Listen to Story The widespread use of earphones and headphones, especially among younger generations, is becoming a serious public health concern. With many young individuals frequently exposed to loud music for extended periods, the risk of developing noise-induced hearing disorders is on the rise. What was once considered an issue for older populations has now begun affecting people in their teens and twenties , with long-term consequences that are often irreversible.
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) occurs when the hair cells within the cochlea, a structure in the inner ear, are damaged by excessive sound. Over 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults worldwide are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices.
(Photo: Getty Images) According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults worldwide are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices. This includes exposure to loud music through earphones, especially when used for prolonged periods at high volumes.
"Short-term issues caused by using earphones include excessive earwax build-up that can extend deep into the ear canal, leading to infections and earaches. The tight fit of earphones may also cause discomfort , pain, and itching. In more acute cases, loud music can result in a Temporary Threshold Shift, causing temporary hearing loss," said Dr Amit Kumar Sharma, HOD & Senior Consultant, ENT, Cochlear Implant & Voice Disorders, SHALBY Sanar International Hospita.