Study links excessive earphone use to hearing loss, health risks

A new study has warned that the widespread use of earphones carries significant risks for auditory, psychological, and overall health, particularly among young people.

The research, led by Aditya Saran and colleagues, is titled “Assessment of the Impact on Health Associated with Earphone Usage among Medical Students: A Questionnaire-Based Cross-Sectional Study” and was published in the International Journal of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery.

The study employed a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based design to examine earphone usage patterns and associated health outcomes among medical students.

The researchers highlighted Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) as a major global health concern. According to the study, more than one billion people aged 12 to 35 years are at risk of NIHL due to recreational exposure to unsafe decibel levels.

READ ALSO: Sickle Cell: NGO advocates jerk up of health budget, empowers 400 patients

Hearing impact: Prolonged exposure to high-decibel noise damages the cochlea’s hair cells, leading to sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus (phantom sounds in the ear).

Prevalence in India: The study noted that one in every 12 people in India already suffers some degree of hearing impairment linked to excessive earphone usage.

Symptoms reported: Students surveyed reported dizziness, tinnitus, speech comprehension difficulties, reduced hearing acuity, headaches, ear pain, itching, and psychological effects such as anxiety and depressive symptoms.

The authors referenced six to eight prior studies, which similarly found common health complaints among students who regularly use earphones, strengthening the evidence base that links prolonged use to multidimensional health consequences.

The researchers urged urgent action to address the issue, particularly among young people and students who rely heavily on earphones for music, gaming, and online lectures.

WHO guidance: Earphone use should be limited to no more than one hour per day.

Safer practices: Users should limit listening duration, maintain hygiene, and prioritise safer earphone types.

Public health response: Awareness campaigns and interventions are needed to promote safe listening practices and prevent long-term health risks.

The study underscores that earphone use is no longer a mere lifestyle habit but a growing public health concern with auditory, systemic, and psychological consequences. It calls for a balance between the convenience of earphones and the adoption of safe listening practices to prevent a potential wave of avoidable hearing loss and related health complications worldwide.