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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
pinkfloralcurtains · 07/05/2025 09:51

DonnaBanana · 07/05/2025 09:41

I find it bizarre that young women now in particular are quite happy to eradicate their sense of what’s around them particularly when walking around at night or in dodgy areas. If you have both your ears blocked up you could have someone creeping literally right behind you and not know till it’s too late.

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

MemorableTrenchcoat · 07/05/2025 09:48

I wear my AirPods on the adaptive setting when out and about, which allows external noise through. I only switch on full noise-cancellation on a bus or train, to counteract the vehicle noise.

echt · 07/05/2025 09:44

Greybeardy · 03/05/2025 20:40

for quite a lot of us it makes it much easier to leave the house - I can be in control of the noise rather than having to listen to everyone else's noise (particularly in the supermarket, but also in the streets). I do turn the vol down/use 1 ear only to cross roads etc, and am old and ugly enough to probably not appeal to many wouldbe attackers!

Women aren't attacked because they are attractive.

DonnaBanana · 07/05/2025 09:41

I find it bizarre that young women now in particular are quite happy to eradicate their sense of what’s around them particularly when walking around at night or in dodgy areas. If you have both your ears blocked up you could have someone creeping literally right behind you and not know till it’s too late.

Original poster
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

OP posts:
Greybeardy · 03/05/2025 20:40

for quite a lot of us it makes it much easier to leave the house - I can be in control of the noise rather than having to listen to everyone else's noise (particularly in the supermarket, but also in the streets). I do turn the vol down/use 1 ear only to cross roads etc, and am old and ugly enough to probably not appeal to many wouldbe attackers!

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.

Littletreefrog · 03/05/2025 20:20

I have bone conducting headphones so my ears are still open for all surrounding noises, 'open ear' headphones are becoming more popular for this reason. You can sometimes turn on ambient noise settings as well on in or over ear headphones so you are safer around traffic etc

BoldBlueZebra · 03/05/2025 20:16

I like the one ear approach- my left ear is crap anyway so I shove my earbud in that one - I do only listen to podcasts though

Justaspy · 03/05/2025 20:04

RhaenysRocks · 03/05/2025 19:52

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

Show quote history

Where I live we have pathways.

beetr00 · 03/05/2025 19:58

@Avoidingfacebookforabit just plug one ear?

RipleyJones · 03/05/2025 19:54

YANBU to use the word ‘ubiquity’ in your MN thread title. Lovely.

RhaenysRocks · 03/05/2025 19:52

Justaspy · 03/05/2025 19:37

I couldn't bare listening to traffic or other people when out for a walk, earbuds for life.

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

Justaspy · 03/05/2025 19:37

I couldn't bare listening to traffic or other people when out for a walk, earbuds for life.

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.