A recent study has associated the use of earphone with significant auditory, systemic, and psychological health implications.
The research, carried by Aditya Saran and other scientists is entitled: “Assessment of the impact on health associated with earphone usage among medical students: a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study.
It was published in the International Journal of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery.
The study was conducted employing a cross-sectional, questionnaire based design to gather data on earphone usage patterns and health impacts among medical students.
The research found that Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is a significant global public health concern.
According to the scientists, this condition affects no fewer than one billion individuals aged 12 to 35 years who are at risk due to recreational exposure to high decibel levels.
“Exposure to high-decibel noise can lead to NIHL and tinnitus.
“NIHL results from damage to the cochlea’s hair cells due to excessive noise, leading to sensorineural hearing loss.
“Tinnitus, characterised by phantom auditory perceptions, is often associated with such cochlear damage,” the scholars said.
The researchers said that in India, the location of the study, excessive earphone usage had been linked to an increasing prevalence of hearing impairment, affecting approximately one in every 12 individuals.
According to them, prolonged earphone usage leads to symptoms like dizziness, tinnitus, speech comprehension difficulties, and diminished auditory acuity.
The said that six to eight previous studies had reported common complaints among students, including headache, ear pain, itching and impaired hearing associated with conditions like tinnitus and anxiety/depressive symptoms.
They recommended that actions be taken to mitigate the challenge posed by the situation.
“Given the pervasive use of earphones among medical students for music, lecture videos, and gaming, there is a critical need to examine their usage patterns and potential health consequences.
“WHO guidelines recommend limiting earphone use to one hour daily to mitigate risks,” the team said.
This study underscored the multidimensional health risks associated with earphone use and emphasised the critical need for awareness campaigns and formulating public health interventions promoting safe listening practices.
It advised that by adopting strategies like limiting usage duration, maintaining hygiene, and prioritising safer earphone types, users could significantly reduce adverse outcomes.
