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AIBU?

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Original poster

Ubiquity of headphones/earbuds

65 replies

Avoidingfacebookforabit · 03/05/2025 19:28

Where I live nearly everyone has their ears plugged.....it makes me feel nervous . AIBU to think it's best to have all senses alive when walking busy streets? or am I being too panicky? Xxx

OP posts:
Someone2025 · 07/05/2025 15:18

Avoidingfacebookforabit · 07/05/2025 07:47

It seems I am being unreasonable! 🤣 Thanks all for your replies, I have found this very interesting and I'll feel less stressed knowing people might have just one bud in or bone conducting headphones ( didn't know that was a thing)..x

bone conducting headphones

Didn’t know it was a thing either, learn something new everyday

OurManyEnds · 07/05/2025 14:54

New MN note to self: listening to music = odd.

I’m a musician. Silence is odd to me.

Redpeach · 07/05/2025 14:49

GoldfinchFeather · 07/05/2025 13:49

Yeah, it does seem odd that so many people are uncomfortable of being in silence - they've always got to be listening to something, rather than having a bit of time away from from music, podcasts, whatever.

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Odd to you. You probably do things others find odd.

FinallyHere · 07/05/2025 14:25

Bone conducting headphones

I can hear everything around me, and stop the sound through the headphones with on press of a button. Brilliant.

BassesAreBest · 07/05/2025 14:22

GoldfinchFeather · 07/05/2025 13:49

Yeah, it does seem odd that so many people are uncomfortable of being in silence - they've always got to be listening to something, rather than having a bit of time away from from music, podcasts, whatever.

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How do you know they are actually listening to something rather than just using the headphones to reduce external noise?

Even if they are listening to something, what’s the issue? Nobody is forcing you to listen - have all the silence you want!

Pennyssmartwatch · 07/05/2025 14:21

Time away from music? There's always something playing in my head!

TheSwarm · 07/05/2025 14:21

GoldfinchFeather · 07/05/2025 13:49

Yeah, it does seem odd that so many people are uncomfortable of being in silence - they've always got to be listening to something, rather than having a bit of time away from from music, podcasts, whatever.

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Why is it odd to have a preference?

I like listening to music, so I use earbuds when I'm out and about. So what? Just because other people prefer not to doesn't make them better or worse than me.

OurManyEnds · 07/05/2025 14:18

But what’s inherently ‘better’ somehow about silence? I have my music on LOUD when I’m working or thinking or getting ideas for my business. My brain does better that way.

It’s almost as if silence is somehow the superior choice, according to some posts on this thread. Wonder what that’s about 🤷‍♀️

GoldfinchFeather · 07/05/2025 13:49

RhaenysRocks · 03/05/2025 19:33

Absolutely YANBU. I mean, I'm not anxious or worried about it as you describe but... So many pedestrians wandering out across roads with no awareness at all, walking into you on the street because they're are usually looking at their phone as well.

Added to the danger, it's just so sad that people can't go from A-B without some constant external entertainment. Where is the room for musing, pondering, imagining, if you have a constant stream of music or a podcast or tiktoks or whatever.

Yeah, it does seem odd that so many people are uncomfortable of being in silence - they've always got to be listening to something, rather than having a bit of time away from from music, podcasts, whatever.

Redpeach · 07/05/2025 13:36

DonnaBanana · 07/05/2025 13:34

I’m not anxious for other people just myself, but if I were entirely deaf then I think I would avoid walking around in situations where I needed high awareness yes or keep looking behind me

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Do you avoid driving too, because statically thats more dangerous

DonnaBanana · 07/05/2025 13:34

DoAWheelie · 07/05/2025 12:42

Do you get anxious and panicky about deaf people existing then too?

I’m not anxious for other people just myself, but if I were entirely deaf then I think I would avoid walking around in situations where I needed high awareness yes or keep looking behind me

OurManyEnds · 07/05/2025 13:32

I have my headphones on almost constantly and I’ve somehow managed to evade danger. Do we all have to worry about everything all the time?

YearlySubscriptionRenewal · 07/05/2025 13:31

RhaenysRocks · 03/05/2025 19:52

Cars approaching, cycle bells, sirens? It's dangerous to be so oblivious.

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I am listening to music, it doesn't mean I am death to everything else. You can use headphones and not listening to music so loud it erases every other sound.

I might need to switch them off to hear properly, but I can still hear sirens when I wear them! I am not oblivious, unlike people looking at their phone and not paying any attention to their surroundings.

TweetingHurricane · 07/05/2025 13:06

RhaenysRocks · 03/05/2025 19:33

Absolutely YANBU. I mean, I'm not anxious or worried about it as you describe but... So many pedestrians wandering out across roads with no awareness at all, walking into you on the street because they're are usually looking at their phone as well.

Added to the danger, it's just so sad that people can't go from A-B without some constant external entertainment. Where is the room for musing, pondering, imagining, if you have a constant stream of music or a podcast or tiktoks or whatever.

I agree with the risk factor and I always pause mine when walking across roads, but music doesn’t stop pondering and imagination, infact it fuels it

KellyJonesLeatherTrousers · 07/05/2025 12:47

Much better than letting the phone blare out on the streets or on public transport.

DoAWheelie · 07/05/2025 12:42

Do you get anxious and panicky about deaf people existing then too?

Pandimoanymum · 07/05/2025 12:36

Most modern noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds have an "aware" feature so you can still hear what's going on around you. A lot of people who commute every day find the constant noise of the city and traffic around them adds to stress, so if they can listen to something a bit more calming, why not? Personally I enjoy a good podcast or an audiobook, I get quite stressed on crowded public transport so a pleasant, calm voice talking to me about something interesting is very helpful.

Perhapsanothertime · 07/05/2025 12:31

RhaenysRocks · 03/05/2025 19:33

Absolutely YANBU. I mean, I'm not anxious or worried about it as you describe but... So many pedestrians wandering out across roads with no awareness at all, walking into you on the street because they're are usually looking at their phone as well.

Added to the danger, it's just so sad that people can't go from A-B without some constant external entertainment. Where is the room for musing, pondering, imagining, if you have a constant stream of music or a podcast or tiktoks or whatever.

You’re not able to muse and think while listening to music? I am. As are many others.

Uppitywoman · 07/05/2025 12:31

I wear mine at home and in the garden only. I might wear them as a passenger in the car but not often. I never wear them outside. I was attacked from behind many years ago, so I'd rather have my wits about me.

macaroniandcheeze · 07/05/2025 12:28

RhaenysRocks · 03/05/2025 19:52

Cars approaching, cycle bells, sirens? It's dangerous to be so oblivious.

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Apple ear buds allow ambient sounds at the same time. It’s not like wearing earplugs.
I have some cheap ones that don’t have that functionality so I always just wear one and then I can hear in the other ear for all other sounds.

DrCoconut · 07/05/2025 12:26

I can't use them, they are all really uncomfortable

Redpeach · 07/05/2025 11:25

thenightsky · 03/05/2025 20:20

Back in the 80s when Sony Walkmans were the thing, my sister was sat on the grass in a rural spot, writing letters, with her headphones in, and was attacked from behind with no warning because she didn't hear the man approach. Its always safest to have all your senses available.

I've been attacked whilst not wearing headphones

Redpeach · 07/05/2025 11:24

RhaenysRocks · 03/05/2025 19:52

Cars approaching, cycle bells, sirens? It's dangerous to be so oblivious.

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One would hope drivers and cyclists would see

BertieBotts · 07/05/2025 11:09

I use cheap headphones which let outside sound through. I find the occlusion effect terrible when I use headphones which block sound, and besides, I agree that it's important to have awareness of what's around you for road safety etc.

I would much rather people use headphones than blast videos out loud on public transport. I find this terribly antisocial.

If somebody wants to make conversation I just take one earphone out or pause what I'm listening to.

FredoandToto · 07/05/2025 11:04

pinkfloralcurtains · 07/05/2025 09:51

My AirPods (and many similar earbuds) have a transparency feature that I turn on when walking. I can hear cars, people etc behind me.

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Yes, my Bose earphones have an awareness mode too, and I can hear everything around me and my podcasts. Although I do rarely use my earphones when out and about these days.