The Hidden Harm of Prolonged Headphone Use - A WHO Warning
In an age
where personal audio devices have become indispensable companions for work,
leisure, and communication, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a
sobering warning: using earpods and headphones for more than eight hours daily
can significantly damage hearing health.
This cautionary message comes amid growing global concern over the rise in hearing impairment linked to lifestyle habits, particularly among younger populations.
According
to health experts and audiologists, the danger lies not only in the duration of
use but also in the volume at which audio is consumed.
Modern
devices can reach sound levels exceeding 100 decibels, comparable to the noise
of a chainsaw or a rock concert.
Exposure
to such high volumes for extended periods accelerates the risk of noise-induced
hearing loss, a condition that is both irreversible and increasingly common.
The WHO
emphasizes that safe listening practices must be adopted to curb this emerging
public health issue. These include limiting headphone use to under eight hours
per day, keeping volume levels below 60% of the maximum, and taking regular
breaks to allow the ears to recover.
The
organization also advocates for the development of safer audio technologies and
public awareness campaigns to educate users on the risks.
In
Nigeria, where earpods and headphones are ubiquitous, from bustling city commutes
to quiet office spaces, the warning has sparked conversations among medical
professionals and tech users alike.
A recent
report by AIT Live highlighted that many individuals
wear these devices from morning till night, often unaware of the potential
harm. The report underscores that while these gadgets offer convenience and
style, they may be silently eroding auditory health.
Audiologists
further explain that the anatomy of the ear is not designed for continuous
exposure to amplified sound. The tiny hair cells in the cochlea, responsible
for transmitting sound signals to the brain, can be permanently damaged by
prolonged noise exposure. Symptoms of early hearing damage include ringing in
the ears (tinnitus), difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments, and
a gradual decline in hearing clarity.
The WHO’s
advisory is part of a broader initiative to promote hearing health globally,
especially as the use of personal audio devices continues to surge. With
millions of people relying on headphones for entertainment, work, and
education, the call for responsible usage is more urgent than ever.
As
technology evolves, so must our habits, ensuring that the sounds we love do not
become the silence we regret.
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