Hearing loud music for an extended duration will highly impact your ears, and after some time it can also result in temporary or permanent hearing loss. Headphone use and hearing loss have a strong connection, but headphones are not the sole reason. It’s mainly about the volume of the audio that the user is listening to, which can lead to hearing loss. Let’s dive deeper into this blog to know the connection between headphone use and hearing loss.
How do headphones affect your hearing?
Just by listening to songs, your ears won’t get damaged, but it primarily stems from excessive exposure to loud sounds. As we all know, the ear is a sensitive organ with hair-like cells in the cochlea, which transmits sound signals to the brain. When exposed to high volumes for continuous periods, these cells will even be damaged or die over time, eventually it will result in hearing impairment. Always remember that these hair cells won’t regenerate like other tissues, it will make any damage irreversible.
Typically, this noise-induced hearing impairment will occur when sound waves stress the inner ear’s hair cells. This condition is commonly connected to occupational noise exposure, but due to the extended popularity of personal audio devices, this noise-induced hearing impairment has become more prevalent among the young population. Notably, the World Health Organization says that more than one billion young individuals are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening habits.
What are the common causes of hearing loss?
Several factors will contribute to the hearing impairment, ranging from temporary conditions to permanent damage. Further, let’s see some causes of hearing impairment.
- Aging: When aging those delicate hair cells in the inner ear will have deteriorated naturally, which will result in gradual hearing impairment.
- Noise exposure: Continuous exposure to loud noise from concerts, headphones, or industrial work will damage inner ear hair cells, resulting in permanent hearing loss.
- Ear infections: The sound transmission will be blocked when there is an infection in the middle ear or glued ear, and even temporary hearing issues will also occur.
- Earwax blockage: More earwax will obstruct the ear canal, it will prevent the sound waves from reaching the eardrum.
- Genetics: Few people inherit conditions, and they will be easily affected by hearing impairment.
- Trauma or injury: Sudden pressure changes or head injuries will damage your ear structures.
- Diseases and medical conditions: Certain diseases like diabetes, and hypertension will result in hearing impairment.
Simply, whenever experiencing issues with hearing, reach out to the audiologist for timely diagnosis and treatment to reduce hearing loss.
How do different types of headphones cause hearing loss?
You need to understand that not all headphones pose the same level of risk. Further, let’s see how different types affect hearing health:
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Earbuds:
As all we know this is one of the most common and portable headphones. Directly, they will sit in the ear canal, sending sound waves closer to the eardrum. Due to their positioning, often they need higher volume levels to drown out background noise, increasing the risk of hearing damage.
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On-ear headphones:
This type of headphone sits on top of the outer ear, not inside the canal. So they will also provide better sound quality and noise isolation, extended use at extremely high volumes can still cause hearing loss.
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Over-ear headphones:
This completely encloses the ears, providing superior noise cancellation. This assists the individuals to listen in lower volumes, reducing the risk of hearing loss compared to in-ear options.
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Noise-cancelling headphones:
Activated noise cancellation (ANC) reduces external noise, allowing lower volume levels. Typically, these are safer for hearing as they prevent the need to turn up the volume in noisy environments and reduce hearing loss.
What are the symptoms of headphone-induced hearing damage?
Most of us will fail to notice the early signs of hearing loss, but we should recognize those symptoms and take preventative action to reduce hearing loss. Further, the common symptoms of hearing damage include:
- Muffled hearing: The sounds will be unclear or different.
- Ear pain: A sign that volume levels are too high.
- Speech understanding: Finding it difficult to differentiate words, notably in the noisy area.
- Sensitivity to sounds: Normal sounds may suddenly seem too loud.
Whenever experiencing these signs, consider limiting the time of headphone use and hearing loss will be prevented.
Will my ears recover from hearing loss?
We can say that recovery from hearing loss depends on the root cause and severity of the condition. In case, hearing loss occurs due to temporary factors such as earwax build-up, infections, or fluid in the ear, it can be easily reversed with treatment. If you are affected by noise-induced hearing loss, only mild damage can be improved over time, but an extended period of exposure to loud sounds will cause permanent damage.
Further, hearing impairment like age-related hearing loss or sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is permanent, and we cannot reverse it. This occurs only when the delicate hair cells or nerves that transmit sound signals to the brain are badly damaged. Typically, these cells don’t regenerate, only hearing aids or cochlear implants assist in improving hearing and quality of life.
Consider getting immediate medical help whenever experiencing sudden hearing loss. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) can be treated with steroids if caught early. You need to consider preventing further damage by avoiding loud noise, maintaining ear hygiene, and in severe cases reaching out to the audiologist is crucial to reduce hearing loss.
Also, you need to understand that complete recovery is not possible, but advancements in technology will assist you to hear better and lead a normal life. Simply, if you are worried about hearing loss, reach out to the healthcare provider for a complete evaluation.
How to diagnose hearing loss issues?
One of the most common and simple procedures to diagnose hearing loss is screening. Whenever a patient suspects hearing loss, firstly the best ENT doctor in Coimbatore will examine that person’s ear, which is referred to as an otoscopy. During this procedure, the structure of your ears will be completely examined:
- The external auditory canal: Your ear canal transfers sound to the eardrum, known as the tympanic membrane.
- Tympanic membrane: This is a thin membrane that performs dual functions like transmission and amplification.
- The middle ear: This part links external sound waves with the inner ear for auditory transmission.
To diagnose your hearing issues promptly reach out to the ENT hospital, and get effective treatment for your condition.
What are the general screening tests?
Typically, during the screening stage, healthcare professionals will ask an individual to close one ear with their hands and ask them to tell what they can hear at a range of frequencies. Even the doctors will check their sensitivity to a few sounds.
In case your doctor suspects hearing issues, they will refer you to an ENT specialist or an audiologist. Further, they will also take other tests like:
- A tuning test: During this test, metal instruments will be used that will be vibrated against the ear from a distance. This greatly assists in finding when an individual cannot hear a sound.
- Audiometer test: During this test, an individual will wear earphones, when doctors will send sounds at a limited range of volumes and tones into your ear. Similar to the above-mentioned test, when your doctor will ask someone to confirm at what point you cannot hear a sound.
- Bone oscillator test: During this test, an oscillator will be placed against your ear bone to analyze the nerve’s function and your hearing loss type will be determined.
Simply, the sooner you get a diagnosis after going through early signs of hearing loss, your doctor will quickly work on reducing your hearing loss. Further, there are also several methods to improve an individual’s ability to hear, like:
- Using hearing aids
- Cochlear implants
- Middle ear implants
- Lip-reading
Your doctor will recommend a suitable treatment type based on your condition.
How to prevent hearing loss when using headphones?
Do you want to safeguard your ear health even when listening to songs? Follow the below-mentioned preventive measures to reduce hearing loss.
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Follow the 60/60 rule:
Never increase the volume above 60% when using headphones, and also avoid using headphones for more than 60 minutes at a time.
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Use noise-canceling headphones:
This will assist in blocking the external sounds, limiting the need for a higher volume level when hearing your favorite music.
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Try using over-ear headphones:
Over-ear models offer better noise isolation and you no longer need to expose yourself to high decibels.
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Take breaks:
Give your ears frequent breaks to get relief from noise exposure.
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Reduce the device’s default volume:
Several smartphones allow you to set a volume limit you want to give you are safer listening experience.
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Consider your background noise:
Never use headphones in a noisy environment, because it will tempt you to increase the volume.
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Use hearing protection in noisy environments:
If you are a person who works in noisy environments or frequently attends concerts, use earplugs to prevent damage.
What are the consequences of overusing headphones?
As we mentioned above, headphone use and hearing loss are connected, which will affect the quality of your life. Long-term effects include:
- Communication difficulties: You will find it hard to hear in social settings.
- Dementia risk: Few studies have suggested that hearing loss may contribute to cognitive decline.
- Reduced work productivity: When you have issues with hearing, it will mainly affect your job performance, notably in communication-heavy roles.
- Psychological effects: One of the unnoticed effects of using headphones for a longer time is social isolation, depression, and anxiety.
How should I reduce my hearing loss?
Always remember that certain types of headphone use and hearing loss are irreversible, you can take certain steps to protect and preserve your hearing:
- Loud noises: Not exposing yourself to loud environments such as concerts, machines, and fireworks. Use headphones only if necessary.
- Use headphones in low volume: Use your headphones or speakers below 60% volume and stick to the 60/60 rule.
- Protect your ears: In noisy areas, avoid using earplugs or noise-canceling headphones.
- Maintain your ears clean: Don’t use cotton swabs, because more build up of earwax can cause temporary hearing loss.
- Manage health conditions: A few conditions such as diabetes and hypertension will impact your hearing, so maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Reach out to an audiologist: When experiencing hearing issues, get professional help on time for hearing aids or treatments.
Take these precautions to slow down your hearing loss and improve your overall wellness. If these steps are not helping you, reach out to the best ENT doctor in Coimbatore to effectively treat your condition.
Shall I use wireless headphones for a safer experience?
Several people wonder if Bluetooth or wireless headphones pose the same risks as wired models. As we mentioned above, it’s not about the type of headphones, it’s mainly about the volume and exposure time. However, wireless headphones with ANC features can provide better protection by allowing lower volume levels in noisy environments, which will also reduce hearing loss.
Final takeaway:
In conclusion, we can say that headphones are one of the most fantastic technological advancements, but use them with responsibility. Understanding how extended exposure to high volumes can damage hearing is the primary step toward prevention. Simply, by following safe listening habits, using the right type of headphones, and being mindful of volume levels, you can enjoy your music without compromising your hearing health. So next time when listening to your favorite music just keep in mind that your ears are irreplaceable, you need to treat them with utmost care.
