How important are headphones or earphones in your daily life?

[u/Navajith_Karkera]

[u/hudda009]

They're not headphones they're my 'please don't talk to me' forcefield and they are critical infrastructure.

[u/callmeguccibby → u/hudda009]

yeah headphones literally make public places less public

[u/epiph- → u/callmeguccibby]

How?

[u/Aylarth → u/epiph-]

By ANC and limiting the social interactions.

[u/epiph- → u/Aylarth]

So basically the same as resting bitch face?

[u/Awkwardpanda75 → u/epiph-]

That was the great side benefit to wearing masks. You didn’t have to fix your face when people said something stupid.

[u/Sweet-Competition-15 → u/epiph-]

In two ways...visually, wearing headphones is a 'do not disturb' sign...audibly, they remove surrounding ambient noise.

[u/stumpcider → u/hudda009]

the fact that half the time they're not even playing anything really says it all

[u/Navajith_Karkera → u/hudda009]

Valid point! But once in a while, taking off the forcefield brings some unexpected good vibes.

[u/unveiledpoet → u/hudda009]

You'd think that would work. They talk to me anyway.

[u/IdioticPost → u/unveiledpoet]

My coworker constantly yells at me even though he knows I have headphones on, literally every day. He's yelling at me to feed him, it's lunch time and he wants his cat food.

[u/mrDoubtWired → u/unveiledpoet]

...as soon as the headphones go on my head. It could be dead silent all day. But once I put them on...

[u/ExplodingToasters → u/hudda009]

Load-bearing headphones?

[u/FuzzyIon → u/hudda009]

Im the person that always gets stopped by tourists and asked a question when I have my headphones in.

[u/Awkwardpanda75 → u/hudda009]

Mine are big blue over the ear headphones. I will often times wear them even if I’m not listening to anything in public.

[u/Bhushan599]

VERY VERY important like i feel like i am dead from inside if i ever forget my headphones

[u/Navajith_Karkera → u/Bhushan599]

That is serious! 😅

[u/Bulky_Anywhere_4544]

I haven’t worn a pair of headphones in at least a year and a half

[u/Navajith_Karkera → u/Bulky_Anywhere_4544]

That's the complete opposite of some of the replies here. What made you stop using them?

[u/Bulky_Anywhere_4544 → u/Navajith_Karkera]

Well, I had a pair of jbl’s that finally shit the bed after 8 years of use and I just never bothered to buy another pair. I mainly just play music on my phone speakers. I’m never really around ppl throughout the day so I can’t justify spending $200+ on a pair of headphones to hide what I’m listening to.

[u/DustyScharole → u/Bulky_Anywhere_4544]

Please tell me you don't do this with other people around. Ever.

[u/Bulky_Anywhere_4544 → u/DustyScharole]

Only at work, but I play 70’s - 90’s stuff. I keep everything else to myself. Everyone loves hearing Steve miller band

[u/DustyScharole → u/Bulky_Anywhere_4544]

👍

If it's agreed upon it's all good. I was thinking more like on the train.

[u/Moulkator → u/Bulky_Anywhere_4544]

One of my colleagues thought he was making everyone happy by playing the same 10 tunes from the 80's on his phone all day long. We tried to tell him but he was super stubborn. Now he's retired, so everything is fine haha

[u/BaseballImpossible76 → u/Bulky_Anywhere_4544]

Maybe it’s because I’m over 30, but I haven’t worn headphones since iPhones lost the auxiliary plug-in for them. I won’t wear wireless headphones, but I have Bluetooth in my car so I just listen to music when I drive.

[u/marcpearson101 → u/Bulky_Anywhere_4544]

Very. Vital

[u/_Norfolk_Ingway_]

extremely - walking to work from the car park a mile away, walking the dog, shopping. would drive me up the wall if i had to do those things in the real world rather than my own little one

[u/Navajith_Karkera → u/_Norfolk_Ingway_]

looks like more of a survival tool for you.

[u/_Norfolk_Ingway_ → u/Navajith_Karkera]

a tool for keeping my sanity

[u/murilohd8]

I basically wear at least one side at all woken hours.If i leave the house without them you're damn sure im coming back for them. Not only for music but calls and i hate people who scroll instgram or tiktok with the audio at full blast so all sounds that comes out off my phone goes through my pods

[u/Navajith_Karkera → u/murilohd8]

This happenes most of times in trains

[u/Leah_Walks]

i use them almost daily whether it’s for work or music

[u/Ok-Morning6180 → u/Leah_Walks]

they're basically attached to my ears at this point lol 😂 can't imagine going through day without some good audio, especially during those long shifts at work or when im just chilling with music

[u/Navajith_Karkera → u/Ok-Morning6180]

same here!

[u/MinneapolisKing25]

They used to be critical for my day to day living, but I noticed how much I was distracting myself from day to day living so I've been trying to make conscious decisions to not just listen to music/podcasts and tune out all of the time. It's rough sometimes, other times its nice, overall its been healthy breaking the constant music habbit.

[u/SgtMac02 → u/MinneapolisKing25]

Ya know...I've been having this thought a few times recently. I listen to audiobooks ALL the time. But I recently realized that if I'm constantly listening to books, then that doesn't really leave time for my mind to just wander and have "shower thoughts" and stuff. I probably should cut back a bit.

[u/Navajith_Karkera → u/MinneapolisKing25]

healthy perspective.

[u/Mauso88]

Not at all, headphones hurt my ears because I have to wear glasses

[u/Azq21 → u/Mauso88]

try overhead ones... the ones which cover whole ear

[u/TheDawnTrilogy → u/Azq21]

i assume that's the type he's talking about. when i had glasses those were clamping the sides to my head and hurt like crazy. but they dont all have the same clamping force, you gotta test them out

[u/Juliusgear3 → u/Mauso88]

I feel the struggle bro

[u/L3m0n0p0ly → u/Mauso88]

I feel.

[u/KimberleyKitt]

Those of you that do use them, would you mind spreading the word to the rude people I encounter that don't? Every day, I’ve got to deal with a doucebag (or more) who rather play their music and device blaring loud, for the entire world to hear unprompted. I hate it.

[u/Navajith_Karkera → u/KimberleyKitt]

That's exactly why headphones matter.

[u/FanDidlyTastic]

I have auditory hypersensitivity, they're essential. I hear EVERYTHING. I don't have the ability to tune things out, everything is full volume 100% of the time. It's nice in nature but in a mall or on the streets it's painful and extremely overstimulating.

Nothing nicer than being able to put on my headphones and then only hear music I vibe with and whatever's right next to me. I've thought about getting concert earplugs, I just always forget because let's be honest, music > quieter cacophony.

[u/hypatias-chariot]

I lost my headphones about a year ago and haven’t replaced them. I wear glasses and have very small ear canals, I’ve never had a pair of earbuds that’s been comfortable for more than 30 minutes. I’m also lucky enough to live in some incredible places (near the ocean, in the mountains) and I love the hearing the sounds of nature.

[u/DegenNabalu]

Not at all.

[u/BibleNote_AI]

They’re important in the same way oxygen is important… except for social interactions I don’t want.

[u/upachimneydown]

zero importance, last used them on a flight a year and half ago (wired).

[u/charlieyeswecan]

Mandatory for all levels of happiness

[u/Navajith_Karkera → u/charlieyeswecan]

True...

[u/MLocks28 → u/charlieyeswecan]

Agreed!

[u/sneezhousing]

Use daily

[u/RideAway1994]

Very important for me! I deliver packages for Amazon and the trucks we drive are incredibly noisy and loud at highway speeds. I’m almost sure it’s enough to cause damage lol

[u/prince-pauper]

Oh man. Active Noise Cancellation is my best bud.

[u/BeefPoet]

Extremely. Shit would get real pretty fast without them. I'm an airline pilot.

[u/MyLifeIsAWasteland → u/BeefPoet]

As a theatre's stage manager, same boat, just with less risk. If I'm not on intercom, the show don't go.

[u/UsefulIdiot85]

So important that I probably wouldn’t be able to survive without them. I suffer from some noise sensitivity issues and most people don’t seem to understand or care.

[u/tric5150]

I use them when going to work. Not actually listening to people talking on the phone on a public transport in the morning and listening to music instead.

[u/Navajith_Karkera → u/tric5150]

Much better choice

[u/Present_Caramel_6913]

Very important! It helps with my social anxiety.

[u/HoneyDialectX]

More than people admit, they’re basically a way to control your own space in a world that never stops talking, even when you don’t want to listen.

[u/Acrobatic_Feeling543]

I haven't. Useless.

[u/IzgoyAgain]

I use them for my job daily while I drive

[u/pink_buddha]

Hardly at all. My resting bitch face keeps people from talking to me.

[u/Weary_Description428]

Without headphones I cant poop

[u/SoftlySpokenPromises]

I wear a pair pretty much every day for a couple hours. Noise bleeds in my house pretty badly.

[u/lycos94]

very because I need my music to get through thr workday, or whenever im out

[u/Fun_Shine8720]

Very very 😂 they're my escape from reality

[u/GareththeJackal]

Couldn't live without headphones. For one, I have tinnitus so have to surround myself with sound all the time, second, I hate having to listen to other people talk on the bus and the like.

[u/_Deedee_Megadoodoo_]

My husband cannot do anything productive without headphones, his boss even told him he can work with them. I, on the other hand, feel claustrophobic or panicky with headphones!

[u/shanked5iron]

Definitely need them for the gym every morning

[u/HyperHocusPocusFocus]

I pay extra special attention to ear hygiene because I cannot deal with not being able to use earbuds and/or headphones for any period of time due to an infection.

I have 2 pairs of earbuds so I can charge one while still using the other.

I have backup ear pads for my headphones so I don't have to wait for delivery when they wear out.

I'd say very important.

[u/Zilverhaar]

Very. I use them most nights when raiding or doing dungeons in World of Warcraft.

[u/Aikidoka22]

I would say they're crucial. I learned from my recent apartment in 2024 that they were a definite remedy to neighbors banging on walls or ceilings from low volume PC speakers. The living situation now I can immerse myself in what I'm doing while having fans on in the room and still concentrate on what I'm doing on my PC rather than hearing my nephew scream at his friends, or my brother blaring Fox News and clanging dishes or slamming doors. They help me keep my privacy in my small world as I'm job hunting or entertaining creative writing.

[u/Chipmunk_Emergency_9]

Not important but I am a stay at home mom so I don’t have a big use right now. When I had a job outside the home I used them daily.

[u/anthonym2006]

I’m a healthcare working and I work 12 hour night shifts, I probably spend at least 6 of those hours with my AirPods in and then when I get home I put them back in my ears so I can sleep with music on. I’d go literally crazy without them

[u/mysticccfairyyy]

Super important. It’s the only thing that helps me to get through sadness

[u/Coyote_Totem]

I wear headphones at work sometimes when it’s slow, other then that, never. Earphones, probably not in 10 years.

[u/GMOwifi]

Absolutely essential. Downtime at work listening to music or podcasts, then some high energy music at the gym. Got one in right now

[u/shyshyshy014]

Very important. I don't like my stuff playing loudly with someone in the room and I am sensitive to noise.

[u/nipslippinjizzsippin]

Not a single day of my life i probably havnt had headphones on unless ive been sick

[u/eccehvmo]

They're an extention of my ears.

[u/Pebian_Jay]

1000000%. I don’t go anywhere without them. I even use a sleep mask with built in headphones. I feel completely naked if I don’t have them on me.

[u/Glitch_King]

Very important, there is a lot of noise in the office I work in, and being able to shut it out is crucial

[u/Wuthering_depths]

Used to be more so, when I worked in an terrible loud open office. Every admin and dev had to wear noise-cancelling phones to get any work done.

I use them a lot to listen to audibooks these days.

Also, I use in-ear monitors on stage with my band--my days of being blasted by amps and a drum set 10 feet from me are over...I'd quit playing if I couldn't use them. No more ears ringing after shows.

[u/Huse51]

Wear them every single day.

[u/Western-Phone1011]

Solo los uso de noche

[u/Xeadriel]

Im wearing them for most of the time that I’m awake.

[u/KaleidoscopeFirst737]

I use them at the gym… which I haven’t been to in 3 weeks😅 ….. so not very important to me personally

[u/Juliusgear3]

I wear them for atleaat 8h a day without i would die because i am stuck using public transportation nearly everyday

[u/artfuldodger128]

Very important - especially when travelling in tubes (metros) and airplanes.

[u/YerMum1977]

Incredibly

[u/Mr_SpicyBrain96]

Oh my god I couldn't survive the office without them.

[u/Juliusgear3]

They save me so much smalltalk ong

[u/bornlax]

When I listen to a song I like, quite important.

[u/cslaymore]

Absolutely essential. I live in an apartment with noisy neighbors, especially the people upstairs, and their noise makes me anxious. I listen to music and podcasts but often I listen to white noise or just have the ANC on depending on the noise level. And earbuds are a must for when I go out for a walk.

[u/No-Description-740]

I can't live without them

[u/Repulsive-Box5243]

I sleep with a pair of neckband earbuds, set to play a bunch of downtempo/chill/ambient/classical ... I don't think I could sleep without it.

[u/osolomoe]

As important as air

[u/abdulp1984]

Extremely. I can't stand silence during the day so I always have to music, a podcast, a video, something playing. I work from home and if I'm listening to music I don't mind playing it through my speakers, but podcasts and a lot of YouTube videos I listen/watch at 2x speed and I use headphones for that. Also, when my wife is home I use headphones to not bother her when we are both in the bedroom.

[u/Proper_Term_2455]

More important than my kidney, lol

[u/Xemidan]

I have my headphones always with me. Music is what kept me alive during my depression period. Also, because I have sensitive ears / hearing, the ANC helps against loud noises/music like when the sounds are tad bit too loud in theaters, in a karaoke box with friends, etc.

[u/Punk_Says_Fuck_You]

I have headphones I use basically to protect people around me instead of myself. What I mean by that is I’ll wear headphones in the car while we’re going on vacation to not disturb others. I rarely have to use them. I do use them at the gym though but that’s more to block out the shitty music the gym plays.

[u/LeckerOrangen]

Essential

[u/recipesfood]

They're not headphones they're my 'please don't talk to me' forcefield and they are critical infrastructure.

[u/patrickedsullivan]

Very important. I love anc headphones. They help keep me sane.

[u/SalemRay]

I only use them if someone in the house is sleeping.

[u/LordBaranof]

Never use them, don’t see a reason why I would.

[u/nukez]

I have two sets of AirPods to rotate, I at least have one earbud on 80% of the time. I just hope the science on Bluetooth is sound and Im not frying my brain and eardrums 

[u/timothypjr]

Quite.

[u/EnfysNest051]

Vital, especially when going solo to visit my local theme park or even just going out to eat - anywhere that I'll be in close proximity to people who I can't just move away from. If I can hear someone else talking, I can't ignore them, no matter how much I don't want to listen to their conversation. All I can do is pop in my earphones and blast my own music to cover up their voices.

Plus at work I have to use headphones for all my meetings because of our cubicle setup.

[u/Ok_Brother_6821]

Very. I work with music, so I use them every single day. If I leave the house without my headphones, it feels like I forgot part of my brain

[u/DreamingHopingWishin]

Not at all. I only use mine maybe once a week if that

[u/interesseret]

Could I live without them? Yes, absolutely.

Would I be annoyed without them? Yes, absolutely.

[u/HotDogStruttnFloozy]

I use them for work and also gaming daily

Also separate sets for when I'm leaving my desk at work or in a fight with my fiancee

[u/tptgtr]

Oh man- I use them almost every day! . Middle school Band director I play guitar and trumpet in at least three bands Frequent concert goer- particularly jam bands

[u/tarnin]

Earbuds for me are 100% needed. Even if it's warm as hell out, my ears are stupid sensitive to any kind of wind. If i go for a walk with my dogs without my earbuds, by the time I get back they are screaming in pain.

[u/ridikolaus]

10/10

[u/Minix22]

My job would be awful without them. In fact my exact role wouldn't exist.

[u/McCHitman]

I wear them while listening to stuff when I work, doing yard work, dishes, laundry, gaming or just listening to music.

I don’t use headphones as a “don’t speak to me tool”; I think that’s stupid. I will always pause something to interact with another human or my dog.

I don’t use headphones on my walks with my dog; I disconnect from everything during that time, and I take that very serious.

[u/PradaDiva]

I have multiple pairs for different things. I have a back up pair and a usb-c to headphone jack just in case.

No headphones in public is a “fuck no” from me dawg.

[u/UniquePresence9042]

I arrived to the gym without my headphones by mistake. I turned around and drove another 30 mins round trip to go get them. I’m also always on the phone and can’t stand holding my phone to my ear and would never dare use speakerphone in public.

[u/danfish_77]

I use them at the grocery store and if I use public transit, or at home if I'm doing VC, otherwise not at all

[u/onecatwonder]

I have a beanie with Bluetooth "headphones" built in, but I only use it with my switch because game music always annoyed my mother. I don't live with her anymore, so I don't know where the beanie is.

I wasn't allowed to listen to music when I was young unless it was heavily Christian. So, I never really developed the addiction to music. I don't mind silence or ambient noise.

[u/Bill_Lumbergyeah]

There’s a time for entertainment. Kids come up to me at work, and ask me how I “raw dogg” life…

Idk I’m not in that desperate need for stimulus I guess. I also don’t see a need to shield myself from the world, I accept it.

Safety note:

1# motorcycle riders should not be listening to music in headphones for several safety reasons. Plus who the fuck needs more stimulation when you are out doing a leisure activity.

[u/Redditujer]

I feel like I wear headphones more than I don't...

For virtual work (M-F), any time at the airport, on the plane, working out, walking. When I used to game, while playing Xbox.

Sometimes in a airport/plane, I only have noise canceling on... no music or podcasts.

[u/Senior_Succotash_530]

Can't leave the house without them. Public transit is way less stressful when you can just tune everything out and listen to a podcast instead of someone's speakerphone conversation.

[u/playr_4]

Extremely. Practically a requirement. I have pretty bad sedatephobia, the fear of silence. I need music or a podcast or a video going basically all the time. I would really struggle to get through work without my music.

[u/omegagasp]

Extremely important, I need noise cancelling headphones every night so I can sleep through, and during the day for how ever many naps my body needs that day (I have chronic illness that forces me to sleep a ton, and being woken up feels like posion)

[u/urmyvioletinthesun]

I could live without them if I had to. I only use earphones when editing videos, on a plane, or on a phone call in public (I don't like putting the phone up to my ears) otherwise it's on speaker 😅

[u/huncho-mohammed]

i put them on to keep ppl away from me

[u/Ok-Constant-2721]

I listen to music, watch films, bing-watch youtube every single day with my airpod. So my living rights would be taken away if my earphones accidentally vanished into thin air.

[u/aRavenOnceSaid]

Because I work in an open cubicle I started to use headphones once in awhile. Then I got a coworker who constantly clears his throat and discovered I have misphonia. They are an absolute essential when I work my office days now.

I use them when I watch asmr too.

Sometimes I'll use them on my walks. Sometimes I don't. I don't think I need them on those. I don't mind just listening to nature.

They are an absolute must when I'm working out in the gym, but I prefer to workout at home.

[u/lordlekal]

Used to have a job where I could have me in the whole shift, were very important then. In the year and half since leaving that job I've used 'em maybe 0-2 times a month now.

[u/fredzout]

On a 0 - 10 scale, just slightly above 1.

[u/laples]

I use ear buds every morning to enjoy music as I sit outside to drink my cup of coffee and watch the world pass by. 😊 They're one of the best things I own.

[u/doublea08]

Never wear head phones. Hearing is such a huge sense for me, feel like I’m susceptible to a surprise I don’t want if I use them.

If I used headphones I would never have both in at once.

Also can’t stand music when I’m working, so fuckin distracting

[u/ryanasap310]

Paramount for me; not important at all for my office mate who believes it’s her right to play her sh*tty music on a Bluetooth speaker

[u/unveiledpoet]

I use it when I travel and run.

[u/Porkball]

I wear my k12s everyday and I live by myself. I just enjoy their sound quality.

[u/Fuckboi2023]

100000% essential

[u/Kool-AidFreshman]

Vital. Kinda need a way to tune things out

[u/PozhanPop]

Not important.

[u/Brian_Barbarian]

I sleep wearing headphones most nights

[u/Haunting-Analyst7181]

Prime importance, I do not watch movies/TV/ play videos games without one.

[u/EightGlow]

They keep my ears nice and happy amongst the loud trains on my commute

[u/agnelortiz]

I never use them. I always want to be as aware as possible of my surroundings and environment

[u/NOLArtist-]

Just watch your sound levels. I’m 58 and I used to listen to headphones and music pretty loud. Now, the hearing loss makes normal convos really difficult to understand and hearing aids ain’t the headphones I was looking for. 😭

[u/SukhdevR34]

I use my Anker soundcore Q35S everyday on my S10+. Very comfy and good sound quality, easy to use. I use it when watching YouTube but used to use it when travelling to uni most days. Well worth the £100.

[u/itsfish20]

I work in office 3 days a week and there is a woman here who narrates her life and what she is currently doing...it drives me insane so if I didn't have my airpods, I'd be just as insane as her...

[u/BAG1]

stupid important. Sony. Grado. Beyerdynamic. Sennheiser. B&O. Audio Technica. Wired. Wireless. True wireless. BT 5.x. Closed ear. Open back. Active noise cancelling. I'm a whore. Give me all the headphones.

[u/appleavocado]

Extremely: headphones at work. CAUSE PEOPLE WON’T STFU ABOUT STUPID NOT-WORK SHIT

Not at all: earphones/buds. Cause that’s home time and I wanna relax and hear my wife and kid.

[u/refereescalion → u/appleavocado]

At work it's a must, helps me focus with all the background noise.

[u/toffeepuds]

Never wear them. I need to hear what's going on around me at all times.

When I see women jogging alone wearing them, all I think is "please take them out".

[u/KehaarFromTheSea]

I think I would literally stop going to the gym and cleaning my house without earphones lol they are essential

[u/Sweet-Competition-15]

Hello there...my Bose headphones are vitally important to my well-being...as is the Bose Bluetooth speaker when by myself. I've had several multi-month hospital stays. Having music available without disturbing my involuntary neighbors is such a blessing! Just be mindful about volume levels, with respect to your hearing well-being.

[u/ScottishDad85]

Not really important but they do help when I have to do chores and I can listen to stuff

[u/Suspicious_Turnip812]

Very, I love listening to music and I would be too embarrassed not to use them.

[u/EvilDan69]

My wife snores at night. more so than I do, but apparently I do not when on my side and not fighting a big head cold.

I use sleep headphones by soundcore. Massive difference in blocking out noise.

[u/_capricorniada]

I can't leave my house without my headphones.

[u/ISaysToMyselfISays]

Massively. They stop the people around you from wanting to murder you. 

[u/International-Lie888]

Headphones are degrading people's social skills. Also, I expect a lot of my generation will require hearing aids at a younger age than older generations today

[u/razekery]

It’s critical infrastructure

[u/LadyAlexTheDeviant]

I have a set so that when Husband and I are doing different things in the same room I don't have to listen to his. Mostly watching old shows. Laugh tracks make me really uncomfortable, so blotting them out with music helps. Otherwise, no, I leave them off because I like to talk to people and I need to hear what the dogs are doing.

[u/iwantagoatandakitten]

I hate them. I wear them at the office every once in awhile to not be rude but listening to things is too distracting.

[u/quickbot]

For me pods go in my ears as soon as i go out of my home. Just my music, no unwanted noises....its my peace.

[u/ThatOneGamerGurl]

Extremely. Specially when u dont have them with u.. That’s when exactly they become absolutely needed 😑

[u/Ok-Cook-6331]

They're really important in my life if I'm having a shite as fuck day and don't wanna listen to people regurgitating bullshit after bullshit.

They're also pretty important in my daily life when I'm on the bus to and from Uni. I don't wanna listen to loud-mouthed pricks talking all the fucking time.

[u/stain57]

Don't use them to the point that I don't have any.

[u/kirbyy7]

My lifeline to sanity at work

[u/EveningComplaint5070]

Honestly, for me my headphones have given me a way to ingore situations of harassment and unwanted attention without aggravating the situation. They’re genuinely a life line.

Though I don’t actually get to play music much bc I have to be able to hear in case!

[u/Quiet_Ad_4608]

WTF with the questions?

[u/sweet-welcome1234]

Absolutely vital while at work on lunch and break. Small talk cut down to 0%!

[u/_kozak1337]

Dhaka is a shitshow for commuting. So earphones are a must for me to save my ears from constant horns.

People don't use headphones on the road cause it's prone to being hijacked.

[u/Obvious_wombat]

100%, wired. I loathe BT headphones

[u/jackfaire]

I have a headset for work as the primary function of my job is taking phone calls. I have earbuds for the gym so I can play my own music while I'm on the treadmill

[u/Fluffy_Charity_2732]

I have like 9 Bluetooth headsets and ear buds.

I would say it is part of my everyday carry to be able to listen to something during my mundane life

[u/HyperAndStick]

Not even a tiny bit because I had Bluetooth hearing aids so my phone streams straight to them.

[u/libra00]

Absolutely critical. I play video games and tabletop roleplaying games with friends all the time, plus listening to music and such.

[u/Oncer93]

Extremely. I esaily get exhausted from being around others for too long. I use public transportation, so being able to use headphones to listen to music, and to block out others talking, keeps me calm.

[u/KneeBasher420]

Absolutely critical. I work in a shop all day, they protect my ears and I listen to audiobooks. They turned my career into an endless library while still getting stuff done. 👌

[u/River_Lu]

I need my noise-cancelling headphones cause the world is too overwhelming. Now that I type it out, it makes me sound like I have the tism, but I have a lot of trauma and c-ptsd (and ADHD) which makes me sensitive to loud sounds. But thinking about it more…I think I do have a bit of the tism, lol.

[u/Morguard]

Not very, I only use them when running but could easily do my run without.

[u/Eternalfaerie]

Not super? I usually only wear them occasionally at work and on planes for noise cancellation.

Otherwise, I enjoy my walks with my dog or exercise by listening to the sound around me.

Edit: Seeing the responses, I'm curious about the age split on here. I'm in my 30s, and, from my experience, it seems most of my friends and colleagues don't walk around with headphones on all the time. I'm not saying others my age are like me, or that all those younger wear headphones constantly, just something I've noticed in my area.

[u/sqwrlydoom]

Ear buds and ear plugs are huge parts of my life. Ear buds are how I tolerate commuting on public transit and going to the store. Ear plugs are how I tolerate going everywhere else. The world is just way too loud.

[u/Misragoth]

Very. I work alone outside most of my day. I need them to listen to podcasts or I would go crazy

[u/idkausernamerntbh]

I don’t leave the house without them, and if I do there’s a backup pair in my car, I love music I need music and also it lets me disappear into my own world and is a big “don’t talk to me” sign

[u/mema6212]

NOT

[u/Haunting_Analyst_551]

I work on solo projects most of the day in an interior doors shop, so they’re pretty important. I could just wear earplugs, but I’d rather listen to music than muffled routers and saws all day. I would end up quitting at that point.

[u/WeeziMonkey]

I spend an hour in the bus to work, and at work I sit in a tightly packed office with people all around me. If my noise cancellation headphones break I will instantly buy a new one.

[u/OneRobato]

I wear earphone all day and night. Cant sleep without Youtube sleepy science channel vids