Can You Wear Earbuds With a Rook Piercing?

These days, it’s hard to escape not wearing earbuds. Whether you need them for work, bumping your favorite playlist during a commute, or listening to your weekly podcast while at the gym, they’ve become a routine part of most people’s lifestyles.

If you’re considering a rook piercing or you’ve just gotten one, you may be wondering how it may impact your ability to wear earbuds. In this blog, we break down when it’s safe to use earbuds, which types are most rook-friendly, and how to keep your piercing safe without giving up your sound.

Let’s Refresh: What Is a Rook Piercing?

A rook piercing goes through the anti-helix fold of the ear, otherwise known as the thick ridge of cartilage just above the tragus and below the outer rim. It’s a bold, tucked-away cartilage piercing that looks super sleek with a curved barbell or hoop.

Because it’s in a tight, curved part of the ear, the rook can be especially sensitive to pressure and friction, such as the kind caused by earbuds.

Can You Wear Earbuds With a Fresh Rook Piercing?

The unfortunate answer is no, and there are many reasons why. First, let’s discuss the fact that rook piercings, in general, are notoriously difficult to heal.

Rook piercings have a relatively lengthy healing time (anywhere from 6 to 12 months or longer) because their placement is in the ear, where there are nooks and crannies for debris to build up, and they’re harder to keep clean. Another reason they’re more difficult to heal is that they experience more swelling than other cartilage piercings due to how thick and dense the cartilage is. Because it’s more difficult to see your rook piercing in a mirror, cleaning can be challenging.

Why does this mean you can’t wear earbuds with a fresh rook piercing? Well, wearing earbuds presents certain risks, including:

• Friction and pressure: Constant rubbing from earbuds can cause microtears, swelling, and trauma to the healing tissue.
• Irritation bumps: The pressure from earbuds can trigger the dreaded irritation bump (aka that angry little lump that shows up when your piercing gets irritated).
• Infection risk: Earbuds trap heat, sweat, and bacteria, which are all things your healing rook piercing doesn’t want.

Safer Alternatives to Wearing Earbuds While Your Rook Piercing Heals

First, if you do wear earbuds or headphones and you have a pair you use daily, it’s best to bring them with you to your piercing appointment. Your piercer may be able to work with the placement so the piercing isn’t too affected by you wearing them.

However, it’s safer to go with some alternatives while your piercing is healing, such as:

• Over-the-ear headphones: These don’t put as much pressure on the rook area, so they’re your best bet. Just make sure you cleanse them before and after each use.
• Single-ear listening: Just use an earbud in the opposite ear if you only have your rook piercing on one side.
• Low-volume external speakers: Not ideal for when you’re in public, but perfect for when you’re at home or working.

If you can’t opt for a safer alternative, it’s best to hold off on getting a rook piercing until you can.

When Can You Start Wearing Earbuds Again?

Once your rook piercing is fully healed, you can go back to wearing earbuds again as you usually would. However, certain things will affect how comfortable wearing earbuds is, such as:

• Your anatomy: Some ears are larger and have more space to accommodate earbuds around the rook than others.
• Jewelry style: Bulky or high-profile jewelry can make earbuds uncomfortable. Slim, flush-fitting curved barbells are a better option.
• Earbud design: Not all earbuds are the same. Some go deep into your ear canal, while others rest in the outer ear. Try different tips and designs out to see which are the most comfortable to wear with your rook piercing.

The Short Answer: Wait Until It’s Fully Healed

You can wear earbuds with a rook piercing, but you need to wait until your piercing has fully healed first. To learn more about rook piercings, including how long they typically take to heal, visit our comprehensive information and aftercare guide.