Is it safe to use earbuds in an airplane?
I like using my earbuds when in the airplane, since they provide better sound insulation than the standard economy headphones, but I've been told (I couldn't find any information confirming it though) that they might by a hazard in case of depressurization.
Admittedly, this is extremely rare, but still, could it happen that in this case they might get "sucked" into the ear and possibly damage the eardrum? Or can I travel safe wearing my eardrums all along the flight?
Best Answer
While it won't be a problem on de-pressurization, you should really think twice about using your own earphones on an aeroplane. The aeroplane usually has a 2-pin headphone socket, you can use your own headphones by plugging into the larger pin (which is 3.5mm). Unfortunately, the impedance of inflight headphones (300 ohm) is different to normal audioplayers (40 ohm) so it can "blow out" the tiny speakers in your headphones (reference).
This happened to me on Air India last week (and I've had to trash a £250 pair of B&W headphones). If you're using your own equipment, please make sure to use (what I previously considered) a pointless adaptor - it creates an impedance buffer and may save your equipment.
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Is it OK to wear earbuds on a plane?
Generally speaking, the use of wireless headphones is not entirely prohibited. In most cases, you are free to use them on a flight. Just avoid using them when the plane is taxiing, taking off, and landing. Also, ensure that your mobile device is in flight mode and that all cellular connections are turned off.Can I use my Bluetooth earbuds on an airplane?
Can I Use Wireless Headphones in the Cabin and Can I Connect Them to IFE? Yes \u2013 you can use Bluetooth headphones on planes. That's because they're short-range devices and generally cause negligible interference for aircraft. The FAA \u2013 a stickler when it comes to aircraft safety \u2013 decided Bluetooth was safe in 2013.Can you use wired earbuds on a plane?
If you are asking if they will work with the plane's audio, the answer is yes, but only as a wired headset. You will need a standard stereo patch cord (male to male mini-plug). Depending on how the aircraft is equipped, you may also nee a special adapter to use both stereo channels.Can You Use AirPods on a Plane?
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