The Harmful Health Effects of Using Headphones
People use their headphones in order to listen to games, music, or make phone calls. There are also many different types and brands of headphones to choose from. However, headphones can cause serious hearing problems if they are used for a prolonged period of time.
Here, our focus will be on the harmful effects of using headphones, as well as what symptoms to look for before making an appointment with your doctor or a hearing specialist. You don’t want to let hearing loss go untreated, because it will lead to a number of serious problems.
What are the various types of headphones?
Wireless earbuds don’t require any wires in order to work, and are usually powered by Bluetooth technology. They will need to be recharged after a certain period of time.
Bluetooth headphones may be wired or wireless. You may have the option to attach or detach a cord, as well as turn the Bluetooth technology on and off, depending on your preference.
Noise-cancelling headphones, as the name implies, will cancel or drown out external sources of sound so that you can listen to music, calls, games, etc. with crystal-clear clarity.
In-ear headphones are also referred to as earbuds. They provide good sound quality and are very lightweight and discreet. Teenagers, runners, and subway commuters will often turn to their earbuds in order to listen to music or play games while on the go.
Over-ear headphones tend to include an adjustable headband and earcups that are big and squishy. They are quite stylish, but not compact, unlike in-ear headphones.
On-ear headphones are often smaller than over-ear headphones, but larger than in-ear headphones. They tend to provide a stylish vintage look that is all the rage among the hipster crowd, and are also popular among athletes who want to listen to music while training.
Is wearing headphones every day bad for health?
Many people will have their headphones on for several hours a day while they are working, studying, playing games, or exercising. Prolonged use of headphones may lead to a number of serious health issues like permanent hearing impairments, as well as ear pain.
Your sense of focus will be minimized when you are constantly exposed to loud sounds. Wearing headphones may also increase your risk of getting into an accident, as you may be distracted by the music while not being fully aware of your surroundings.
Side-Effects of Using Earphones for Longer Hours
You may experience dizziness, ear pain, and even hearing loss that may be chronic or acute if you listen to loud music for prolonged periods of time. Ear wax may also accumulate, as your earbuds may be pushing the ear wax deeper into your ear canal.
Noise-induced hearing loss is not something that should be taken lightly. Please see your doctor as soon as possible if you have noticed changes in your hearing ability.
Tinnitus, which is characterized by a ringing or buzzing sound in one or both ears, may also develop due to prolonged use of earphones. Some patients have even reported an increase in ear infections after having used their earphones for an extended period.
How do I know if I have hearing problems caused by loud noise?
If sounds and/or speech seem muffled, then you may be dealing with acute or chronic hearing problems. Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds may be another indicator of an underlying medical health problem.
Some patients have also reported having trouble understanding what their friends or family are saying while speaking to them on the phone. Some mistakenly assume that there is something wrong with their phone, or that there is a connection problem with the line.
A persistent ringing in one or both ears is a telltale sign of tinnitus. Please see your doctor right away if you notice a strange buzzing or ringing sound that seems to be coming from inside your ears.
If you suspect that you, or someone you love, is dealing with a hearing impairment, then the best way to find out is to undergo a hearing test.
Hearing tests have become more accurate and sophisticated over the years at properly diagnosing a wide array of hearing issues and disorders. Many hearing problems will not go away on their own, and will usually only get worse over time.
In some cases, simple lifestyle changes will be able to permanently solve your hearing issue, but the only way to know for sure is to take a hearing test and have your ears examined by a doctor or a hearing expert.
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Using earphones to listen to music is fine, but only in short bursts. Try and avoid using your earphones for more than an hour at a time.
Prolonged use of earphones or headphones may lead to ear pain, ear infections, tinnitus, dizziness, temporary hearing loss, or even permanent hearing loss in some cases.
If you notice any hearing issues, then please see a doctor or hearing specialist so that they can perform the necessary tests to properly diagnose you.