yuk!) and happen to choke on it.

However the volume from the ear buds can cause hearing loss. So, yes, they can be dangerous.  Simply placing the ear buds into your ears brings the source of the sound closer and with a confined and unobstructed channel to your ear drums. The sound is increased from 6 to 9 db. Your telephone company maintains your line at 4 to 8 db balanced between your line and the other party.  The power of the ear buds produces 2 to 3 or more times than from your home phone. The ear buds also do not block out surrounding noises, tempting you to increase the volume to drown out the noise around you.  

A 60-60 rule is suggested by researchers at Boston’s Children’s Hospital.   Never use an MP-3 Player at full volume.  The volume should not be adjusted over 60 percent and for no more than 60 minutes per day.  Even marginally elevated noise can produce damage to your hearing when maintained over long periods of time.

Answer 2

I think the only danger is playing music too loud with it, you'll probably get some ear damage there, specifically with your eardrums.

Just handle your earphones with care because they get damaged easily when they fall or bump somewhere hard. The audio quality will surely get damaged.

Answer 3

just at regular volume in ur ear, i dont think its a big deal, they will probably fall out themselves as you toss and turn throughout the night. but full blast...wouldnt recommend it.

Answer 4

I've slept with earbuds in my ears for years.  The worst I see happening is the cushion falling off...but more likely the earbud will fall out anyways when you roll over in bed.  If you sleep with your ear against something, it will put pressure on the places it touches, though.  Just don't turn it up very loud (for the same reasons you shouldn't blast it constantly when you're awake).  If you're worried about the cushion falling off then take them off and try sleeping on your back or stomach...but honestly the cushion doesn't do much either way even sleeping on your side...so I guess all in all just take the cushions off and don't blast it, and you should be fine.  I've been doing that for forever and I still hear just fine.