Overview:
Technology is shaping our world, connecting humanity, driving progress, and innovation, and offering advancement. But technology also comes with its cons. Earphones are one of the most used technology nowadays. However, people are unaware of the side effects of using earphones for a long time.
Earphones have become an inseparable part of our lives. People use earphones while taking an early morning walk, crossing the street, traveling on a bus or train, or attending calls.
Many people listen to music, and podcasts, watch movies, and talk over the phone for hours through earphones.
Excess use of earphones can cause serious health issues like hearing loss, ear infections, brain damage, ear pain, etc. Earphones produce sound waves that directly hit close to the eardrum, making the eardrum vibrate more vigorously.
It has been estimated by the World Health Organization(WHO), that around a billion young people across the globe could be at the risk of hearing loss due to unhealthy listening habits.
Table of Contents
How does hearing work?
To understand the risk, it’s essential to grasp how hearing functions. Sound waves enter the ear and travel through the ear canal to the eardrum, causing it to vibrate.
These vibrations are then transmitted through tiny bones in the middle ear to the cochlea in the inner ear.
Inside the cochlea are thousands of hair cells that convert vibrations into electrical signals sent to the brain, which interprets them as sound.
Side effects of using earphones :
1. Hearing Loss
Long-term exposure to earphones or loud music tends to make the hair cells bend down and eventually lose their sensitivity to vibration, thus leading to temporary or permanent hearing loss depending upon the level of damage.
Hair cells are the receptors present in the cochlea of the inner ear. These hair cells are crucial in converting sound waves into electrical signals.
2. Tinnitus
Using earphones at high volumes can damage hair cells present in the cochlea and can result in a ringing, buzzing, or roaring noise in the ear or the head. This consequential electrical noise is called tinnitus.
3. Hyperacusis
It is a condition in which people suffering from tinnitus are prone to develop high sensitivity towards normal environmental sounds too. This high sensitivity can lead to physical discomfort, anxiety, and an avoidance of noisy situations.
4. Ear Infections
Earphones are directly fitted into the ear canal which blocks the air passage thus it can cause ear infections.
Regular and prolonged exposure to earphones also induces the growth of bacteria on them which can further infect the users. Moreover, if these earphones are shared with another person they can also be infected.
5. Earwax Blockage
Ideally, earwax is a natural part of your body’s defense which helps to clean and protect your canal by trapping dirt and slowing down the growth of bacteria.
However, sometimes earphones push the earwax deep into the canal, thus leading to earwax blockage.
And earwax blockage can further cause hearing loss, tinnitus, itching, pain in the ear, etc. People already producing a lot of earwax are more vulnerable to this condition.
6. Brain Damage
Earphones or headphones generate electromagnetic waves and putting the brain near a source of electromagnetic waves can damage and disrupt the brain’s normal activity.
High-decibel noise levels damage the insulation of the nerve fibers that carry signals from the ear to the brain.
Insulating layers of the nerve fibers allow electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along the nerve cells. If it is damaged, it can severely affect the brain.
7. Dizziness
Many times, using earphones for a long duration can cause dizziness. When you wear earphones, they can create a sensation of motion that can trick your brain into thinking you are moving when you are standing still.
8. NIHL(Noise-Induced Hearing Loss)
Noise-induced hearing loss is caused by exposure to harmful, loud noise. According to the Centres for Disease Control(CDC), jobs and industries with the highest risk of noise-induced hearing loss include:
- Construction
- Agriculture
- Mining
- Oil and gas extraction
- Military
- Carpentry
Safety concerns:
Earphones can limit your ability to hear important environmental sounds, such as approaching vehicles or alarms, posing safety risks in traffic or other hazardous situations.
Remove earphones in situations requiring heightened awareness, such as crossing streets, using public transportation, or engaging in face-to-face conversations.
If it is necessary, use only one earphone at low volume to maintain alertness in your surroundings.
Prevention:
Earphones have become an essential part of our lives that could not be avoided in this modern age. so one has to take protective measures to deal with the potential side effects of using earphones.
The following tips will help to prevent the harmful side effects of using earphones/headphones:
- Always use your earphones at low volume.
- Don’t plug your earphones for a long duration of time.
- Avoid using your earphones when traveling in a noisy environment.
- Periodically sanitize your earphones to prevent the growth of bacteria and germs.
- Use an over-the-year model to prevent direct contact with earbuds from the ear.
- Opt for noise-canceling earphones/headphones as they block external noise.
- Please don’t share your earphones with anyone else as they can also share bacteria and germs along with them.
- Follow the 60/60 rule: Use your earphones at not more than 60% of the maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.
- Give your ears regular breaks to recover, especially after extended listening sessions.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, while earphones offer convenience and entertainment, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential side effects of using earphones excessively.
The side effects of using earphones range from hearing loss and ear infections to physical discomfort and brain damage.
By adopting healthy listening habits and taking proactive measures to protect our ears, we can continue to enjoy the benefits of audio technology without compromising our health and well-being.
FAQS:
Q 1. At what volume should you use earphones?
The maximum volume level to listen to any MP3 device should be 50 to 60 percent of the total volume as it is considered ideal for ears.
Q 2. How many hours a day should you use earphones?
You should use your earphones for a maximum of 1 to 1.5 hours per day with ideal volume.
Q 3. Can wearing earphones too much cause ear problems?
Excess use of earphones can cause serious health issues like hearing loss, ear infections, brain damage, ear pain, etc.
Q 4. What happens if we use earphones/ headphones at high volume?
Using earphones at high volumes can damage hair cells present in the cochlea and can result in hearing loss, tinnitus, pain in the ear, etc.
Q 5. Are there any side effects of using earphones for a longer duration?
Using earphones/headphones for a longer duration can lead to serious health issues like ear pain, ear infections, hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, earwax blockage, etc.
Q 6. Can you use earphones/headphones daily?
Yes, you can use your earphones/headphones daily but within limits. The maximum limit should be 1 to 1.5 hours per day with ideal volume.