Earbuds, commonly used for personal listening, can indeed cause ear infections and hearing damage if not used properly. Michaelides suggests taking breaks of at least five to ten minutes for every hour of earbud use. These breaks allow air to circulate in the ears, reducing the risk of infections and irritation caused by prolonged use and friction.
Personal listening devices typically have a maximum volume of about 105 to 110 dB. It’s important to note that exposure to sound levels above 85 dB, which is comparable to the noise of a lawnmower or leaf blower, can lead to ear damage if exposure lasts more than two hours. Moreover, listening to sounds at 105 dB poses a significant risk of hearing damage.
Swimmer’s ear, an infection of the outer ear canal, is often caused by moisture that aids bacterial growth in the ear, especially common among individuals who spend much time in water. Medicated antibiotic eardrops are usually prescribed to treat swimmer’s ear.
Using cotton swabs can remove the natural moisture the ear canal needs for self-cleaning, leading to ear infections and itchiness. Over-the-ear headphones are safer as they are designed to filter out ambient noise and reduce the likelihood of ear damage.
Otitis media, an infection occurring in the middle ear behind the eardrum, is caused by bacteria or viruses from the nose and throat. It’s characterized by inflammation and fluid buildup. This condition is different from otitis externa (swimmer’s ear), which affects the outer ear.
Damage to the tiny hair cells in the ear, responsible for sending sound messages to the brain, can result in permanent hearing loss. These hair cells, once damaged, cannot regenerate. Therefore, it’s crucial to use earbuds responsibly to avoid early volume adaptation and subsequent hearing damage.
Parents should be aware that while ear infections themselves are not contagious, the colds leading to them are. These colds spread through germs released during coughing or sneezing. Anything that reduces the spread of colds can consequently decrease the likelihood of ear infections.
Middle ear infections, or otitis media, can occur when congestion from an allergy or cold blocks the Eustachian tube. This leads to fluid and pressure buildup, allowing bacteria or viruses in the middle ear to multiply and cause infection. Middle ear infections are a common reason for medical consultation.
For more detailed information, please visit the following sources:
RUSH,
Harvard Health,
Mayo Clinic Health System,
Baylor College of Medicine,
Ohio State Medical Center, and
Ohio State Medical Center.
