Apple introduced their headphones in 2007, and they became a staple in the music listening industry. These headphones belong to Alahna who possess deep and profound appreciation for music. These headphones are more than just a device for her. They are her solitude in a world full of stress and chaos. Each scratch and worn ear pad show the countless hours she spends lost in her own world of melodies and lyrics. Gifted these headphones from her ex-boyfriend in 2022. He left Alahna and broke up their relationship, she decided to not part with the headphones either. She wears them every day to remember her strength and to use the headphones to her best ability. Alahna mutes the loud society with her headphones and finds peaceful solitude and escapism.

This object is part of the “Transitions” section of the Artifacts of Experience exhibition designed by University of Cincinnati students in the “Introduction to Public History” course in 2023.
We encourage you to explore the other objects in our collection.

Transcript

Ramsey Newton [RN]: Thank you for doing this interview. Can you tell me about your headphones?

Alahna Levsar [AL]: Yeah, I can. I got these headphones as a gift from my ex-boyfriend a couple of years ago. They hold a lot of mixed memories both good and bad.

[RN]: If it is okay, could you share some of those good and bad memories?

[AL]: These headphones were with me through late night road trip for away wrestling meets because I wrestled in high school. I had them for late night conversations and just moments of reflection. They became a part of our shared experience because we would listen to music together, which was something we had a lot in common, or I would use them to call him when we were apart.

[RN]: Could you tell me if there is any part of the headphones you really like?

[AL]: Yes, I love the headphones because they are super comfortable and noise canceling. My ex- boyfriend knew how much I enjoyed music and like I said before it was one of the things, we had the most in common.

[RN]: How have your feelings towards headphones changed since the changing of your relationship?

[AL]: When we broke up, it was difficult to use them. He got them for me, bought them with his own money, and it was still a symbol of his love for me. But over time and as I got over him, they became a symbol of the period of my life. They represent to me a time of growing up, strength, and cherishing those moments with him.

[RN]: Thank you for talking about this with me.

[AL]: Thank you for letting me talk about this.