Doctors Reveal 5 Things That May Happen When You Wear Headphones For Too Long

Jul 23, 2018

Many people wear headphones periodically throughout the week. Turning on music is a great way to get into your zone while working out, to block out background noises while in the office and more. While this commonplace activity may seem completely harmless, there are actually several dangers that you need to be aware of before you put your headphones on in the future.

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You may not realize it, but wearing headphones can create ideal conditions in your ear canal for an infection to develop. You naturally have some bacteria in your ear canal. When you wear headphones for an extended period of time, you create a space that is dark and perhaps moist for potentially an hour or longer. Wearing headphones that other people have worn may increase your likelihood of developing an infection. When your earbuds rub against your skin, they can cause abrasions that may become infected as well.

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Many people develop a momentary feeling of dizziness from time to time. However, you may be more likely to feel as though the room is spinning or as if you are off-balance after you wear headphones for a period of time. This may be because of the constant and loud vibrations in the ear canal. Keep in mind that vertigo may also cause vomiting and nausea.

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A study conducted by the World Health Organization in 2018 revealed that radiofrequency radiation, otherwise known as RF, has the same biological effect on male rats as carcinogens have. This may not be a concern if you use wired headphones, but wireless headphones that use Bluetooth technology may subject you to this type of radiation unnecessarily.

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You rely on your hearing to stay safe, to communicate with friends and family and perhaps even to earn a living. When your ears are exposed to loud sounds or even to moderate sounds for a long period of time, hearing loss may occur. If you choose to wear headphones, keep the volume at a moderate level and do not use the headphones for more than an hour at a time.

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If you are like most people who wear headphones, you may do so at least partially to block out the external world and to focus on a specific task. This may include working at your desk, cleaning the house or exercising. Unfortunately, when you tune out your external environment and get absorbed in the music and your task at hand, you could potentially put yourself in a dangerous situation. For example, it can be dangerous to run or walk outdoors with your music playing at a high volume. You will not be able to hear someone approaching from behind you, a car honking its horn and more.

You can see that wearing headphones for an extended period of time or even for a short period of time when the volume is at a lower level can be detrimental to your health in many ways. Pass this valuable information on to your friends and family, and leave your opinions or feedback.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!