New study reveals your headphones are a bacterial nightmare

How dirty are your headphones?

When was the last time you gave your headphones a proper clean?

If the answer is “I don’t remember” or “never,” you’re definitely not alone. But our latest research suggests it might be time to rethink that habit, especially if you’re using them daily.

The dirty truth

To better understand just how dirty our everyday audio devices really are, Boots Hearingcare conducted a swab analysis of different headphone types.

Here’s what we found:

• On-ear headphones: 205 CFU*

• Over-ear headphones: 165 CFU

• Wireless in-ear: 80.5 CFU

• Wired in-ear: 48 CFU

• Toilet seat (for comparison): 21.5 CFU

*CFU = colony-forming units

That makes on-ear headphones nearly 10x dirtier than a toilet seat.

For personal items like headphones, anything above 50 CFU is considered moderately to highly contaminated, meaning most of the devices tested would not be classed as hygienic.

To understand the full picture, we also surveyed over 1,500 headphone users to explore how frequently people use their headphones, how often they clean them:

• 2 in 5 (40%) said they wear headphones every day

• Only 1 in 8 (12.8%) of users clean their headphones daily

• Over a third (34%) clean them just once a month or less

• 1 in 20 (5%) have never cleaned them

How dirty headphones impact ear health

In-ear headphones sit deep inside the ear canal, making them more likely to push earwax further inside, leading to blockages or even hearing issues if not managed properly.

In-house audiologist Hannah Samuels shares: “While in-ear headphones may not directly cause inner ear infections, they can contribute to conditions that lead to serious ear problems

“Earbuds used daily but cleaned rarely create a perfect storm. Wax can become compacted, and the trapped warmth and moisture allow bacteria to thrive, raising the risk of ear infections and hearing loss.”

Hannah’s top tips for clean, safe headphone use

Clean headphones regularly

“Wipe them down with a microfiber cloth and mild soap, or use antibacterial wipes. If you use them during workouts or travel, clean them more often.”

Avoid sharing earbuds

“Sharing can transfer bacteria, increasing your risk of ear infections.”

Skip use during infections

“Don’t wear in-ear headphones if you’re recovering from an ear infection, as you risk delaying healing or causing reinfection.”

Replace ear tips often

“Silicone and foam tips collect wax and bacteria. Change them out regularly for better hygiene.”

When to see an audiologist

Feeling itchy ears, weird discharge or muffled hearing? Your headphones could be to blame.

Don't ignore the signs - book a check-up with a Boots Hearingcare audiologist today.

To learn more about ear health, visit Boots Hearingcare.