[ad_1]
Do you have a habit of listening to music for a long time wearing earphones? After all, life seems a little better with background noise as you go through the day. As a result, most people become so obsessive that they listen to music on earphones all day long.
Also read: Fitness trainer reveals women are at greater risk of muscle loss in winter; Shared 4 tips for prevention
But here’s the problem: Long-term and high-volume use can have a big impact on your hearing health. To understand the consequences of prolonged earphone use and its impact on hearing, HT Lifestyle contacted Dr. Jyotirmoy S Hegde, HOD and Principal ENT Consultant at Aster Whitefield Hospital, who urged caution when it comes to earphone use, especially with regard to the duration and volume of listening.
While Dr. Hegde acknowledged that earphones can be a great aid in concentrating, he also pointed out that medical and audiology research indicates that they carry some risks when used at high volumes or for long periods.
Negative health effects of prolonged earphone use
Dr. Hegde explained the many ways in which prolonged and high-volume earphone use can negatively impact hearing health, ranging from temporary ear fatigue and a ringing sensation to more serious, long-term hearing loss.
1. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)
Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common consequences. The ENT doctor shared that listening to loud sounds, especially above 85 dB for a long period of time, increases the risk of hearing damage. This is a permanent nerve injury in the inner ear.
2. tinnitus
Tinnitus is another reported side effect. The doctor described it as ‘persistent ringing, buzzing or phantom sounds in the ears’. This problem is especially associated with prolonged use of headphones at high volume.
3. Auditory Fatigue
Dr. Hegde highlighted that your ears undergo a kind of fatigue when you use headphones too much. He described this feeling, “It’s A condition where one finds it difficult to follow sounds, concentrate, or differentiate speech after prolonged audio stimulation. Although this is not a diagnosable medical disorder, he reminded us that it is still a real effect of long-term noise exposure.
4. Lack of situational awareness
The noise-canceling technology in headphones changes the way you process sounds, making it harder for you to be more aware of the environment. “Excessive noise canceling or frequent headphone use can affect how the brain processes everyday sounds, even if hearing tests seem normal,” Dr. Hegde revealed.
5. Cognitive stress over time
ENT doctor cautioned against using earphones for more than two hours a day. Long-term use may also affect important cognitive skills, such as attention and memory. As Dr. Hegde explained, this is due to constant auditory overload.
How to choose the right gear
Choosing the right headphones can have a significant impact on your hearing health. ENT doctors recognized over-the-ear headphones as a better alternative to common options like earbuds, which sit too close to your ear canal.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
[ad_2]
