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Loud Earphones Damage Hearing Permanently
31 Aug
Summary
- Earphones at max volume deliver 120-140 decibels, far exceeding safe limits.
- High decibel sound causes irreparable damage to delicate inner ear hair cells.
- Damaged hair cells in the cochlea do not regenerate, leading to permanent hearing loss.
Dr. Animesh Banerjee, an ENT specialist at Even Healthcare in Bengaluru, is observing a concerning trend: young patients often believe their hearing is intact, yet they struggle with conversations and phone calls.
These individuals frequently use earphones at maximum volume for extended periods. Dr. Banerjee explains that while 80 decibels is considered safe for eight hours, earphones at full volume can blast 120-140 decibels directly into the ear canal, causing significant harm.
The inner ear's cochlea contains microscopic hair cells crucial for processing sound. Sustained exposure to excessively loud noise damages and destroys these cells, leading to permanent hearing loss.
Dr. Banerjee advises that ringing or muffled hearing should be treated as urgent warnings, prompting early medical consultation. He recommends the 60:60 rule for safe listening habits.
