Long earphone use may harm hearing, follow the 60/60 rule: ENT doctor

Listening to music makes the day go easier, whether you are doing routine tasks at work or on the long commute home.

Having something playing in the background just makes everything a little lighter.

It can lift your mood instantly.

But in the chase for distraction and a lighter mood, many wear earphones for hours, sometimes at high volumes, which can silently damage our hearing over time.

HT Lifestyle spoke to Dr Deepti Sinha, lead consultant, department of ENT at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, who warned that long hours on earphones can harm hearing, and the warning signs may not even be immediate.

Sharing the cases she sees often, Dr Sinha elaborated, "I notice that more patients, especially young adults, are showing early signs of noise-induced hearing loss from prolonged and loud earphone use."

This shows that hearing loss, which is often associated with older populations, is now showing up in younger populations.

Everyday habits like listening to music at high volumes are starting to take a toll on hearing health much earlier than expected.

And the biggest concern? Often, the signs do not show up immediately. The damage happens gradually.

Why may hearing issues occur?

"Unlike other health issues, hearing damage usually happens slowly and without pain, making it easy to overlook until it becomes permanent," the ENT doctor alerted again.

So while many other health problems give warning signs, hearing loss sneaks up and does not give any prominent signs. And by the time people notice changes in their hearing, irreversible damage may already have occurred.

The biggest risk factor, as told by the doctor, is listening to music at a high volume. "Listening to music or audio above 85 decibels can start to damage the sensitive hair cells in the inner ear. These cells do not regenerate, so any injury is permanent," he said.

Hacks to protect hearing

Dr Sinha recommended following the 60/60 rule.

"Follow the 60/60 rule. Avoid listening at more than 60% of maximum volume for longer than 60 minutes at a time," the doctor urged people to keep the volume low.

"Even at safe volume levels, continuous exposure can strain the auditory system. Ideally, earphone use should be limited to about an hour, followed by at least a five-minute break to let your ears recover."

Another hack he suggested was using noise-cancelling earphones in loud areas. By blocking background noise, they reduce the need to crank up the volume.

Warning signs

Here are some of the signs the doctor advised watching out for, as they could indicate early hearing damage and require prompt consultation with an ENT specialist.

• Persistent ringing in the ears
• Muffled hearing
• Difficulty understanding speech
• Feeling of fullness in the ears

He reminded readers that those over 50, especially those with conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, should get annual hearing check-ups, as these health issues can also affect hearing.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.