Can your earphones damage your hearing? Warning signs you shouldn’t ignore

27 Oct 2026, 11:19 by Anustupa Mishra · KalingaTV

Earphones have become part of everyday life, whether people use them while travelling, working out, studying or scrolling through social media.

But listening at high volumes for prolonged periods can expose the ears to harmful sound levels, potentially causing permanent hearing damage over time.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than one billion young people aged 12–35 are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices.

How Can Headphones Affect Your Hearing?

Inside the inner ear are tiny sensory hair cells that help convert sound into signals the brain can understand. Loud sounds can damage these cells. Once damaged, they do not grow back, which means hearing loss caused by excessive noise can be permanent.

The risk depends on how loud the sound is, how long you listen and how frequently you are exposed. Even if your ears feel normal, repeated exposure to loud audio can cause damage that develops gradually.

Five Warning Signs to Watch For

Ringing or buzzing: Hearing sounds in your ears after removing your headphones, known as tinnitus.
Muffled hearing: Sounds may seem dull or less clear after listening to loud music.
Difficulty following conversations: You may struggle to understand people, particularly in noisy environments.
Turning up the volume repeatedly: You may find yourself increasing the volume to hear audio clearly.
Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds: Doorbells, alarms or birdsong may become harder to hear.

These symptoms do not always mean permanent hearing damage, but persistent symptoms warrant a hearing assessment.

How Loud Is Too Loud?

The WHO recommends keeping personal audio volume below 60% of the maximum as a practical precaution. However, the actual sound level varies between devices and headphones, so the percentage alone cannot guarantee safe listening.

According to WHO guidance, listening at an average sound level of 80 decibels can be safe for up to 40 hours a week, while at 90 decibels the recommended safe listening time falls to around four hours a week. Higher volumes reduce the safe exposure time sharply.

Five Ways to Protect Your Ears

Lower the volume: Avoid listening at maximum volume, especially for long periods.
Take regular breaks: Give your ears time away from audio, particularly during long listening sessions.
Use noise-cancelling headphones: In noisy surroundings, these may reduce the temptation to increase the volume.
Check sound-level settings: Use your phone’s headphone-safety features or sound-exposure monitoring tools, if available.
Get your hearing checked: Consult a hearing professional if you experience persistent ringing, muffled hearing or difficulty following conversations.

When Should You Seek Medical Help?

If ringing in your ears or hearing difficulties continue after exposure to loud sound, arrange a medical assessment. Sudden hearing loss, especially in one ear, requires urgent medical attention rather than waiting for it to improve on its own.

The takeaway: You do not necessarily have to stop using earphones to protect your hearing. Keeping the volume moderate, limiting exposure to loud audio and recognising early warning signs can help you enjoy music and videos while reducing the risk of preventable hearing damage.

Can your earphones damage your hearing? Warning signs you shouldn’t ignore

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