Can Earphones and Earbuds Affect Your Hearing- Time to Know

Earphones are the constant companion of many people! Right from gymming, travelling, studying, to chilling- some people can’t just live without their earphones. Earphones have turned out to be an inescapable part for a lot of us but let us tell you that the usage of earphones or earbuds comes with its consequences.

Yes, indeed, elongated usage of earphones can easily destroy the ears. The volume that you use to listen also plays an important role in this. The higher the volume, the easier the ear damage! Usage of earphones for a long period of time can also result in partial to complete hearing loss, also known as noise-induced hearing loss. Moreover, the damage caused by the usage of earphones can be permanent as the sound can impair the hair cells in the cochlea. The sound can make these hair cells bend severely.

According to a 2011 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the use of earphones has led to a major increase in the prevalence of hearing loss in adolescents and young adults.

How do earphones damage your ears?

As per the studies “earphones create sound waves that reach our ears, making the eardrum vibrate. This vibration spreads to the inner ear via the small bones and reaches the cochlea which is a chamber in the inner ear that is filled with a fluid and consists of thousands of small’ hairs’. When this vibration reaches the cochlea, the fluid vibrates making the hairs also move. The louder the sound, the stronger the vibrations and the more the hairs move.”

Listening to loud music for a prolonged period can gradually make the hair cells lose their sensitivity to vibration. Sometimes usage of earphones can also bend or fold the cells that can result in temporary hearing loss. These cells took time to recover from such loss; there is no guarantee that they can function normally, as a result, it can often cause permanent hearing loss or deafness.

Here’s what earphones can do to your ears

• NIHL(Noise-Induced Hearing Loss)
• Tinnitus (electrical noise like ringing, buzzing or roaring)
• Hyperacusis
• Hearing loss
• Dizziness
• Various types of ear infections
• Extreme ear wax
• Painful ears
• Effect on the brain

Here are some tips to avoid the damage

• Try to keep the sound low
• Try to cut down your duration of using earphones and restrict yourself to loud noise
• Replace your earphones and use an over-the-ear model in order to avoid straight sound vibrations.
• Make sure to sanitize your headphones or earphones so that the build-up of bacteria, sweat and shed skin remains low.
• Make sure to decrease the usage of earphones while travelling. The noise from around the surrounding enhances the decibel level.

Footnote

Make sure to reduce the usage of earphones and try to keep the sound low in order to prevent your ears from damage. Try to follow the above-written steps of prevention to keep your ears safe and sound!