Do headphones cause hearing loss?

Long-term overexposure to loud music can harm the ear and lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss. The phrase "noise-induced hearing loss" describes hearing loss brought on by exposure to loud noise. In this post, we'll talk about hearing loss brought on by headphones, the symptoms of hearing loss, and how to avoid it.

Do headphones cause hearing loss?

After age-related hearing loss, noise-induced hearing loss is the most typical kind of sensorineural hearing loss. Long-term exposure to loud noise damages the hearing. The auditory nerve and hair cells of the cochlea, or inner ear, are harmed as a result.

A 2021 study by Trusted Source estimates that 1.7% of individuals globally suffer from hearing loss brought on by noise.According to the study, using headphones in a loud setting increases the chance of hearing loss by 4.5 times.

85 dBA for 8 hours per day is the recommended sound exposure level. Long-term or persistent hearing loss can result from exposure to noises that are 85 dBA or louder. Even moderately loud headphone use over time might harm your hearing. Damage is brought on by both the volume and the duration of exposure.

Warning signs of hearing loss

Hearing muffled sounds, difficulty understanding conversations in noisy environments, difficulty hearing high-pitch sounds, difficulty hearing speech consonants, ringing in the ears, asking someone to repeat themselves or speak loudly, or hypersensitivity to certain sounds are a few common warning signs of hearing loss.People who have any of the above symptoms should consult a doctor. People may receive a referral to a hearing doctor.

Diagnosing hearing issues and loss

Screening Hearing loss treatment with Trusted Source is a very easy and pleasant process. The doctor will first do an otoscopy, or physical examination of the ear, if someone feels they have hearing loss.This procedure examinesTrusted Source the structures of the ear, such as:

The external auditory canal: The tympanic membrane, often known as the eardrum, is approached by sound through the ear canal.

The tympanic membrane: A thin membrane that serves as both a transmission and an amplifier for a trusted source.

The middle ear: For auditory transduction, or turning sound into an electrical waveform, this portion of the ear links external sound waves with the inner ear.

How to treat hearing loss

Doctors can help patients hear better using a variety of means, such as hearing aids, middle ear implants, cochlear implants, lip reading, and sign language. The best solution for a person's noise-induced hearing loss might be investigated by a hearing specialist.

Ways to prevent hearing loss with headphones

Some of the approaches to prevent hearing loss with headphones include:

Lowering the volume of your headphones below the advised setting to reduce your exposure to loud sounds. People can listen to their music at low volumes by using noise-canceling headphones to shut out outside sounds. Use over-the-ear headphones in place of earbuds or in-ear models.

One can utilize ear protection when in noisy situations or events and reduce the volume even when not using headphones, such as on televisions or cellphones.

Summary

Overuse of headphones can harm the auditory nerve and the inner ear's hair cells, which can result in irreversible hearing loss.
When utilizing headphones, people must take pauses. Additionally, they should stay away from noise exposure that is too loud. If someone exhibits any early indicators of hearing loss, they should see an ear doctor so they can get a proper diagnosis and course of therapy.