The Hidden Dangers of Earbuds and Headphones

Authored by: Lipika Mallick

Art by: Fiona Reilly

Chase Atlantic consumes my mind during late-night walks back to my dorm from Uris Library, while Doja Cat gets me ready in the mornings. Like me, most students consider music to be an integral part of their day, starting from the moment they wake up. More often than not, this music is heard through listening devices such as earbuds or headphones. While many are aware of the dangerous effects of excessive use of these devices on the ear, such as potential hearing loss, there is less discussion of the varying degrees of damage caused by different types of devices, particularly earbuds versus headphones [1]. These two differ in their physical structure and how they transmit audio to the ear, suggesting that one may be safer for your ears than the other. Given how deeply these devices are ingrained in our daily lives, it is crucial to understand which one is less harmful for long-term use and how we can protect our hearing.

Earbuds, such as AirPods, are small speakers that fit inside the ear canal to deliver immersive sound. One of the first possible consequences of frequent use of these devices are ear infections. Although ears are generally self-cleaning, blocking off the ear canal with earbuds prevents this process from occurring [2]. Instead, the ear canal turns into a moist and warm enclosed space, creating the perfect environment for infections. This risk is even greater in children because of their smaller ear canals. In addition, earwax buildup becomes more common when the ear canal is blocked by earbuds, often leading to increased volume levels to compensate for the muffled sound. Excess volume only exacerbates the problem. Prolonged exposure to loud noises can damage the cilia: tiny hair-like structures found in our inner ear [3]. Cilia are crucial to hearing because they pick up sound waves that are converted into electrical signals for the brain to interpret, so any damage to them can lead to hearing loss and other problems with the auditory system. 

Like earbuds, headphones also pose risks to the cilia, but their design offers some advantages. Headphones generally consist of a pair of small speakers that are worn over the ears rather than inside them. Noise-canceling headphones, in particular, help to protect your ears by using microphones to capture external noise and produce an opposite version of the sound [3]. This is fed into the headphones, thus canceling the outside noise. The effect is even more profound when combined with passive noise reduction, such as a physical barrier or damper to absorb or block noise. This reduces the need to listen at excessively loud volumes just to drown out the noise around you. Still, most headphones can produce noises up to 120 decibels, which is equivalent to the sound heard at a rock concert [4]. At this level, hearing loss can occur after only an hour and fifteen minutes of listening. For this reason, if listening to louder volumes,it is recommended to do it for shorter periods of time. Then, any damage to the cilia should only be temporary [5]. This explains why it may initially be hard to hear after leaving a noisy place, like a concert, but eventually your hearing returns to normal. However, repeated exposure can leave the cilia unable to vibrate in response to sound, causing permanent damage.

While noise-canceling headphones, such as the Sony XM-5’s, are generally safer than earbuds due to their placement around rather than in the ears, both can still pose a risk to your hearing. However, it’s important to remember that both devices pose the risk of causing hearing loss. To reduce this damage, there are a few steps you can take. First, ensure your volume is between 60 and 85 decibels which is equivalent to the sound of a blender [6]. It’s also important to give your ears a break every couple of hours, reducing the likelihood of infections by giving your ear canal time to air out. One way to follow this principle is through the 60/60 rule: listen to music at 60% of the maximum volume for 60 minutes at a time [7]. 

Considering the amount of time young people, especially students, spend listening to music everyday, it’s important to be aware of the negative implications it can have for your hearing and how to prevent them.  By listening at lower volumes and taking breaks, you can enjoy your music while protecting your ears from long-term damage. Responsible use ensures that we can all keep the soundtrack of our lives playing safely for years to come. 

References

1. Beware the hidden dangers of headphones and earbuds. (n.d.). Retrieved October 11, 2024, from https://www.audiologycharlotte.com/blog/beware-the-hidden-dangers-of-headphones-and-earbuds

2. Dehankar, S. S., & Gaurkar, S. S. (n.d.). Impact on hearing due to prolonged use of audio devices: A literature review. Cureus, 14(11), e31425. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.31425

3. Headphones & hearing loss. (n.d.). American Osteopathic Association. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from https://osteopathic.org/what-is-osteopathic-medicine/headphones-hearing-loss/

4. Lewis, C. (2024, June 19). Can headphones cause hearing loss and damage? Regain Hearing. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from https://www.regainhearing.co.uk/can-headphones-cause-hearing-loss/

5. Rebecca. (2023, June 2). Airpods, hearing loss, and ear infections. Medical Associates of Northwest Arkansas. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from https://mana.md/airpods-hearing-loss-and-ear-infections/

6. Street, S. F. A. V. 450 S., Francisco, S. 1400 S., & Office:362-2901, C. 94108. (2019, November 22). Headphone safety tips for preserving your hearing | san francisco audiology | blog. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from Https://Sfaudiology.Com/. https://sfaudiology.com/headphone-safety-tips-for-preserving-your-hearing/

7. Votel, K. (2022, December 13). Fact or fiction: Are earbuds bad for your ears? HealthPartners Blog. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/how-to-use-earbuds-safely/