Headphones and hair loss. Need help picking new headphones.

[Wazgrel]

Hey guys!

 

Okay so I need help with picking new good headphones for gamers, but with a special headstrap...

 

But first let me give you some backstory. Last january I grew out semi-long hair again (think Brad Pitt from Killing Them Softly long), and being the dumbass that I am - I really went to town with comb and hairdryer which caused very minor hairloss on the top of my head. It wasn't noticable, but it was enough for me to start flipping my shit because I thought I was going bald. But I still wasn't sure what was causing it. And being the paranoid that I am I started ruling out the problems. It could've been combing, hairdryer, hair pomade, frequent shower, increased testosterone production from going to the gym (though I don't think it works like that), or headphones that I wear most of the day, being the basement dweller that I am. And I figured that the headphones is a very realistic option because the headphones strap was sitting right on top of the place where my hair population was less dense at the time.

 

Also, since I'm using Razer Kraken 7.1, the headstrap on that thing is pretty hard, and is pushing on my scalp like a mofo. So what I did is I stopped using hairdryer as much, I stopped scalping myself with a comb, and I started wearing the headphones at a slightly adjusted angle (almost on my forehead), which made me look like an idiot and was not comfortable at all. 

 

And 2 months later that balding spot magically disappeared.

 

So this story became a big joke for me, and for the rest of the year I was telling it to everyone, having a nice laugh. Until yesterday, which happens to be january again, I went to my barber and he said that there's less hair there again. Only at a slightly different part. Not as bad as last year, but it's there. Which happens to be the part where I started wearing my Kraken headphones lately. He also said that it's not genetic hair loss, and it looks more like it fell out due to pulling, like when girls make very tight ponytails.

 

There could be other reasons for this, like maybe it's because it's winter and very cold. Or it could be because I'm using comb again (only I'm being very careful with it this time). But the most obvious suspect is my headphones, because on Razer Kraken the strap is almost rock hard, and sometimes it can really hurt my head, especially on the part where it's sitting on. 

 

And so here's my question and the reason why I'm posing it here. I think I remember watching one of Linus reviews of some headphones, where the strap was sitting on the sides of the head and not the top. But I tried searching for it and couldn't find it, so I'm not sure if I dreamt it up or I just can't find the video.

 

Basically the headstrap was like on my diagram, exibit 2.

 

 

Could you guys please tell me if there are good headphones with a strap like this, so I can rule out the headphones as a prime suspect once and for all? 

 

Thanks.

[Bl00dgod]

welcome to the forum @Wazgrel and try following your topics

 

interesting story and detective work

 i heard wearing headphones for a long time isnt "healthy" too so i swapped from headphone to speakers if skype/ts3 etc is not in use

[RuLeZ]

I really dont think that this can happen.

[Megan]

Out of curiousity can you not try some of those cheap 99c headphones that clip onto your ear? See how you fare with those.

 

Or just ask a barber? Now a days they're pretty educated on these things.

 

P.s. I love the diagram.

[Praesi]

Just use a light HS like Sennheiser GameOne. And hairloss isnt coming from any HS, no matter how heavy it is.

[elkenrod]

Use whatever headphones you want.

 

Just fashion yourself your own custom pad

 

options

exist

out

there

 

Scissors and 3M tape do wonders.

[LogicalDrm]

I'm not sure there is band that would rest on side of the head instead of top. There are many which have band to go behind your neck thought. Also, if you get headphone with circular cups, you can pretty much wear it as you like. Third option would be to get high-end in-ears.

[Wazgrel]

Thanks for the amazing replies guys!

 

I've been digging around Linus videos and I've finally found headphones I've been looking for. It's Audio Technica ATH-AG1.

 

But now as Elkenrod pointed out apparently I could buy bonus cushions for my headphones. I had no idea I could buy extra cushions.

 

And also, Bl00dgod mentioned - headphones/speakers combo is a good idea which did not occur to me as an option for some reason.

 

So right now I'm split.

 

I can buy ATH-AG1, which seem to be like a great option and Linus said they're solid. The downside is that I'll have perfectly good Krakens laying around collecting dust.

 

Or I can buy some good stereo speakers and an audiointerface for them like those Line 6 Pod things. Because I don't think it's wise to get good speakers and put them directly into a motherboard (I have Asus Sabertooth 990FX R2.0). And buy additional cushions for my Krakens. The problem with this is that I never used speakers, and not sure how those Line 6 audio interfaces work. So I'm not sure how convinient it is to switch between Krakens/new speakers. If it's not 'click-of-a-button' process, then eventually I'll get lazy and stop bothering with the speakers.

 

Any ideas what should I go for?

[GoodBytes]

It could be hereditary which is usually the case. If it is, then sadly there is nothing you can do, but you can check with a professional just to make sure, but there is no stopping it. You can perhaps, maybe, slow it down, with hair product that re-enforce the grain/scalp and hair itself, but that is about it.

If that is not the case, seek professional to make sure that it is really due to coming your hair with hair dryer, and not other heath related problem, like a poor diet for your body (we are all different), and some supplement in food or pill can taken to balance things out.

[Sunshine1868]

same thing happened to me, thats when I opted for a Lepai 2020a+ amp (that cheap thing everybody raves about on the internet) and a cheap pair of bookshelf speakers. Great audio, and no headphones. the thinning spot is thickening up and I am much happier about that.

[Wazgrel]

It could be hereditary which is usually the case. If it is, then sadly there is nothing you can do, but you can check with a professional just to make sure, but there is no stopping it. You can perhaps, maybe, slow it down, with hair product that re-enforce the grain/scalp and hair itself, but that is about it.

If that is not the case, seek professional to make sure that it is really due to coming your hair with hair dryer, and not other heath related problem, like a poor diet for your body (we are all different), and some supplement in food or pill can taken to balance things out.

 

Yeah I've read up on this stuff alot last year. I really don't think it's genetic, and my barber said that it's definitely isn't. Hair loss in my case is very minor, not consistent, and happens to appear when I'm being careless with how I'm wearing my headphones, and when I wear them a lot. Once I stopped wearing them for awhile - it grew back and was fine for a year, until I got careless again. And it looks like it's mechanical damage, like from ponytails.

 

I would go to a professional or a 'hair doctor', but I don't think we have those here in Ukraine. lol Even if we do though, for my own safety, I tend avoid health institutions around here, unless something really bad happens. Speaking from experience.

[kent1147]

First of all, that was a pretty good diagram in your original post!  From the look of that, I immediately thought: He's talking about Audio Technica.  Second of all, I'm wondering if *any* headphones that touch your head will cause hair loss.  Even if you were to get Audio Technica headphones with the "wings", you might just start getting bald spots on those two contact points where the "wings" touch your head.

 

So, I see a few options here.

 

1. Get extra cushioning for your existing Razer Krakens.  
   Pros:  It's cheap.  
   Cons:  May still cause baldness in areas where pads touch your head;  you're still stuck using Razer Krakens.
    
2. Buy Audio Technica ATH-AG1.  
   Pros:  "Wings" design significantly reduces pressure / tightness on your head compared to headphone bands;  significant improvement in audio quality;  integrated mic into headset.  
   Cons:  $200 price tag;  paying a premium for integrated headset.
    
3. Buy entry-level audiophile headphones from Audio Technica (e.g. ATH-M50x, ATH-A700), and add a microphone yourself (Zalman ZM-1, Antlion ModMic)
   Pros:  "Wings" design significantly reduces pressure / tightness on your head compared to headphone bands;  significant improvement in audio quality;  flexibility to choose headphones with sound signature that pleases you.   integrated mic into headset;  cheaper than buying an integrated headset of similar audio quality.  
   Cons:  $200 price tag;  need to deal with extra cable running from micrphone (velcro straps make this a lot easier).
    
4. Buy audiophile-quality earbuds with the sound signature you want, with either an integrated mic or a separate desktop microphone.
   Pros:  Lighter and smaller than headset;  nothing touches your head, so zero chance of friction contributing to balding;  significant improvement in audio quality over Razer Krakens;  can be used in other non-computer use cases (e.g. smartphone, gym, airplanes, etc);  potential of getting In-Ear Monitors (IEMs) for passive noise reduction will dramatically reduce external background noise.
   Cons: Models with integrated mics may have poor mic quality when used on a computer;  $50 - $300 price tag;  possibly requires additional desktop mic.
    
5. Buy speakers and a DAC.  Because speakers are cool, and DACs are cool.
   Pros:  Speakers are cool, and you will get many friends from owning them;  if you don't buy garbage, you'll be highly likely to have superior sound quality compared to Razer Krakens;  external USB DAC will be superior to onboard audio and Razer Kraken onboard DAC;  ability for other people besides you to hear sound.
   Cons:  Expect to spend $300 - $550 on a respectable configuration on this.

 

Our of these, I'd say try #1 first (pads), because it's cheap and easy.
If you want a new toy, and money is no object, get #2 or #3 (a new Audio Technica headset).  It will sound much better than anything Razer makes.

If you want to absolutely preserve your hair, with no risk to it, get #4 (earbuds);  especially noise-isolating IEMs, since they're fantastic on planes / trains, and can get great sound quality.

 

If you go with #5 (speakers + DAC), I have advice for you:

 

>>  USB DAC:  Fiio E10K USB DAC and headphone amplifier for $125 (Amazon link).  They put the DAC outside the motherboard and PC case to reduce EMI noise... something about which you are already educated.  It has headphone-out jack on front, and line-out on back.  You can use a Y-splitter cable to connect that Line-Out to powered bookshelf speakers that sit on your desk, and be able to listen to either / both audio options without having to hit any switch or change anything in software.  If you want to stop listening to your speakers, just turn the volume knob on the powered speakers down to 0 (OR UP TO 11!!!!!!).  If you want to stop listening to your headphones, just take them off and hang them on your headphone stand or banana holder (seriously.  Banana holders make great, inexpensive headphone stands).   It also helps that Fiio is one of the most respected "bang-for-your-buck" brands in audio gear among headphone geeks.

I use this exact setup today, with the previous-generation model (Fiio E10) connected to a gaming headset (Sennheiser G4ME Zero) and powered bookshelf speakers via line-out (Swans M200).

 

>> 2.0 Stereo Powered Bookshelf Speakers:  Ok.  So, the gold standard on this for computer use is the Swans M200 (made by HiVi).  They are absolutely beautiful, well-constructed, serious-business bookshelf speakers.  Very highly regarded by audiophiles for music;  and computer gamers willing to spend the money to buy the audio quality they can deliver.  Currently on mark / revision 3 (Swans M200 MKIII).  Expect to spend a bit under $300 for them.  If you want a subwoofer, throw in about another $100 for an 8" subwoofer, and turn this into an audiophile-quality apartment / dorm-shaking 2.1 speaker setup.

 

Option #2 is powered bookshelf speakers from M-Audio.  I haven't ever used anything from them.  But I know that they are also highly regarded by both audiophiles, audio professionals, and computer gamers.  

 

Option #3 is powered studio monitors from Monoprice for about $170 (link).  Never used these either, but reviews incredibly well (and better than M-Audio) from just about anyone who uses them.  Given their price of $170 from Monoprice, they probably compare in quality to the Swans M200's.  If you're not familiar with Monoprice, they are known for selling high-quality white-label items, and pricing them to be an incredible bang-for-your-buck.  First started with cables & adapters;  then expanded to 27" 1440p computer monitors;  then expanded into just about anything electronic.

 

Subwoofer:  Doesn't really matter, since it just spits out low-frequency non-directional sound.  Can't go wrong with a Monoprice 8" Subwoofer for $60 (link).

 

-------------------------------------------

 

Lots to read, but hope this helps.  If you do go with option #3 (Audio Technica headphones + mic) or option #4 (earbuds), make a post on this forum for advice.  Lots of people here have gone down that route, and can help you pick what to buy.

[Wazgrel]

Oh wow, thank you very much kent1147. Your posts answers all of my questions.

 

Due to lack of space on my table I don't think I can put speakers that big anywhere, so I guess I'm going with Audio Technica.

 

And I don't think it will cause any hair loss on the sides, because when the headstrap is pushing from top - it kind of pulling on hair against the grain... If you know what I mean. At least in my case. And there's no way to do something like that on the sides, because they all go naturally down.

 

And I actually like the FiiO E10K USB DAC thing... Since Audio Technica ATH-AG1 has both USB and 3.5mm connector, do you think it would give better sound if I used it with FiiO E10K? I know ATH-AG1 has it's own usb DAC, but I wonder if it's going to make much of a difference. Plus maybe there's a way to use it with my Blue Yeti microphone? 

[kent1147]

From what I hear, the DAC that comes with the Audio Technica ATH-AG1 is pretty good.  Linus (from LinusTechTips) called it "Surprisingly good."  Besides... it's Audio Technica.  They're in the business  of making audio (unlike computer peripheral companies that are in the business of putting flashy colored LEDs on keyboards and mice).  They're not going to make a top-end $300 (MSRP) gaming headset, and stick a crappy $3 USB sound card in there.  So I say use it, and see how you like it.  If you need better, then you can always upgrade later to another external USB DAC.

 

You can use any headset / headphones with a Blue Yeti mic.  You simply plug the Yeti mic in via USB, and select that microphone as your primary microphone.  

 

I should also say that depending on what you're doing, using a Blue Yeti mic can be a bit overkill.  If you're recording podcasts or production-quality audio, then by all means use the Blue Yeti.  But if all you're doing is in-game VoIP or game streaming, then the Yeti mic is overkill.  Remember, for something like in-game VoIP, you don't need studio-level mic quality.  You just need something "good enough" for people to understand you.  And the mic on a headset from a company like Audio Technica will be more than "good enough" for that.

[Wazgrel]

Yeah I use Blue Yeti for recording voice over and additional sounds for my animated videos for YouTube. But I also use it for Skype and games.

 

Okay then I guess I'll go for just Audio Technica ATH-AG1. Again, I can't thank you enough for your feedback, you've been a huge help! As well as the rest of the people who replied! Thank you everybody!

 

Now I hope I'll be able to find it, it seems to be out of stock in most of the online stores where I live.

[Wazgrel]

Hey everybody, sorry for resurrecting this thread, but I thought I'd give you an update if anyone's still wondering if buying new, lighter headphones solved my issue.

 

I figured I should wait long enough to provide a definitive answer, because when I originally was searching the forums in all related topics on the internet - nobody ever came back with an update. It has been almost 1 year, so I think it's time.

 

So my issue was the fact that my old Kraken headphones were messing up my hair once I grew it from short haircut to a bit longer. It was pushing against my scalp really bad to the point that I noticed a balding spot. It looked like it was not pattern baldness but rather a mechanical damage to my hair follicles. 

 

Originally I suspected that I was losing hair because of these factors - headphones; combing; very hot hair dryer; seasonal (some people shed some % of hair in autumn-winter); stress; or going to the gym which somehow affected my testosterone levels which led to balding.

 

Here's the result of my findings. Once I got new headphones (I bought Audio Technica ATH-ADG1) - 2 months later the hair grew back. Just like Sunshine1868 said. A year later it looks as good as new, and in fact I feel that it's much stronger than it was before.

 

I'm still combing and using hair dryer (thought not as hot) after shower.

I lived through autumn and winter of 2016 and I did not shed any more hair than I was usually shedding.

I've had a breakup this summer which I took pretty hard, and I did not start losing hair - so stress is out of the question.

And I've upped the intensity in the gym. I'm following a bodybuilding program since february 2016, so I'm in the gym 5-6 days a week. I'm lifting extremely heavy weights so my testosterone levels are definitely increased, not to mention other hormones that the body produces during lifting... So even though my gym theory was ridiculous - I can tell now for sure that it definitely didn't affect my hair loss.

GoodBytes also suggested that it could be my diet, but it's out of the question because I don't eat junk food, I almost never reheat stuff, and I don't drink alcohol (aside from a couple of beers a year).

 

The issue was in Krakens after all. Razer Krakens are pretty heavy, bulky headphones, with a very rough headstrap. I was wearing them almost everyday for very lenghty periods of time. Because my hair was longer than usual and I had to slick it back, that headstrap was pushing against the grain. It was doing it for months and caused damage to the hair. Just like tight ponytails do. So I guess mystery solved.

 

I think I should also mention that headphones do not cause male pattern baldness. MPB is completely genetic. My case was a little different.

 

So if any of you guys are losing hair, and suspect it might be your extensive use of headphones - consider wearing a pair that does not push against your head for 2-3 months.

 

And to review my Audio Technica ATH-ADG1 - they're very good stereo headphones. I miss the 7.1 effect of Krakens, and bass levels seemed to be a little weak to me at first. But after awhile I got used to it, and noticed that they sound much clearer and crispier than Krakens. My only gripe with them is the material they're made of. It's cheap, almost chinese-toy grade plastic, I don't really like the way they feel and look. And the usb adapter they provide is poorly put together, and is made of very cheap plastic as well. Because of that it's very easy to accidentally yank it out of the usb port. IMO they could've provided something better for the asking price.

 

In any case, thank you guys again for helping me out. If I face any tech issues or questions in the future I'll definitely come back here, and recommend you guys to my friends. Cheers!

 

P.S. I hope mods will forgive me for necroing this thread.

[GoodBytes]

Thanks for the update! Glad you found out what it was.

 

14 minutes ago, Wazgrel said:

P.S. I hope mods will forgive me for necroing this thread.

That is why we don't auto-lock old threads. It is to allow nice updates like this.

[Mom22nTrinity]

So glad I found this thread! I have 2 teens who game a lot, and both have balding spots from their headphones. Since that doesn't run in the family I will def try lightweight headphones. Just need some large enough for their big heads and ears. Thank you for good information on this thread. Might be able to find Audio Technica ATH-ADG1. I don't know what necroing means, but I am sorry too.

[GoodBytes]

21 minutes ago, Mom22nTrinity said:

So glad I found this thread! I have 2 teens who game a lot, and both have balding spots from their headphones. Since that doesn't run in the family I will def try lightweight headphones. Just need some large enough for their big heads and ears. Thank you for good information on this thread. Might be able to find Audio Technica ATH-ADG1. I don't know what necroing means, but I am sorry too.

Necroing means that you are reviving a dead thread.