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Warning: Using Earbuds For Hours Can Cause Permanent Hearing Damage
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News18•15-10-2026, 16:13
Warning: Using Earbuds For Hours Can Cause Permanent Hearing Damage
- •Long-term use of earbuds at high volumes can damage the delicate hair cells inside the cochlea, which are responsible for hearing.
- •ENT specialist Dr. Omveer Singh warns that once these hearing cells are permanently damaged, they cannot be repaired naturally, often forcing patients to rely on hearing aids.
- •Experts recommend keeping the volume below 60 percent of the device's maximum capacity and taking regular breaks instead of listening continuously.
- •Warning signs like ringing in the ears, muffled hearing, or difficulty understanding conversations in crowds should never be ignored.
- •To protect hearing health, avoid sleeping with earbuds on, limit continuous usage, and consult an ENT specialist if any symptoms arise.
Key Questions Answered
Continuous exposure to loud noise and prolonged use of earbuds can permanently damage the delicate hair cells inside the cochlea. Once these sensory cells are permanently damaged, it is not naturally possible for the body to repair them.
Early indicators include hearing ringing or whistling sounds in the ears, experiencing temporary muffled hearing, needing to turn up TV or mobile volumes higher than before, or struggling to understand speech in crowded places.
Experts advise keeping the device volume below 60 percent of maximum capacity and taking regular breaks instead of listening continuously for hours. Additionally, individuals can use noise-cancelling headphones in loud environments and should avoid wearing earbuds while sleeping.
