Can wearing ear buds impact your hearing ability?

Earbuds have become a part of modern life, offering convenience and fine sound quality. Excessive use, however, can damage your hearing potential in the long run. There are several different hearing devices, including in-the-canal earplugs, earbuds that rest in the outer ear canal, and over-the-ear headphones. These devices all channel sound to the ear, and they provide many advantages to consumers. Yet improper use of the devices can contribute to a number of ear problems.
The WHO recommendations have provided the maximum number of hours of exposure to different intensities of sounds in order to avoid hearing loss. Normal conversation is 60-65 db. The average of personal devices is 80-85 dB. You need to be exposed to sounds above 90 db, say a lawn mower, for a maximum of 8 hours a day. If the sound is more than 100 dB, like in a discotheque, then the time should not exceed 2 hours.

According to Dr. Jafferhusein S. Sura, Consultant ENT Surgeon, Saifee Hospital, Mumbai, “Long-term headphone and earbud usage at loud levels may destroy the sensitive inner hair cells of the inner ear, which convey the sound signal to the brain. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that listening to volumes greater than 85 dB continuously might cause long-term hearing impairment. Alas, the vast majority of earbuds can drive the levels as high as 100 dB and hence make consumers vulnerable to such risk.”


According to Dr. Murarji Ghadge, ENT consultant at Ruby Hall Clinic Pune, “Those who wear earbuds often listen to their music at volumes so high that this can lead to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Gradual and stealthy in its development, NIHL is barely recognized until the sensitive escalations are severely perceptibly impaired. Typical signs and symptoms are muffled hearing, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and trouble hearing in noisy environments.”


Prolonged use of earbuds can lock bacteria and moisture in the ear canal, predisposing to infection. Repeated use also forces earwax further into the ear and causes blockage and temporary hearing loss.

In order to safeguard your hearing, use the 60/60 rule—listen no more than 60% volume for up to 60 minutes at a time. Noise-canceling earbuds are also useful because they let you listen to the same reduced levels by cutting back on background noise.

In case you are compelled to work using earphones for extended time spans
1. Do not scratch your ears—if you are experiencing dryness and itching, don't utilize your finger nails or any thing else to scratch your ears
2. Use lubricant in the form of coconut oil—particularly if you have dry skin and itchiness.
3. Use over-the-ear headphones whenever possible.
4. If using earphones/ear buds, ensure they are clean and kept in a clean environment. Clean the rubber tips with an alcohol swab from time to time.
5. Use them at recommended volumes only. Do not use them at high volumes for extended periods.
6. Provide sufficient rest to your ears from noise. Rest them every hour or so to facilitate auditory reset.
Therefore, one should not play loud music on the earphones for extended durations. It is advisable to maintain the volume of the device during the use of earphones to 60% of the maximum always. If you stay conscious of earbud usage, then you can play your favorite tunes to your heart's content without compromising the fitness of your hearing.