Sleeping with Earbud may cause hearing damage, ear infections, experts warn

Regularly sleeping with earbuds in the ears could increase the risk of hearing problems, earwax accumulation and ear infections, ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists have warned.

The experts cautioned that prolonged exposure to sound, particularly at high volumes, could damage the auditory system, while keeping earbuds inside the ear canal for extended periods could trap moisture, interfere with earwax movement and encourage inflammation.

They advised users to reduce listening volumes, take regular breaks and avoid wearing earbuds throughout the night.

WHO recommends volume below 60 per cent

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the risk of hearing damage depends on the loudness, duration and frequency of sound exposure.

According to the organisation, prolonged exposure to loud noise can initially cause temporary hearing loss or tinnitus, while repeated or continuous exposure may permanently damage sensory cells and other structures in the inner ear.

The WHO estimates that more than one billion people aged 12 to 35 are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe recreational exposure to loud sounds, including audio from personal listening devices.

It recommends keeping headphone or earbud volume below 60 per cent of the maximum and taking regular breaks from listening.

In Nigeria, a WHO regional report puts the prevalence of disabling hearing loss at 6.7 per cent, identifying impacted earwax, chronic otitis media and age-related hearing loss among leading causes.

A Nigerian study involving 272 prolonged headphone and earphone users and an equal number of non-users in Kaduna found hearing loss in 17.6 per cent of users, compared with 7.4 per cent among non-users.

ENT surgeon warns of permanent hearing loss

Dr Mustapha Lawal, a specialist ENT surgeon at the National Ear Care Centre, Kaduna, said the effects of prolonged earphone use depended on the loudness of sound and the duration of exposure.

Lawal explained that symptoms such as tinnitus, dizziness and unusual sensations in the ear could occur before more serious hearing problems developed.

“Long-term hearing loss; short-term, there will be some symptoms, like tinnitus, dizziness, and sensations in the ear,” he said.

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According to the specialist, prolonged exposure could initially cause a temporary threshold shift, in which hearing becomes temporarily less sensitive.

He noted that the effect could occur even when the sound was not extremely loud if exposure continued for several hours.

“If the noise is not that loud, however, it is on for several hours,” Lawal stated.

He stressed the importance of allowing the ears to rest, warning that continued exposure could result in permanent damage.

“Once it has gone through what you call a permanent threshold shift, permanent threshold shift, then that one is irreversible,” he said.

Lawal added that prolonged noise exposure could affect concentration, communication and quality of life when hearing difficulties began interfering with everyday interactions.

Earbuds may encourage wax retention, infections

A Professor of Ear, Nose and Throat and Head and Neck Surgery at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State, Adoga Agida Samuel, warned that sleeping with earbuds could also affect the health of the ear canal.

Samuel explained that prolonged occlusion of the ear could encourage inflammation and infection, while some users might react to materials used in earbuds.

He identified wax retention as another potential problem, noting that accumulated earwax could block the ear canal and cause conductive hearing loss.

“Wax retention takes a while but becomes a problem because it builds up,” Samuel said.

The professor also warned that exposure to sound above safe levels could cause temporary reductions in hearing acuity and, with continued exposure, permanent hearing damage.

“Exposure of greater than 85dB over 8 hours has different effects. Some immediate injury, causing a temporary threshold shift,” he stated.

Samuel explained that continuous exposure could eventually damage the sensory hair cells responsible for hearing.

“Persistent or continuous exposure will cause oxidative injury; many chemicals will be released, leading to hair cell death and permanent hearing loss,” he said.

Experts advise users not to ignore symptoms

Samuel advised people experiencing ear pain, severe itching, tinnitus or reduced hearing to seek medical attention.

“For infections, pain and severe itching may be fungus,” he stated.

The specialists urged earbud users to maintain proper hygiene, avoid inserting objects into the ear canal to remove wax and seek evaluation from an ENT specialist when symptoms persist.

While sleeping with earbuds does not automatically cause hearing loss, experts caution that prolonged use, excessive volume and continuous exposure may increase the risk of hearing-related complications.