AirPods as Sensory Tools: How Earbuds Help People Cope With Urban Noise

Executive Briefing

• Reveals average daily words spoken fell 28% between 2005 and 2019, from 16,600 to under 12,000
• Notes over 145 million Europeans face unhealthy transport noise levels per WHO thresholds
• Argues earbuds function as informal sensory buffers, aiding introverts and neurodivergent users
• Highlights Apple's AirPods Pro hearing assistance features blur line between lifestyle and accessibility
• Challenges assumption that earbud use equals antisocial behavior, framing it as personal noise management