Harmful Effects Of Listening to Music With Earphones

“If you listen to loud music with your earphones, you will lose your hearing ability.”

This is something that earphone/earbud-using music lovers listen to on a daily basis. However, is it actually true? 

Read this article till the end to find out how playing loud music on earphones can impact hearing and learn some useful tips to safely use them.

Why Does Loud Noise Damage Hearing?

Too much noise can harm the very small hair cells, which are sensory cells, in the ear that help us hear by converting sound waves to electrical signals for our brain to perceive.

Unfortunately, once these cells are damaged, they do not regenerate, leading to permanent hearing loss over time. Moreover, being exposed to high sound levels for long durations may result in incomplete restoration of the ear’s sensitivity, thus posing a challenge for complete recovery.

How Loud Is Too Loud?

Sounds at 85 decibels and above are considered loud, and therefore, earphone users have to be mindful to restrict themselves from hearing music at 85 decibels or higher for prolonged hours.

To get an idea, we have put the volume comparison for different types of sounds below:

• Normal conversation: ~60 dB
  
  
• Traffic noise: ~85 dB
  
  
• Loud music with earphones: 100-110 dB
  

Listening to music above 85 dB for extended periods can lead to headphone-induced ear damage. One must be careful about the duration and intensity of sound exposure to prevent potential long-term issues.

To avoid hearing loss, you shouldn’t put your device on maximum volume but instead at a level not exceeding 60% volume, and also avoid using headphones for a period longer than one hour. 

Harmful Effects Of Listening to Music With Earphones

Using earphones for prolonged periods or at high volumes can lead to various health issues. Below are some of the harmful effects:

1. Hearing Loss

Continuous exposure to loud sounds can cause hearing problems. With time, individuals may have trouble hearing properly. This is one of the significant side effects of headphones and prolonged earphone usage.

2. Dizziness

Listening to very loud music through earphones can damage the inner ear, which is important in helping one to balance. As a result, a person may feel as if he or she is not steady on his or her feet, experience dizziness, lose concentration while trying to accomplish simple things, and become clumsy.

3. Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a problem where a person hears ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds all the time. It is mostly a result of listening to very loud music for too long and can disrupt one’s daily activities greatly. 

Many people suffering from tinnitus experience trouble falling asleep or focusing because of the continuous, disturbing sounds. Tinnitus is a side effect of earphone use, especially at high volumes, which may lead to an increased risk of contracting it.

4. Ear Infections

Wearing earphones for a long time causes the ear canal to become hot and damp, which is perfect for germs to multiply. 

If one also shares earphones, there is a higher chance of contracting diseases that may cause ear problems, such as pain, swelling, and discharge from the ear.

5. Increased Earwax Buildup

Earphones prevent earwax from flowing out of the ear canal naturally. 

This accumulation may cause pain, hearing loss, or infections. A doctor may have to remove too much wax that has gathered.

6. Pain and Pressure in the Ears

Using earphones that do not fit well or using them too much may bring about an earache, uneasiness, and squeezing pain. 

It may also result in migraines and blocked ears, giving rise to an unhealthy life and disruption in day-to-day activities. This is a common side effect of headphones, especially when they are used for extended periods.

7. Negative Impact on Brain Health

Continuous exposure to high-volume sounds may excessively stimulate the mind, causing tension, restlessness, and an inability to focus. 

It has been argued that long-term exposure to too much noise could lead to problems with thinking ability as well as memory loss in some cases.

Tips to Safely Use Headphones

• Follow the 60/60 rule: Keep the volume below 60% and limit listening time to 60 minutes per day.
  
  
• Use noise-cancelling headphones to avoid the need to increase the volume in noisy environments.
  
  
• Take regular breaks from using earphones to give your ears time to recover.
  
  
• Keep the volume at a comfortable level (preferably below 85 dB).
  
  
• Avoid using earphones in extremely noisy places, as it tempts you to increase the volume.
  
  
• Clean your earphones regularly to prevent bacterial buildup and infections.
  
  
• Opt for over-the-ear headphones instead of in-ear earphones to reduce direct impact on the ear canal.
  

Conclusion

While music is an integral part of life for many, listening to it at excessively high volumes through earphones can have long-term detrimental effects on hearing and overall health. Headphone ear damage can be permanent if proper precautions are not taken. By following safe listening practices, you can enjoy your favourite tunes while protecting your ears from irreversible damage. It is always advisable to consult an ENT specialist at one of the leading multispeciality hospitals in India if you experience any signs of hearing loss or discomfort related to earphone use.