Nowadays, people constantly use earphones and headphones, whether at home, in the office, or even while walking on the street. Some use them to avoid outside noise, while others avoid disturbing others. But this habit, which provides comfort to others, can prove to be a danger to your ears. Let's find out how wireless headphones can cause you problems.
Impact on Hearing
According to a study published in BMJ Global Health, approximately 1 million adolescents and young people are at risk of hearing loss due to headphones alone. The study found that approximately 24% of people aged 12 to 34 listen to music at unsafe levels. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 430 million people worldwide suffer from severe hearing loss (disabling hearing loss).
Listening to sounds above 85 decibels for more than 8 hours can gradually impact hearing. Continuously listening to music at high volume significantly increases the risk of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL).
Not Just Hearing, Other Dangers
Prolonged use of headphones not only affects hearing but also causes other problems. Covering the ears for long periods of time causes sweat and bacteria to accumulate, which can lead to ear infections.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the FDA, the radiation emitted from wireless headphones is very low and does not cause serious diseases like cancer. However, research on this subject is still ongoing. Furthermore, continuous use of headphones can also cause tinnitus (a whistling or ringing sound in the ears).
How to use headphones safely?
If you use headphones, it's crucial to follow these precautions:
Follow the WHO's 60/60 rule – don't listen at more than 60% volume and don't use them for more than 60 minutes at a stretch.
Noise-canceling headphones: Use noise-canceling headphones to reduce the need to turn up the volume during noisy situations.
Give your ears a break – After wearing headphones for extended periods, be sure to rest occasionally.
Pay attention to hygiene – Clean your earphones and headphones regularly to prevent bacteria from growing.
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