Can Headphones Cause Permanent Hearing Loss: In today’s era, technology is both our need and our compulsion. Earphones or headphones are the biggest example of this. Be it morning walk, metro journey, bus journey, sitting in a café or a call in the office, everywhere people are seen wearing earphones in their ears. This may not cause any problem to the people around you, but continuous and careless use can have a serious impact on your hearing ability. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately one billion young people worldwide are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening habits.
The biggest concern is about the intensity of the sound and duration of use. Earphones transmit loud sounds directly to the ears from a very short distance. Continuously listening to music at loud volume or wearing earphones for a long time, both are dangerous. Apart from this, earphones are kept at different places, due to which bacteria accumulate on them. Sharing these further increases the risk of infection.
What is the problem?
According to a report by Manipalhospitals, when we hear something loud, the sound waves vibrate the eardrum. This vibration reaches the cochlea of the inner ear, where there are thousands of microscopic hair cells. Loud noise puts more pressure on these cells. If this happens continuously, these cells may lose their sensitivity or become permanently damaged. This condition causes hearing loss caused by noise.
Many people start hearing a ringing sound in the ears, which is called tinnitus. In some cases, even normal sounds become unbearable, which is called hyperacusis. Prolonged exposure to loud noise can also cause dizziness, ear pain, excessive earwax accumulation and frequent infections.
What should be done to avoid this?
Health experts advise to always keep the volume moderate and not to listen continuously for a long time. Noise-canceling or over-the-ear headphones may be a better option because they reduce external noise, eliminating the need to increase the volume. It is also important to clean the earphones regularly. Avoid wearing earphones in already noisy environments while travelling, as this further increases the overall decibel level. A little precaution can prevent permanent damage to your ears.
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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.
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