Most guides compare sound quality and battery life. Start with something that matters more over the years: how loud the headphones can get. Then check the practical things that decide whether you still like them after a full day of calls.
1. Check How Loud They Can Get
The US National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) says long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA) can cause hearing loss, while sounds at or below 70 dBA are unlikely to, even after long exposure. It lists music through headphones at maximum volume at 94 to 110 dBA. The louder the sound, the less time it takes for damage to occur. Keeping the volume well below maximum is the safe habit.
2. Look for Listening Alerts
The World Health Organization and the International Telecommunication Union published a safe listening standard in 2019. It recommends a limit of 80 dB for 40 hours a week for adults and 75 dB for children, and it asks devices to track your exposure, show you a listening profile and lower the volume automatically after long, loud listening. Check whether your phone or the headphones’ app offers a listening-level readout or a loud-volume alert before you buy.
3. Match the Battery to Your Workday
Look for a battery life that covers your longest day of calls, not the best case on the box, and check whether the headphones can charge quickly or be used while charging. A wireless pair that dies at 3 p.m. is worse than a wired one.
4. Test the Microphone on a Real Call
If you work remotely, the microphone matters as much as the speakers. Make a test call in the shop or in the first days after purchase and ask the other person how you sound.
5. Check the Fit and the Return Policy
Wear the headphones for at least an hour before you decide. Pressure on the ears or head after an hour is a sign they will bother you after a day. Make sure you can return them if they do.
This article is provided for general information purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and does not replace professional advice in an individual case.
Sources
- US National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), “Noise-Induced Hearing Loss”, page updated 16 April 2025. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss
- World Health Organization and International Telecommunication Union, “Safe listening devices and systems: a WHO-ITU standard”, published 18 September 2019. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241515276
