Doctors warn against extended use of earphones and ear pods can harm hearing
New Delhi: If you regularly use earbuds or earphones, prolonged usage can severely damage your ear health, warned Experts.
Continuous exposure to loud volumes through headphones or earphones greatly increases the risk of permanent hearing loss. Listening at high levels frequently can harm the delicate structures in the ear, leading to irreversible hearing damage. It is important to monitor volume levels and take breaks to protect your hearing.
This risk is particularly high among young people who often use these devices for long periods. Using noise-cancelling headphones at moderate volumes can help reduce the need to increase the sound, offering additional protection for your hearing. Regular hearing check-ups are also advised.
Excessive noise levels, especially around 130 decibels, can cause severe ear pain and damage tiny hair cells in the inner ear. Since these cells cannot regenerate, this can lead to partial or complete deafness over time if safe listening practices are not followed.
“Ear pain occurs when sound exceeds 130 decibels, and high bass earphones can cause damage. Use sparingly and avoid sharing earphones to prevent infection spread.” Dr Rakesh Verma, an ENT expert told IANS.
Earphone use can cause noise-induced hearing loss, tinnitus, and hyperacusis, while poor hygiene and enclosed environments can lead to ear infections. Moderation, proper hygiene, and noise-cancelling options are recommended.
“Prolonged use of earphones, especially at high volumes, can cause noise-induced hearing loss, tinnitus, and hyperacusis. Poor hygiene practices and the enclosed environment can lead to ear infections like otitis externa or swimmer's ear. To protect hearing, use in moderation, maintain proper hygiene, and consider noise-cancelling options,” Dr. Vijay Verma, Consultant, Allergy & ENT Specialist at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, told IANS.
Low-volume use of earphones, maintaining proper hygiene, and considering noise-cancelling options to protect hearing, are the penultimate points.
To protect your hearing, use these devices in moderation and at a low volume, practise good hygiene, and consider noise-cancelling options.