Key takeaways
- Compressed audio adds listening effort.
- Keep volume at 60% or lower.
- Turn on captions.
- Take breaks between calls.
- Give ears headphone-free time.
Remote and hybrid work means many of us spend hours a day in headsets. Here's how to make it easier on your ears.
Why video calls are tiring
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Compressed audio | Speech is harder to understand |
| Lag and talking over | More mental effort |
| Background noise | Harder to pick out voices |
| Back-to-back meetings | No recovery time |
Ear-friendly call habits
- Keep headset volume at 60% or lower
- Use noise-cancelling headphones
- Ask participants to mute when not speaking
- Turn on live captions
- Use a good microphone yourself
- Schedule 5–10-minute breaks between calls
- Try audio-only or walking calls
- Spend time each day without headphones
Tinnitrol supports focus and healthy hearing as part of a remote-work wellness routine.
See an audiologist if you often struggle to understand speech on calls; it can be an early sign of hearing loss.
Sources
- Bailenson JN. "Nonverbal overload: a theoretical argument for the causes of Zoom fatigue." Technology, Mind, and Behavior, 2021.
- World Health Organization – "Make Listening Safe."
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association – "Hearing and remote work."
Common questions
Why are video calls tiring?
Compressed audio and lag make the brain work harder to understand speech.
What headset volume is safe?
Keep it at about 60% or lower.
Do captions help?
Yes, they reduce listening effort.