Know how overusing earphones lead to hearing loss

Advertisement

In this digital age where gadgets are everywhere, earphones have become an integral part of many people’s lives. From listening to music, attending online classes, to making calls and watching movies, many people especially young adults, wear earphones hours on end.

But while earphones can enhance the experience, health experts say that long durations of wear coupled with high volumes can lead to permanent hearing damage. Health experts now worry about the overuse of earphones in this world, contributing to noise-induced hearing loss.

According to experts, if sounds at levels exceeding 85 decibels (dB) are played continuously to any individual, the sound waves will not only damage the inner ear but also cause its components to be irreversibly destroyed.

Majority of earphones available have an output of 100 to 110 dB, which makes many earphones users susceptible to ear damage if listened to on high volumes.

The younger generation is at greatest risk, as they are found to use earphones for more than hours each day while studying, commuting and while taking part in other strenuous physical activities.

Why could the hearing be affected due to earphones?

• Volume: If the volume of sound pumped into the ears by earphones is too high it will cause damage to the small cells in the ear that helps in transmitting sound to the brain. These cells, if destroyed cannot be regrown and the individuals will have lost some percentage of their ability to hear permanently.
• Long usage: Continuously using the earphones without breaks leads to the ears being overburdened and will in turn cause hear loss.
• Noise isolation: Most people who wear earphones for long at high volumes are in the midst of background noise (like people on public transport or busy environments) and put up the volume to tune it off. It will cause unnecessary damage to their ears.
• Low quality earphones: earphones producing distorted sounds would force the person to put up the volume in order to hear it better, thus it will cause hearing damage to an even greater extent.

Advertisement

The symptoms of hearing loss:

• Buzzing or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Difficulty hearing speech
• Temporary muffled hearing after a period of earphone use
• Need to constantly increase the volume
• Uncomfortable pressure or pain in the ears

How can one prevent hearing loss caused by earphones:

• Follow the 60/60 rule. This means not exceeding 60% of the highest possible volume and not listening for more than 60 minutes at any one time.
• Allow your ears a break.
• Do not put up high volumes while on public transport and in noisy environments; instead, use noise-canceling earphones.
• Avoid sleeping with earphones.
• Have your ears checked if you feel any symptom related to hearing loss persists.

Good ways to use earphones:

• Wear your earphones at not more than 60% of the highest volume.
• Listen to music using earphones for not more than 1-2 hours at a go.
• Every hour, take a break for 5-10 minutes from listening to music through the earphones.
• Preferably use over-ear headphones, if available.
• Keep your earphones clean.
• Do not share earphones as you will be sharing the ear germs with other people too.

The Smartphone has not only revolutionized sound, but over usage of earphones now gives people permanent hearing loss. Hearing damage might be irreparable; so one should strive to take better care of hearing by developing positive listening habits. Therefore, listen on low volumes and take breaks to protect your hearing.

Also Read: Common PMOS symptoms women often ignore

Advertisement