Colin Greenwood is the bassist of the English rock band Radiohead. In 2008 he spoke publicly about damage to his hearing and ringing in his ears, and his explanation of how it happened carries a useful lesson for anyone who spends hours in headphones.
What Colin Greenwood has said about tinnitus
In 2008, Greenwood said that wearing the wrong type of headphones during the recording sessions for the Radiohead album In Rainbows left him with impaired hearing and ringing in his ears. In other words, the problem came from the studio, not from a single loud gig.
He also said that his hearing had mostly come back. He described how conversations had stopped sounding muffled, as if they were happening underwater. His account is a reminder that the right gear matters as much as the volume knob.
Why musicians in the studio are at risk
Recording sessions can be long, and headphones put sound right at the ear canal. When the mix is turned up to cut through the room, or when closed headphones leak and players push the level higher, the total dose of sound can climb fast. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends limiting exposure to 85 decibels averaged over eight hours. For every 3 decibels above that, the safe time is cut in half, so at 94 decibels it is about one hour.
Too much noise can wear out the tiny hair cells in the inner ear. This is called noise-induced hearing loss, and ringing is often one of the first warning signs. Common studio risks include:
- Long tracking days with headphones on for many hours, even at moderate levels.
- Click tracks and cue mixes turned up so a player can hear over drums or amplifiers.
- Poorly sealing or poorly matched headphones, which tempt people to raise the volume to make up for leakage or background sound.
- Sudden peaks such as feedback or a loud take played back without warning.
- Little recovery time between sessions, rehearsals and shows.
Studio and headphone habits that protect your ears
Whether you record music, edit podcasts or simply wear headphones on a long commute, a few steady habits keep the sound dose in check:
| Habit | How to do it | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Match the headphones to the job | Use well-sealing closed-back models in noisy rooms so you do not need to crank the level | Good isolation lets you listen at a lower volume |
| Set a ceiling | Use the volume limit on your phone or interface and keep the cue mix as low as works | Caps the daily sound dose |
| Take ear breaks | Remove headphones for a few minutes every hour of recording or listening | Gives the inner ear time to rest |
| Daily ear support | A formula you have reviewed with your doctor | Everyday support for ears and mind |
A free sound level meter app can show how loud a room or a mix really is. Many studios also use one to keep playback levels steady through the day.
Noise-canceling headphones can help on planes, trains and busy streets, because they cut the background rumble that pushes people to turn music up. They are not hearing protection on their own, though. If the music inside them is loud, the ear still takes the full dose. Open-back studio headphones sound natural but block very little outside noise, so they work best in quiet control rooms rather than next to a drum kit.
It also helps to know the difference between a temporary and a lasting change. After loud exposure, many people notice muffled hearing and ringing that fade over hours or days. Doctors call the muffled part a temporary threshold shift. Each episode is still a sign of strain, and repeated episodes raise the chance of permanent damage, so any muffling that does not clear within a day or two is worth a hearing test.
What tinnitus is, in plain terms
Tinnitus is the sense of hearing a sound, such as ringing, buzzing, hissing or humming, when no outside sound is present. Most cases are subjective, meaning only the person can hear it. Rarely, a doctor can hear a sound too, called objective tinnitus, which usually comes from blood flow or muscle movement near the ear. Common triggers include noise exposure, age-related hearing changes, earwax buildup, ear infections and some medicines.
For many people the brain gradually learns to tune the sound out, a process called habituation. Sound therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and hearing aids, when hearing loss is present, can all make the ringing easier to live with. An audiologist or ear, nose and throat doctor can help you choose an approach.
A closer look at the ZenCortex formula
Lately, ZenCortex has come up again and again in conversations among people with ringing ears, and many of them have made it a regular part of their morning routine as a simple habit for hearing and focus. The company describes it as a liquid formula with over 20 carefully selected ingredients, made in the USA, non-habit forming and free of stimulants. Among them:✓ Official site · Free US shipping on 6 bottles · 60-day money-back guarantee See today’s price →
- Grape seed and green tea, two sources of plant antioxidants
- Panax ginseng and astragalus, herbs with a long traditional use for vitality and clarity
- Gymnema sylvestre and capsicum annuum, part of the botanical blend
- Chromium picolinate and maca root, included for overall energy and well-being
How to get started today
- Book a hearing test. An audiologist can measure your hearing, check for noise damage and suggest the right ear protection for your work.
- Log your listening. Our free Tinnitus Diary helps you track headphone hours, loud sessions and how the ringing changes from day to day.
- Add daily support for ears and mind. For this step, many readers choose ZenCortex.
- Choose the best value. The 6-bottle package has the lowest price per bottle, free US shipping and two bonus e-books.
- $49 per bottle on the 6-bottle package (save $780)
- Free US shipping on every 6-bottle order
- 2 free bonus e-books on hearing and memory
- 60-day money-back guarantee
Common questions
Does Colin Greenwood have tinnitus?
In 2008 he said that the wrong headphones during the In Rainbows sessions left him with hearing impairment and ringing in his ears, and that his hearing had mostly recovered since then.
Can headphones really damage hearing?
Yes. Any source of sound can harm the inner ear if it is loud enough for long enough. Keeping the volume moderate, using headphones that block outside noise and taking regular breaks lowers the risk.
Is ZenCortex okay with my current medicines?
Show the label and your full medicine list to your doctor or pharmacist before you start.✓ Official site · Free US shipping on 6 bottles · 60-day money-back guarantee See today’s price →
Where can I buy ZenCortex?
Only on the official website, which lists the packages, the two bonus e-books and the 60-day money-back guarantee.
In summary
Colin Greenwood has said the wrong headphones in the studio left him with ringing ears and reduced hearing, which later mostly came back. Choosing headphones that seal well, setting a volume ceiling, taking breaks and getting a hearing test are simple ways to protect your own ears, and any sudden or one-sided change deserves prompt medical care.
With better headphones and a volume limit in place, now is the perfect time to try ZenCortex, with free shipping on every 6-bottle order and a 60-day money-back guarantee.
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