Safe Listening and Headphone Statistics 2026
This page collects figures on headphone and earbud listening: the WHO-ITU safe listening standard and the limits behind it, how many young people listen above safe levels, how loud and how long people actually listen, sound levels at concerts and clubs, and shipment data for earbuds and headphones. Sources include WHO, BMJ Global Health, the European Commission, NIOSH, NIDCD, CDC, RNID, Apple, peer-reviewed cohort and survey studies, and the market trackers IDC, Omdia and Counterpoint Research. Market figures are from 2025 and 2026. Some standards and exposure findings date from 2008 to 2022 because they remain the current reference, and each is labeled with its year.
By the HearSmart research desk · Updated November 7, 2026 · 50 numbers drawn from 19 publishers and reports
Short answer
WHO's safe listening standard allows 80 dB for 40 hours a week, and the time halves with every 3 dB, so 90 dB is safe for only about 4 hours a week. A 2022 BMJ Global Health meta-analysis estimated that 0.67 to 1.35 billion young people are at risk of hearing loss from unsafe listening, with 23.81% exceeding safe levels on personal devices and 48.20% at loud venues. Earbuds dominate the wearables market: IDC says earwear made up 64.9% of about 148 million wearables shipped in Q2 2026.
Headline numbers
- 80dBWHO says adults can safely listen at 80 dB for up to 40 hours a week, the reference exposure in the WHO-ITU safe listening standard.World Health Organization
- 90dBAt 90 dB, WHO's safe listening time falls to four hours a week, a tenth of the time allowed at 80 dB.World Health Organization
- 0.67 to 1.35 billionBetween 0.67 billion and 1.35 billion adolescents and young adults worldwide could be at risk of hearing loss from unsafe listening, according to a 2022 BMJ Global Health meta-analysis.BMJ Global Health
- 23.81%23.81% of young people in the pooled studies were exposed to unsafe listening levels from personal listening devices such as phones and earbuds.BMJ Global Health
- 1 in 10One in 10 Apple Hearing Study participants in the US had average weekly headphone exposure above the WHO recommended limit, in data reported in 2021.Apple
- 104 to 112 dBAverage sound levels at entertainment venues range from 104 to 112 dB, according to studies cited by BMJ Global Health.BMJ Global Health
- 80%About 80% of US adults reported never or seldom using hearing protection at loud athletic or entertainment events, CDC reports.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- 64.9%Earwear such as earbuds and headphones made up 64.9% of global wearable shipments in Q2 2026 and grew 5.4% year over year, IDC reports.IDC
Reading the numbers
The safe listening rule is a dose, not a volume cap. WHO and ITU define the adult reference as 80 dB for 40 hours a week, with a stricter 75 dB mode for children, and the allowed time halves for every 3 dB increase. That makes 90 dB safe for about 4 hours a week and 101 dB for only 19 minutes, as BMJ Global Health calculates. Apple now applies the same 80 dB for 40 hours rule in its headphone notifications, and the EU set similar default limits for music players in 2009.
Estimates of how many people listen unsafely vary with the method. WHO says over 1 billion young people are at risk, a figure grounded in the BMJ Global Health range of 0.67 to 1.35 billion. Pooled studies put device-only unsafe listening at 23.81%. Device-logged data are lower on an average day: one in 10 Apple Hearing Study participants exceeded the weekly limit on headphones, and 9.9% of Dutch teens in the Generation R cohort exceeded the daily dose on listening days, though 28.8% went over at least once.
Venues are often louder than earbuds. BMJ Global Health cites average venue levels of 104 to 112 dB, and estimates that 48.20% of young venue-goers exceed safe levels, while WHO's venue standard sets a ceiling of 100 dB averaged over 15 minutes. CDC survey data show broad support for warning signs (75.4%) and sound limits (54.1%), yet about 80% of US adults never or seldom wear hearing protection at loud events, and RNID found 58% of young UK adults have had hearing problems after loud music.
The device base keeps growing. IDC says earwear made up 64.9% of global wearable shipments in Q2 2026, and Omdia counts 82.1 million true wireless units in that quarter, with open-ear designs growing 12% while conventional earbuds fell 2%. Apple leads with about 17% to 20% of units depending on the tracker. More earbuds in more ears means safe listening features such as dose tracking and volume limits reach more people, but they only help if listeners act on the warnings.
How many young people listen at unsafe levels
- 1.
About 1.1 billion people aged 12 to 35, nearly half of that age group, are at risk of hearing loss from prolonged exposure to loud sounds, including music on personal audio devices, according to WHO's 2019 estimate.
World Health Organization, New WHO-ITU standard aims to prevent hearing loss among 1.1 billion young people (Feb 2019)
Exact wording at the source
Nearly 50% of people aged 12-35 years – or 1.1 billion young people – are at risk of hearing loss due to prolonged and excessive exposure to loud sounds, including music they listen to through personal audio devices.
- 2.
WHO's current fact sheet states that over 1 billion young adults worldwide are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss from unsafe listening.
World Health Organization, Deafness and hearing loss (fact sheet) (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Over 1 billion young adults are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices.
- 3.
Between 0.67 billion and 1.35 billion adolescents and young adults worldwide could be at risk of hearing loss from unsafe listening, according to a 2022 BMJ Global Health meta-analysis.
BMJ Global Health, Prevalence and global estimates of unsafe listening practices in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis (Nov 2022)
Exact wording at the source
The global estimated number of young people who could be at risk of hearing loss from exposure to unsafe listening practices ranged from 0.67 to 1.35 billion.
- 4.
23.81% of young people in the pooled studies were exposed to unsafe listening levels from personal listening devices such as phones and earbuds.
BMJ Global Health, Prevalence and global estimates of unsafe listening practices in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis (Nov 2022)
Exact wording at the source
The pooled prevalence estimate of exposure to unsafe listening from PLDs was 23.81% (95% CI 18.99% to 29.42%).
- 5.
Minors had a slightly higher pooled rate of unsafe device listening than adults in the BMJ Global Health review: 27.10% versus 23.10%.
BMJ Global Health, Prevalence and global estimates of unsafe listening practices in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis (Nov 2022)
Exact wording at the source
Prevalence estimates were similar for age categories (adults: 23.10% (95% CI 8.90% to 48.03%); minors: 27.10% (95% CI 21.25% to 33.88%)
- 6.
The BMJ Global Health estimate rests on 33 studies covering 19,046 people in 20 countries, with no eligible studies from low-income countries.
BMJ Global Health, Prevalence and global estimates of unsafe listening practices in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis (Nov 2022)
Exact wording at the source
A total of 35 records from 33 studies corresponding to data from 19 046 individuals were included.
- 7.
One in 10 Apple Hearing Study participants in the US had average weekly headphone exposure above the WHO recommended limit, in data reported in 2021.
Apple, Apple Hearing Study shares new insights on hearing health (Mar 2021)
Exact wording at the source
Average weekly headphone exposure for one in 10 participants is higher than the WHO recommended limit.
- 8.
9.9% of Dutch adolescents with a mean age of 13 exceeded the recommended daily noise dose on days they listened, based on app-logged phone data from 2016 to 2019.
JAMA Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Objective Measurement of Listening Device Use and Its Relation to Hearing Acuity (Generation R Study) (2022)
Exact wording at the source
Seven participants (2.2%) exceeded the 100% daily noise dose for all days and 31 (9.9%) for the listening days.
- 9.
The EU scientific committee SCENIHR estimated in 2008 that 5% to 10% of personal music player listeners risk permanent hearing loss, typically people listening over an hour a day at high volume.
European Commission, Commission welcomes new safety standards for personal music players (IP/09/1364) (Sep 2009)
Exact wording at the source
In October 2008, the EU Scientific Committee SCENIHR 1 , warned that listening to personal music players at a high volume over a sustained period can lead to permanent hearing damage. 5-10% of listeners risk permanent hearing loss.
The safe listening standard: 80 dB for 40 hours a week
- 10.
WHO says adults can safely listen at 80 dB for up to 40 hours a week, the reference exposure in the WHO-ITU safe listening standard.
World Health Organization, Deafness and hearing loss: Safe listening (Questions and answers) (2024)
Exact wording at the source
For example, you can safely listen to a sound level of 80dB for up to 40 hours a week.
- 11.
At 90 dB, WHO's safe listening time falls to four hours a week, a tenth of the time allowed at 80 dB.
World Health Organization, Deafness and hearing loss: Safe listening (Questions and answers) (2024)
Exact wording at the source
If the sound level is 90dB, the safe listening time reduces to four hours per week.
- 12.
The WHO-ITU standard includes a stricter mode for children of 75 dB for 40 hours per week.
World Health Organization, Safe listening devices and systems: a WHO-ITU standard (Feb 2019)
Exact wording at the source
Mode 2 for children: 75 dB for 40 hours per week.
- 13.
WHO advises keeping a device's volume below 60% of its maximum when listening on headphones.
World Health Organization, Deafness and hearing loss: Safe listening (Questions and answers) (2024)
Exact wording at the source
Keep the volume below 60% of maximum on your device.
- 14.
Under the EU safety mandate for personal music players, exposure at 89 dB(A) should not exceed 5 hours a week.
European Commission, Commission welcomes new safety standards for personal music players (IP/09/1364) (Sep 2009)
Exact wording at the source
At 89 dB(A) exposure should not exceed 5 hours/week.
- 15.
EU scientific advisers equated 8 hours a day at 80 dB(A) with only 15 minutes a day on a music player at 95 dB(A).
European Commission, Potential health risks of exposure to noise from personal music players and mobile phones (SCENIHR opinion summary) (Oct 2008)
Exact wording at the source
For instance, being exposed at work to 80 dB(A) during 8 hours per day is equivalent to listening to a personal music player at 95 dB(A) during 15 minutes per day or to an even louder sound of 107 dB(A) during 1 minute per day.
- 16.
Using the 80 dB for 40 hours limit with a 3 dB exchange rate, the permissible time for a 101 dB sound is only 19 minutes, according to BMJ Global Health.
BMJ Global Health, Prevalence and global estimates of unsafe listening practices in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis (Nov 2022)
Exact wording at the source
For example, based on a maximum permissible level of noise exposure of 80 dB for 8 hours a day (40 hours/week) with a 3 dB exchange rate, the permissible exposure time of a 92 dB sound is 2.5 hours, of a 98 dB sound is 38 min, and of a 101 dB sound is only 19 min.
- 17.
NIOSH's recommended workplace limit is 85 dBA averaged over an eight-hour day.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: For Everyone (Jan 2024)
Exact wording at the source
NIOSH established a recommended exposure limit (REL) of 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA) averaged over an eight-hour workday.
- 18.
NIOSH recommends halving exposure time for every 3 dBA increase in noise level.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: For Everyone (Jan 2024)
Exact wording at the source
For each 3 dBA increase in noise level, NIOSH recommends reducing the exposure duration by half.
- 19.
Apple's headphone notifications alert iPhone and Apple Watch users when media audio has exceeded the equivalent of 80 dB for 40 hours within the last 7 days.
Apple, Headphone notifications on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Headphone Notifications let you know if your audio exposure has been loud enough for long enough to affect your hearing—for example, over 80 decibels (dB) for 40 hours total within the last 7 days.
Chart
WHO safe listening time per week by sound level, hours
WHO guidance for adults; 12h 30 mins and 1h 15 mins shown as decimal hours.
- 80 dB40 hours
- 85 dB12.5 hours
- 90 dB4 hours
- 95 dB1.25 hours
Source: World Health Organization, Deafness and hearing loss: Safe listening (Questions and answers)
How loud and how long people listen
- 20.
Music through headphones at maximum volume reaches 94 to 110 dBA, the same range as sporting events and concerts, according to NIDCD.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (2022)
Exact wording at the source
Music through headphones at maximum volume, sporting events, and concerts 94-110 dBA
- 21.
NIDCD says sounds at or below 70 dBA are unlikely to cause hearing loss even after long exposure.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (2022)
Exact wording at the source
Sounds at or below 70 A-weighted decibels (dBA), even after long exposure, are unlikely to cause hearing loss.
- 22.
Personal listening device users commonly choose volumes as high as 105 dB, BMJ Global Health reports from its 2022 review.
BMJ Global Health, Prevalence and global estimates of unsafe listening practices in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis (Nov 2022)
Exact wording at the source
PLD users commonly choose volumes as high as 105 dB
- 23.
The maximum volume setting on some personal music players can generate about 120 dB(A), comparable to a plane taking off nearby, according to the EU's SCENIHR opinion.
European Commission, Potential health risks of exposure to noise from personal music players and mobile phones (SCENIHR opinion summary) (Oct 2008)
Exact wording at the source
The maximum volume setting on some devices can generate up to about 120 dB(A) which is equivalent to an airplane taking off nearby.
- 24.
Dutch adolescents in the Generation R cohort listened a median of 81.5 minutes on days they used their phone for music, measured by an app from 2016 to 2019.
JAMA Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Objective Measurement of Listening Device Use and Its Relation to Hearing Acuity (Generation R Study) (2022)
Exact wording at the source
The median listening time was 20.2 minutes a day (IQR, 8.8-50.8) when averaged over all days that the application was active and 81.5 minutes (IQR, 46.7-128.0) when calculated over only the listening days.
- 25.
28.8% of the Dutch adolescents exceeded the 100% daily noise dose at least once during the monitoring period.
JAMA Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Objective Measurement of Listening Device Use and Its Relation to Hearing Acuity (Generation R Study) (2022)
Exact wording at the source
The 100% daily noise dose was exceeded at least once during the monitoring period by 28.8% of the participants.
- 26.
80.3% of the Dutch adolescents listened with earphones rather than over-ear headphones.
JAMA Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Objective Measurement of Listening Device Use and Its Relation to Hearing Acuity (Generation R Study) (2022)
Exact wording at the source
Earphones were used by 80.3% of the participants and headphones by 19.7%.
- 27.
67.5% of 154 South African undergraduates surveyed for a 2025 study used earphones daily.
Frontiers in Public Health, Recreational noise induced hearing loss: South African undergraduate students' perspectives (Mar 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Earphone use and listening habits As shown in Table 2 , 67.5% of participants reported daily earphone use, while 22.7% used earphones several times a week.
- 28.
33.8% of the South African students said they listened at high volumes, and 48.1% at moderate volumes.
Frontiers in Public Health, Recreational noise induced hearing loss: South African undergraduate students' perspectives (Mar 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Table 4 shows that 48.1% of participants used moderate volume settings, while 33.8% admitted to using high volumes.
- 29.
18.4% of the South African students frequently ignored device warnings about high-volume exposure.
Frontiers in Public Health, Recreational noise induced hearing loss: South African undergraduate students' perspectives (Mar 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Alarmingly, 18.4% frequently ignored device warnings about high-volume exposure.
- 30.
25% of Apple Hearing Study participants experienced ringing in their ears a few times a week or more, in findings shared in 2021.
Apple, Apple Hearing Study shares new insights on hearing health (Mar 2021)
Exact wording at the source
And 25 percent of participants experience ringing in their ears a few times a week or more, which could be a sign of hearing damage.
Chart
Daily earphone use among South African undergraduates, 2025
Self-reported survey of 154 undergraduates at one university, published March 2025.
- Less than 1 hour16.9%
- 1 to 2 hours34.4%
- 3 to 4 hours29.2%
- 5 to 6 hours13%
- More than 6 hours6.5%
Source: Frontiers in Public Health, Recreational noise induced hearing loss: South African undergraduate students' perspectives
Concerts, clubs and venue sound levels
- 31.
WHO's 2022 Global standard for safe listening at venues and events recommends a maximum average sound level of 100 decibels.
World Health Organization, WHO releases new standard to tackle rising threat of hearing loss (Mar 2022)
Exact wording at the source
The six recommendations are: (1) a maximum average sound level of 100 decibels
- 32.
The WHO venue limit of 100 dB(A) is measured as an equivalent continuous sound level over any 15-minute period, CDC notes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Safe Listening at Venues and Events with Amplified Music, United States, 2022 (MMWR) (Mar 2023)
Exact wording at the source
In 2022, WHO published a Global Standard recommending sound levels at venues and events be limited to no more than 100 dB(A) equivalent continuous sound level § over any 15-minute period.
- 33.
Average sound levels at entertainment venues range from 104 to 112 dB, according to studies cited by BMJ Global Health.
BMJ Global Health, Prevalence and global estimates of unsafe listening practices in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis (Nov 2022)
Exact wording at the source
average sound levels at entertainment venues range from 104 to 112 dB
- 34.
BMJ Global Health estimated that 48.20% of young people attending loud entertainment venues are exposed above the 80 dB for 40 hours a week threshold.
BMJ Global Health, Prevalence and global estimates of unsafe listening practices in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis (Nov 2022)
Exact wording at the source
The model was then used to approximate a prevalence of 48.20% for an intensity threshold of 80 dB and duration threshold of 40 hours per week.
- 35.
About 80% of US adults reported never or seldom using hearing protection at loud athletic or entertainment events, CDC reports.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Safe Listening at Venues and Events with Amplified Music, United States, 2022 (MMWR) (Mar 2023)
Exact wording at the source
In an earlier Porter Novelli Styles survey, approximately 80% of U.S. adults aged ≥18 years reported never or seldom using hearing protection at loud athletic or entertainment events.
- 36.
54.1% of US adults agreed in 2022 that sound levels at venues and events should be limited to reduce the risk of hearing loss.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Safe Listening at Venues and Events with Amplified Music, United States, 2022 (MMWR) (Mar 2023)
Exact wording at the source
More than one half of respondents (54.1%) agreed that sound levels should be limited at venues or events to reduce risk of hearing loss ( Figure ); 75.4% agreed that warning signs should be posted if sound at a venue or event could exceed safe levels, and 61.2% agreed that they would wear hearing protection if it was provided when sound at a venue or event could exceed safe levels.
- 37.
61.2% of US adults said in 2022 they would wear hearing protection if a venue provided it when sound could exceed safe levels.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Safe Listening at Venues and Events with Amplified Music, United States, 2022 (MMWR) (Mar 2023)
Exact wording at the source
More than one half of respondents (54.1%) agreed that sound levels should be limited at venues or events to reduce risk of hearing loss ( Figure ); 75.4% agreed that warning signs should be posted if sound at a venue or event could exceed safe levels, and 61.2% agreed that they would wear hearing protection if it was provided when sound at a venue or event could exceed safe levels.
- 38.
58% of UK adults aged 18 to 28 have experienced hearing loss, tinnitus or both after listening to music, according to a 2025 RNID survey.
RNID, More than half of young adults report hearing problems from loud music (Jul 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Our research shows that 58% of Gen-Z (age 18 – 28) have experienced hearing loss, tinnitus or both after listening to music.
- 39.
Over a third of young UK adults surveyed by RNID in 2025 did not plan to wear earplugs at live music events that year.
RNID, More than half of young adults report hearing problems from loud music (Jul 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Over a third of those we surveyed didn’t plan to wear protection such as earplugs at live music events this year, a rate similar to all other age groups in the survey.
- 40.
Only 24% of UK festival goers named earplugs as an essential item, ranking fifth behind a waterproof jacket at 51%, in RNID's 2025 survey.
RNID, More than half of young adults report hearing problems from loud music (Jul 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Topping the list was waterproof jacket (51%) with earplugs for hearing protection coming in towards the bottom, at number five (24%).
Chart
US adults who agree with safe listening measures at venues, 2022
CDC analysis of the 2022 FallStyles survey of 4,514 US adults.
- Post warning signs75.4%
- Would wear protection if provided61.2%
- Limit sound levels54.1%
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Safe Listening at Venues and Events with Amplified Music, United States, 2022 (MMWR)
Earbud and headphone market
- 41.
Worldwide wearable device shipments reached about 148 million units in Q2 2026, up 2.7% from a year earlier, according to IDC.
IDC, Wearable Devices Market Insights: Worldwide Wearable Device Market, Q2 2026 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Worldwide wearable device shipments reached about 148 million units in Q2 2026, up 2.7% year over year and 1.5% quarter over quarter, according to IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker.
- 42.
Earwear such as earbuds and headphones made up 64.9% of global wearable shipments in Q2 2026 and grew 5.4% year over year, IDC reports.
IDC, Wearable Devices Market Insights: Worldwide Wearable Device Market, Q2 2026 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
It accounted for 64.9% of shipments and grew 5.4% year over year.
- 43.
Apple led the global earwear category with a 17.2% unit share in Q2 2026, according to IDC.
IDC, Wearable Devices Market Insights: Worldwide Wearable Device Market, Q2 2026 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Apple led earwear with 17.2% share.
- 44.
IDC forecasts about 625 million wearable shipments worldwide in 2026, up 1.7% on 2025.
IDC, Wearable Devices Market Insights: Worldwide Wearable Device Market, Q2 2026 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
IDC forecasts wearable shipments of about 625 million units in 2026, up 1.7% year over year.
- 45.
Global true wireless stereo (TWS) shipments fell 0.7% to 82.1 million units in Q2 2026, the first year-over-year decline since Q2 2023, according to Omdia.
Omdia, OWS shipments grow 12% as TWS market remains broadly flat in 2Q26 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Global true wireless stereo (TWS) shipments fell 0.7% year-over-year (YoY) to 82.1 million units in the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest data from Omdia, marking the first YoY decline since 2Q23.
- 46.
TWS shipments in mainland China, the largest market, fell 9.5% in Q2 2026, Omdia reports.
Omdia, OWS shipments grow 12% as TWS market remains broadly flat in 2Q26 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Mainland China, the world’s largest TWS market, accounted for much of the decline, with shipments falling 9.5% as the boost from broader consumer electronics stimulus faded and replacement demand was partly pulled forward into 2025.
- 47.
Open-ear wireless (OWS) shipments grew 12% to 11.1 million units in Q2 2026, lifting their share of all TWS shipments to 13.5%, while conventional earbuds fell 2%.
Omdia, OWS shipments grow 12% as TWS market remains broadly flat in 2Q26 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Omdia estimates that conventional TWS shipments declined 2% in 2Q26, while OWS shipments grew 12% to 11.1 million units, increasing OWS share of total TWS shipments to 13.5% from 12.0% a year earlier.
- 48.
Omdia forecasts open-ear wireless shipments will rise from 43.9 million units in 2026 to 90.5 million in 2030, nearly one in five TWS shipments.
Omdia, OWS shipments grow 12% as TWS market remains broadly flat in 2Q26 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Annual OWS shipments are forecast to increase from 43.9 million units in 2026 to 90.5 million units by 2030, representing nearly one in five TWS shipments.
- 49.
Apple held a 19% share of global TWS sales in Q2 2025, with its sales volume up 5% year over year, according to Counterpoint Research.
Counterpoint Research, Global TWS Market Forecast, Q2 2025 (2025)
Exact wording at the source
Apple maintained a 19% market share with sales volume growing by 5% YoY.
- 50.
The market for TWS earbuds priced at $100 and above grew 14% year over year in Q2 2025, Counterpoint Research reports.
Counterpoint Research, Global TWS Market Forecast, Q2 2025 (2025)
Exact wording at the source
The market size of the $100-and-above segment increased by 14% YoY in Q2 2025.
Chart
Share of global wearable shipments by category, Q2 2026
IDC Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker, unit shares, Q2 2026.
- Earwear64.9%
- Smartwatches25%
- Wrist bands7.4%
Source: IDC, Wearable Devices Market Insights: Worldwide Wearable Device Market, Q2 2026
Questions readers ask
- What is the safe listening limit for headphones?
- WHO and ITU set the adult limit at a weekly dose equal to 80 dB for 40 hours, and 75 dB for 40 hours in a mode for children. The safe time halves for every 3 dB increase, so 90 dB is safe for about 4 hours a week. WHO also suggests keeping device volume below 60% of maximum.
- How many people listen to music at unsafe levels?
- A 2022 BMJ Global Health meta-analysis estimated that 0.67 to 1.35 billion young people worldwide could be at risk, with 23.81% exceeding safe levels on personal devices. In the Apple Hearing Study, one in 10 US participants had weekly headphone exposure above the WHO limit.
- How loud can earbuds and headphones get?
- NIDCD says music through headphones at maximum volume reaches 94 to 110 dBA, and EU scientific advisers found some devices can reach about 120 dB(A). BMJ Global Health reports that users commonly choose volumes as high as 105 dB.
- How loud are concerts and clubs?
- Studies cited by BMJ Global Health put average sound levels at entertainment venues at 104 to 112 dB. WHO's 2022 venue standard recommends a maximum average of 100 dB over any 15 minutes, along with hearing protection and quiet zones for audiences.
- How many earbuds are sold each year?
- Omdia counted 82.1 million true wireless units shipped worldwide in Q2 2026 alone. IDC says earwear made up 64.9% of about 148 million wearables shipped in that quarter and forecasts about 625 million wearables in total for 2026.
Where these numbers come from
We used primary sources only: WHO and the WHO-ITU standard, the European Commission and its SCENIHR scientific committee, NIOSH, NIDCD and CDC, the charity RNID, peer-reviewed studies in BMJ Global Health, JAMA Otolaryngology and Frontiers in Public Health, Apple's published hearing study findings and support documentation, and the market trackers IDC, Omdia and Counterpoint Research. Exposure figures use different definitions: weekly versus daily doses, 80 dB versus 85 dBA thresholds, measured device output versus self-reported volume, so percentages from different studies should not be compared directly. The Apple Hearing Study is a self-selected sample of iPhone and Apple Watch users, and the South African survey covers 154 students at one university. Market trackers define categories differently (IDC earwear, Omdia TWS including open-ear, Counterpoint TWS sales), so their unit counts and shares are not additive. Each figure was checked against the source page on the date shown. We store the sentence each number appears in, and a script loads the publisher's page again to make sure that sentence is still there. Our methodology has the details.
Sources
- Apple. Apple Hearing Study shares new insights on hearing health (Mar 2021).
- Apple. Headphone notifications on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch (Sep 2026).
- BMJ Global Health. Prevalence and global estimates of unsafe listening practices in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis (Nov 2022).
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Safe Listening at Venues and Events with Amplified Music, United States, 2022 (MMWR) (Mar 2023).
- Counterpoint Research. Global TWS Market Forecast, Q2 2025 (2025).
- European Commission. Commission welcomes new safety standards for personal music players (IP/09/1364) (Sep 2009).
- European Commission. Potential health risks of exposure to noise from personal music players and mobile phones (SCENIHR opinion summary) (Oct 2008).
- Frontiers in Public Health. Recreational noise induced hearing loss: South African undergraduate students' perspectives (Mar 2025).
- IDC. Wearable Devices Market Insights: Worldwide Wearable Device Market, Q2 2026 (Oct 2026).
- JAMA Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. Objective Measurement of Listening Device Use and Its Relation to Hearing Acuity (Generation R Study) (2022).
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: For Everyone (Jan 2024).
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (2022).
- Omdia. OWS shipments grow 12% as TWS market remains broadly flat in 2Q26 (Sep 2026).
- RNID. More than half of young adults report hearing problems from loud music (Jul 2025).
- World Health Organization. New WHO-ITU standard aims to prevent hearing loss among 1.1 billion young people (Feb 2019).
- World Health Organization. Deafness and hearing loss (fact sheet) (Mar 2026).
- World Health Organization. Deafness and hearing loss: Safe listening (Questions and answers) (2024).
- World Health Organization. Safe listening devices and systems: a WHO-ITU standard (Feb 2019).
- World Health Organization. WHO releases new standard to tackle rising threat of hearing loss (Mar 2022).
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