‘AirPods Ear’: ENT Surgeons Report Rising Ear Canal Injuries From Prolonged Earbud Use - Dr Deepti Koganti

Walk through any metro station or café today and you’ll spot the same scene—young adults wearing earbuds for hours on end, sometimes from morning commute to late-night calls. This habit looks harmless on the surface. But inside ENT clinics, a new pattern has been emerging quietly: irritated ear canals, cracked skin, recurrent fungal infections, and in some cases, small pressure wounds deep inside the canal.

Many doctors have begun referring to this cluster of problems as “AirPods Ear,” not because the device is faulty, but because long hours of uninterrupted use are taking a toll on the delicate skin inside the ear.

Most people forget that the ear canal is lined with a very thin layer of skin—far thinner than facial skin—and it is not meant to be pressed on continuously. When earbuds sit snugly for hours, especially in warm, humid weather, the skin softens, loses its natural oils, and becomes more vulnerable to friction.

Over time, this combination starts a cycle of micro-injury that many users don’t even notice until the ear becomes painful, itchy, or starts producing discharge.

The Subtle Ways Earbuds Are Hurting the Ear Canal

ENT surgeons say the damage tends to appear in one of three ways:

1. Mechanical pressure injuries

Tight earbuds rub against the canal wall. The more a person talks, chews, jogs, or moves their jaw, the more the device shifts slightly and irritates the same spots. This repeated friction leads to small cracks or abrasions that are often mistaken for “random itching.”

2. Moisture and sweat trapping

Earbuds trap heat. Add sweat, extended calls, and gym sessions, and you get a warm, enclosed space—ideal for fungus and bacteria. This is why many young users show up with fungal otitis externa, a stubborn infection that makes even gentle touch painful.

3. Contact reactions and skin breakdown

Certain silicone materials can irritate sensitive skin. When the skin barrier is already softened from prolonged use, even minor irritation becomes amplified, leading to redness, peeling, and soreness.

These injuries don’t always cause dramatic symptoms at first. Instead, they linger as low-grade discomfort: a mild ache when pressing the tragus, a sense of fullness, or flaking near the canal entrance. Many people push through it, unaware that the repeated insult is worsening the underlying inflammation.

Why the Problem Has Spiked Now

A lot of this trend seems linked to how earbuds are used today. With remote work, video calls, gaming, and long commutes, people often keep them in like a second skin. Some wear them while exercising, others fall asleep with them on.

Many switch between phone calls and music without giving their ears a few free minutes. Added to this is the habit of increasing volume in noisy places, which makes irritation worse because the ear canal tightens instinctively in response to loud sound.

There’s also a cultural shift: wired earphones used to fall out or tug, forcing natural breaks. Truly wireless earbuds stay in place too well, which ironically increases exposure.

A Practical Reset for Ear Health

• ENT specialists aren’t saying earbuds must be abandoned. Instead, they recommend a more mindful pattern of use:
• Give the ear canal a breather every 45–60 minutes. Even a short break helps the skin rehydrate naturally.
• Clean earbuds regularly. Sweat and debris create a film that increases irritation.
• Dry the ears after workouts or showers before inserting earbuds again.
• Switch to over-ear headphones for long meetings or while working for hours.
• Avoid sleeping with earbuds in. Night-time pressure is one of the biggest causes of canal abrasions.
• Lower the volume. High volumes tighten ear muscles and increase friction.
• See an ENT early if there is persistent itching, discharge, or pain; early treatment prevents infections from settling in.

When to Worry

The warning signs that deserve attention include tenderness when touching the outer ear, recurring flakiness, sudden sensitivity after inserting earbuds, or muffled hearing. These are often early markers of infection or skin breakdown. Left untreated, they can progress to swelling and severe pain that may require ear wicks or medicated drops.

A Closing Thought

Earbuds have quietly become part of our daily routine, and there’s no need to give them up. The key is simply recognising that the ear canal is not built for constant pressure. A few small adjustments are usually all it takes to protect the skin, keep infections at bay, and continue enjoying music and calls without compromising ear health.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and not of Health Dialogues. The Editorial/Content team of Health Dialogues has not contributed to the writing/editing/packaging of this article.