Can using earphones cause ear damage?

Overview

Technology has improved the quality and convenience of our lives in many ways, but excessive and careless use of technology also increases people’s health problems. The use of headphones is one of his alarming innovations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), exposure to loud noise puts nearly 1.1 billion young people at risk of hearing loss, which can alter their quality of life. Responsible earbud use is essential to prevent temporary or permanent hearing loss.

How do earphones affect hearing?

In-ear headphones are much louder than sounds that typically occur near your ears. The eardrum is vibrated by sound waves produced by the earphones, and these vibration waves penetrate a group of small bones to reach the cochlea, which is part of the inner ear.

The cochlea is a fluid-filled chamber inside the ear that has hair on the outside. When using headphones, the liquid vibrates and the hair moves. The vibration gets stronger as the music gets louder.

If you listen to loud sounds frequently or for long periods of time, the cochlear hairs tend to lose their sensitivity to vibrations. Your cells can change shape and fold in response to certain noises. It may take time for your ears to heal. This is the cause of the temporary hearing loss I experienced after attending a loud concert. ‌

Headphones do about the same harm. Over the long term, however, the effects are only gradually perceived. Regularly listening to loud music causes cochlear hairs to slowly begin to fold, leading to hearing loss. Hair often curls so badly that the damage can last a lifetime. ‌

Listening to loud sounds in headphones is definitely bad for your hearing, but listening at average volume for long periods of time is also bad for your hearing.

How should I use my headphones?

If you listen to loud sounds frequently for a long time, your ears will deteriorate faster. As a starting point to reduce your risk of hearing loss, listen to your headphones at a lower volume. You can do this by turning down the volume on the device you’re using or on the earbuds themselves. ‌

These are some additional ways to help protect your ears.

• Switch to noise-cancelling headphones. Increase the volume of your headphones frequently to block out external noise. Noise-cancelling headphones reduce all background noise, allowing you to listen to music at lower volumes without background noise dominating.
• Over-ear headphones can help you: In over-ear headphones, the inner ear is farther from the noise source than earbuds. Scientists say this spacing is essential for minimizing hearing loss.
• Limit headphone wearing time: This is another technique that helps your hearing. If you find yourself wearing headphones most of the day, try tapering them down. Follow the 60/60 rule and he should listen no more than 60% of the maximum volume for more than 60 minutes. Avoid using earphones if you want to prevent permanent hearing loss. Earphones are the most dangerous way to listen to music. It’s like putting a small speaker in your ear.
• Recognize the Symptoms of Hearing Loss: Recognizing the signs and symptoms of hearing loss is essential to seek help early and prevent permanent hearing damage. The most typical early warning symptoms of hearing loss are hearing loss in noisy environments and the feeling that you can hear people but cannot understand what they are saying. Tinnitus is often a precursor to hearing loss and a symptom of damage to the auditory system.

Is hearing loss from using headphones treatable?

As mentioned earlier, wearing headphones and listening to loud music can damage the cells in your ears. The fact that these cells cannot renew themselves is of greatest concern. But if you catch the signs early, your healthcare provider may be able to figure out a way to treat it.

• hearing aid: Hearing aids are beneficial if your hearing loss is due to damage to the inner ear. You can talk to your healthcare provider about the potential benefits of hearing aids and purchase hearing aids that are right for you. It helps amplify the sound you hear.
• Transplanted cochlea: Cochlear implants may be an option if you have severe hearing loss and conventional hearing does little to improve it. AIDSA cochlear implant avoids malfunctioning or damaging the inner ear structures and stimulates the auditory nerve directly, as opposed to hearing aids, which amplify and direct sound to the ear canal.

Conclusion

Listening to music for a short period of time with headphones does not cause hearing loss. However, using earphones at high volume for long periods of time can cause hearing loss. Adhering to the above rules can reduce your chances of lifelong hearing loss. If you believe that wearing headphones may be harming your hearing, consult your doctor or trained professional immediately.