For nurses asking how headphones affect hearing, I recommend the Skullcandy Icon ANC: adjustable noise control and long battery life suit changing routines.
headphones affect hearing at a Glance
• Skullcandy Icon ANC Noise — best for adjustable listening between tasks; pick this if you want ANC, Stay-Aware mode, and a wired backup.
• Skullcandy Icon ANC Noise — best for the same flexible routine in a different color; pick this if you prefer True Black and the same ANC and Stay-Aware features.
• Rotibox Beanie Hat — best for cold-weather walks; pick this if you want music and hands-free calls built into a washable knit hat.
• Audio-Technica ATH-M70x — best for focused monitoring; pick this if you want a wired, closed-back design with swiveling earcups.
• AOC Headphones — best for private TV listening; pick this if you need several TV connection options and a dedicated transmitter.
• 1MORE SonoFlow-Pro Noise Cancelling — best for long listening sessions in noisy places; pick this if you want ANC and long stated battery life.
• Koss UR40 — best for lightweight wired listening; pick this if you prefer a collapsible design and a more open, hear-through style.
• SIMGAL RGB Cat Ear — best for casual gaming and colorful styling; pick this if you want foldable Bluetooth headphones that also work with a cable.
This on-ear wireless model is my pick for nurses who want options rather than a single fixed listening mode. It pairs Bluetooth connectivity with active noise cancellation, adjustable Stay-Aware mode, and an included 3.5 mm cable. The Bone/Orange version has the same listed core features as its True Black counterpart.
For a commute or a quiet break, ANC offers a way to reduce outside sound. When awareness matters, Stay-Aware mode can let some surrounding sound through, with its level adjusted in the Skullcandy app. That flexibility is useful when a nurse’s listening needs change from one setting to another. It is not an open-ear design, though, and awareness mode should not replace attention to nearby people or workplace cues.
The stated battery life is up to 60 hours with ANC off; the sheet also lists an average battery life of 50 hours. Rapid charging is specified as four hours of listening from a 10-minute charge. IPX4 sweat and water resistance, a fold-flat design, and a microphone add practical details for travel and everyday calls. The main trade-off is the on-ear fit: shoppers who prefer earcups that surround the ears may find an over-ear model a better match.
Skullcandy Icon ANC Noise
This True Black version has the same listed combination of on-ear fit, Bluetooth, ANC, adjustable Stay-Aware mode, IPX4 resistance, and a wired 3.5 mm connection. I see it as an alternative based on color preference, not a different feature set.
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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Its long stated battery life may appeal to someone who does not want to charge headphones every day. The folding design also makes it easier to pack than a fixed, full-size headset. App-based EQ and sound personalization provide some control over listening, while the cable offers a non-Bluetooth option when needed.
As with the Bone/Orange version, the useful balance is between sound reduction and the option to hear more of the environment. That may suit off-duty listening, but neither ANC nor Stay-Aware is a substitute for safe listening habits or workplace communication. The main limitation is still the on-ear design, and the product sheet does not establish that it is waterproof or suited to clinical use.
The Rotibox combines a soft acrylic knit beanie with Bluetooth speakers and a microphone. It is meant for outdoor use in cold weather, such as walking, hiking, cycling, or skiing. For a nurse heading to work in winter, it could be an option for the trip to and from a shift, rather than for wearing during patient care.
The controls are built into the left earpiece, so the listed functions include managing tracks and answering or ending calls without reaching for a phone. Bluetooth 5.0 has a stated wireless range of up to 33 feet. The battery is described as providing about eight to ten hours of talk or music, with one to two hours of charging time.
The unusual advantage here is that the listening hardware sits in a hat, so there is no separate headphone band to carry. The trade-off is that it is a winter garment, not a noise-cancelling headset, and the product information says it is not water-resistant. The speakers also mean it is not an open-ear earbud in the usual sense. I would keep it for cold-weather personal listening, not a setting where a nurse needs reliable awareness of conversations and alarms.
The ATH-M70x is a wired, closed-back professional monitor headphone designed for uses such as mixing, tracking, DJing, and post-production. Its over-ear cups are intended to surround the ears, and the listed sound isolation may help limit outside distractions during focused listening.
The 45 mm drivers are specified for a 5 Hz to 40 kHz frequency range. That broad range and the product’s accurate-reproduction emphasis make it more relevant to careful listening and audio work than to a nurse simply seeking a lightweight wireless commute headset. The 90-degree swiveling earcups also support one-ear monitoring.
This is the most work-oriented listening tool in this group, but its wired connection limits freedom of movement compared with Bluetooth options. A closed-back fit can also make it harder to hear what is happening nearby. For nurses, I’d reserve it for off-duty listening in a suitable environment rather than use during active care tasks.
AOC’s over-ear wireless headphones are designed for TV listening, with a transmitter and connections listed for USB, 3.5 mm AUX, RCA, and Bluetooth. That range makes them a practical consideration for someone who watches television with a family member but wants separate volume and sound.
The product information describes a 48-hour battery life and up to 50 feet of wireless range. It also specifies a setup step for some modern smart TVs: select the appropriate audio output and set the audio format to PCM. The memory foam ear cushions and breathable protein-leather material are intended for extended viewing, while swiveling earcups can face outward to serve as a speaker.
This is not a general-purpose nurse headset, and its focus is home entertainment rather than calls or clinical communication. Its TV transmitter and multiple connection types are useful strengths, but the setup may require adjusting television settings. The listed noise control is passive, not active noise cancellation.
The SonoFlow Pro is an over-ear Bluetooth headphone for travel, work, and longer listening sessions. Its feature set includes QuietMax active noise cancellation, 40 mm drivers, a microphone, a 3.5 mm connection, and LDAC support. For nurses who want headphones for a commute or time off, the ANC may help reduce background noise without requiring a high volume to compete with it.
The stated battery life is up to 100 hours in standard mode and 65 hours with ANC on. The listed quick-charge claim is ten hours of playback from five minutes of charging. These figures are useful for comparing the design on paper, though actual listening time can vary with use and settings. The adjustable fit and soft protein-leather cushions are intended for extended wear.
This is a strong option for someone who values over-ear comfort, wireless listening, and noise reduction. Its drawback for a nurse is that ANC and full ear coverage can make surrounding sounds less noticeable. I would choose it for off-duty listening, not for a task where hearing coworkers or alarms is essential.
The Koss UR40 is a wired over-ear headphone with a collapsible design. Its screened earcups are described as open and hear-through, which gives it a different character from the noise-cancelling models here. That may appeal to someone who dislikes feeling sealed off while listening at home or during a quiet personal break.
The listed frequency range is 10 Hz to 20 kHz, and the headphones use titanium-coated diaphragms. A breathable mesh headband and memory-foam cushions are specified, along with a 3.5 mm connection. Its foldable build is useful for packing, while the wired setup avoids dependence on a wireless connection.
For nurses, the open-style design may be preferable when some ambient sound awareness matters during personal listening, but it does not make these appropriate for every workplace task. The cable restricts movement, and there is no listed microphone or Bluetooth connection. I’d consider them for simple, wired listening rather than calls on the go.
The SIMGAL B90 is a foldable over-ear Bluetooth headphone with cat-ear styling, a built-in microphone, and a 3.5 mm audio cable. It is aimed at casual use with phones, computers, tablets, and gaming devices. For a nurse buying for a child or teen, the playful design may be the main draw.
Bluetooth 5 is listed, with a wireless range of up to 10 meters. The ability to use a cable as well as Bluetooth gives it two listening options, and the foldable design can make storage simpler. The product information also lists a 50 mm dynamic driver and volume control.
Its central trade-off is that the design prioritizes casual style rather than environmental awareness: the listed noise control is none, and the earcups cover the ears. The available information does not specify a battery life or water-resistance rating, so I would not choose it for long shifts, wet conditions, or situations requiring dependable noise management.
I compared the published features and specifications for each model, focusing on fit, listening modes, connectivity, battery information, and practical use cases.
The ordering is my independent editorial opinion, and no brand paid for placement.
Listening at high volume for long periods can put hearing at risk. Headphone type alone does not establish safe listening; keep volume moderate, take breaks, and stay alert to surroundings when needed.
No. These eight products include on-ear and over-ear headphones, plus a Bluetooth beanie, but none is identified in the product information as an open-ear earbud. Nurses who need to hear people and alarms should consider fit and workplace rules carefully.
No. The list includes no in-ear earbuds with an IPX7 rating. The Skullcandy models are rated IPX4, and the Rotibox beanie is listed as not water-resistant.
Consider whether you need noise cancellation, a way to hear more of your surroundings, a microphone, and enough battery life for your routine. My final recommendation is the Skullcandy Icon ANC for nurses who want both ANC and adjustable Stay-Aware mode, while keeping it for commuting and personal listening rather than tasks that demand full attention.
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