WHO Warns: Hearing Loss from Headphones or Earbuds – 7 Tips for Safe Sound

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2050, one in four people may lose their hearing ability. The WHO study cites several reasons for this, with the increasing use of earbuds and earphones being a major factor.

The study reveals that about 65% of people keep the volume above 85 dB (decibels) while listening to music, podcasts, or other content through earbuds, earphones, or headphones, which is extremely harmful to the inner parts of the ear.

Nowadays, earbuds and earphones are also used for watching reels and videos on social media platforms, where sometimes the volume output is higher than usual. Prolonged use can damage the ears.

Therefore, in today’s ‘Kama News,’ we will discuss what precautions should be taken when using earbuds or earphones. You will also learn:

• At what volume should gadgets be set while listening to music?
• How long should earbuds or earphones be used?
• Expert: Dr. Geeta Srivastava, Senior Consultant, ENT, Dharmshila Narayan Hospital, Delhi.

Question: What damage can result from wearing earphones or earbuds for extended periods?

Answer: Dr. Geeta Srivastava explains that the sound waves produced by earphones or earbuds reach our ears, causing the eardrum to vibrate. This vibration reaches the cochlea, a hollow, spiral-shaped bone inside the human ear, which plays a crucial role in the hearing process.

In addition, the loud sound from earphones can also damage hearing cells. However, the extent of damage depends on:

• How loud the sound is?
• How long the loud sound is heard?
• What is the exposure time to loud sounds?

Continuous and prolonged exposure to loud sounds can lead to hearing loss, and infections or deafness in the ear may also occur, which may not be treatable.

Question: What decibel level is safe for listening through earbuds and earphones?

Answer: Dr. Geeta Srivastava says that decibels (dB) are units used to measure sound. Sounds at 70 dB or less are considered safe for our hearing ability. This is the volume of normal conversation between two people. Most musical devices (earphones, earbuds) have a sound level of 75-80 dB at 60% volume. Prolonged listening at volumes above 85 dB can gradually weaken your hearing ability. Earphones and earbuds can produce sound levels of 110 dB at full volume. As dB increases, the safe listening time decreases. Earphones and earbuds should not be used for more than 90 minutes a day.

Question: What precautions should be taken for safe listening?

Answer: In recent years, the number of earbud and earphone users has rapidly increased. The use of Bluetooth wireless earphones has further extended the usage time. People extensively use earbuds or earphones while traveling, working out, playing games, watching movies, or doing small household tasks. However, if you use earbuds for hours every day, it is crucial to monitor their use and listen to music at an appropriate volume.

Follow the 60/60 rule for maximum volume and duration: the maximum volume on your gadgets should not exceed 60%, and earbud or earphone use should not exceed 60 minutes continuously. Additionally, the louder the sound, the shorter the duration should be.

Headphones are a better alternative than earbuds and earphones. They reduce external noise and do not directly damage the ear canal, so whenever possible, choose headphones.

The dB level increases due to noise and traffic sounds during public transportation, which doubles the damage to your hearing, so it is advisable to avoid wearing earbuds and earphones while traveling in public transport.

Listening to loudspeakers for extended periods can damage your ears, so it is best to avoid places like clubs, live music concerts, sports arenas, or events with excessive noise.

If you are going to a place with high noise levels for an extended period, you can use earplugs or noise-canceling headphones. They help block out surrounding and other noises. Here, the purpose of noise-canceling headphones is not to listen to music but to protect your ears from external sounds and noise.

Question: What precautions should be taken with earbuds or earphones during the rainy season?

Answer: Extra care of the ears is essential during the rainy season as there is a higher risk of bacteria and fungal infections. Therefore, regularly clean your earbuds or earphones to prevent dust or small particles from reaching the ear.