Earphones are commonly used today. You know how it is to have a moment of your own with your favourite music or a show regardless of how many people are around you; pure bliss.
In this piece, we’ll not just be talking about earphones, we’ll talk about noise-cancelling earphones. They are amazing and can block out background noise, allowing you to enjoy your favorite music, movies, or even silence in the face of noise. But while they have different benefits, they also come with some side effects.
The thing is; if you’re not careful, they can hurt your ears, make it hard to hear what’s around you, and even put you in danger.
Let’s examine the effects of using noise-cancelling earphones and how to stay safe.
1. Hearing damage
Using your earphones for a long period, especially at a high volume can damage your hearing ability. It can damage the tiny hair cells in your ears — the ones that help you hear.
The thing is, once these cells are damaged, they don’t grow back. So, take caution and keep the volume of your device at a minimum range, say 50% to 60%.
2. Disconnection from people
There’s also the emotional and relational effect that this tends to have on us. A quick one. Have you ever experienced someone trying to talk to you while you had your earphones plugged in? You probably didn’t hear them.
If you use noise-cancelling earphones too often, especially when you’re not alone, you might miss out on important conversations and great interactions with family and friends. It could also cause a strain in your relationships.
3. Infections
Yes, that’s right. You are at risk of having ear infections if you constantly use noise-cancelling earphones. If you share earphones with people, you also are at a high risk of having infections.
Wearing them over a long period can trap moisture and bacteria in your ears, leading to infections.
So, to avoid this situation, avoid sharing them with people, wearing them for a long period, and do well to clean them regularly.
4. Distractions
Distractions can lead to costly mistakes or occurrences that may not be easy to correct. Mistakes such as not hearing important sounds while crossing the road, reduced awareness during an emergency — for example, if there’s a fire in a public place.
Every second counts in the face of an emergency, and your noise-cancelling earphones can make you lose the importance of taking a step at that moment.
So, next time, if you find yourself in a public place, avoid its use or lower its volume. Or you can keep one earbud out for a more heightened awareness of your environment.
5. Persistent headaches and dizziness
When using noise-cancelling earphones for too long, you can get headaches or feel dizzy. This could be because earphones block out noise in a way that can make you feel weird, especially in your head. If you ever feel that you have a headache or you’re feeling dizzy, ensure to take a break or use regular earphones.
In summary, noise-cancelling earphones are great, but you should use them with caution because of the consequences of not using them wisely. Remember to take breaks, lower the volume of your device, clean them regularly, and be more attentive to activities going on around you.
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