Are AirPods bad for your brain?

Airpods have revolutionised the way we listen to music, make phone calls, and even get directions. But some people are worried about the health impact of wearing them all day long. So are AirPods bad for your brain?

Are AirPods harmful to your health?

AirPods are mysterious little devices to most people. If you're not an expert, it's likely that you don't really know how they work. It's totally understandable, and sensible even, to be asking 'how bad are AirPods for your brain?' and even 'do AirPods cause brain cancer?'.

The first thing to consider when looking at whether AirPods are bad for your brain is the fact that they meet national and international safety regulations. Scientists and researchers have tested AirPods for both radiation and cancer-causing chemicals. The results: they're safe to use.

Do AirPods cause cancer?

To put it simply, no. It's very unlikely that AirPods cause cancer. To dive a bit deeper, let's consider Airpods radiation.

AirPods emit a form of electromagnetic frequency radiation (EMF) called Radio Frequency Radiation (RF). Your mobile phone, iPad, sound system, and basically any other wireless device emits this type of radiation when the transmits data. The amount of RF radiation emitted by AirPods is not known, but as an example, a smartphone emits about 2 W/kg of RF energy (10 times more than an iPad), and a WiFi router emits about 0.3 W/kg of RF energy.

Don't panic yet.

EMF exposure is divided into low-level or high-level, which scientists classify as non-ionising and ionising. High exposure to ionising radiation - such as X-rays and radioactive materials - **can** cause cancer and cellular damage. But non-ionising radiation, such as microwaves, mobile phones, and—you guessed it—AirPods have not been found to have this effect.

Is it bad to wear AirPods all day?

Apart from the fact that your ears could do with a rest from all the music, it's a no. The amount of radiation from AirPods is minimal, and the amount of radiation from your cell phone is much greater than that from your AirPods. In fact, you get more radiation sitting in front of a microwave oven than you do listening to music with your AirPods!

Can AirPods harm your brain?

The wireless earbuds have not been found to harm or damage your brain or body, unless you drop them on your head. In which case, you should be more careful next time!

If you are concerned about the effects of electromagnetic radiation from technologies like cell phones and laptops (which is also found in AirPods), then we recommend turning off Wi-Fi when it's not necessary or keeping devices at least three feet away from the body while they're charging.

So, how safe are AirPods?

AirPods have been tested by independent laboratories and certified by the FCC. Apple has also conducted extensive in-house testing. The Bluetooth Special Interest Group also tests wireless headphones and other devices to ensure they are safe when it comes to radiation exposure, but AirPods have not been tested yet as they haven't been around long enough.

The bottom line? If you're concerned about the potential dangers of wearing AirPods, don't be. There's no need for alarm at this point in time—and there may never be any reason for alarm at all!

If you do still feel uneasy about using AirPods - and you know we love it when people prioritise their brain health - there are other options out there. You could use a wired pair that works with your headphone jack or Bluetooth headphones that don't require charging on the go.

Want to know more about keeping your brain healthy? Start here.