The coronavirus pandemic has noticeably reduced the intensity of sounds in our everyday surroundings, whether from traffic or industry. However, this does not mean that hearing deterioration has become less likely.
The pandemic changed how we study and work, with most people moving to remote arrangements and using headphones for online lessons, phone calls and video meetings, thereby bringing noise directly into their ears. Headphones have become an almost inseparable part of life, and using them incorrectly may have serious health consequences, including irreversible hearing damage.
‘If we use headphones, we should use them for both ears rather than just one, because using an earpiece on only one side is much worse. We should keep the volume moderate, and if we wear headphones throughout the working day, we should let our ears rest,’ notes Professor Piotr H. Skarżyński.
Headphones are used for studying and work, but above all for entertainment, especially listening to music.
‘People who listen to music for too long at maximum headphone volume put a strain on their ears. If someone particularly enjoys listening through headphones, especially in-ear models, I recommend taking regular breaks: 10 minutes for every 1 hour of listening. Remove the headphones and let the ear rest. If we wear them for a very long time, our external ear canals begin to narrow and infection may develop,’ says Prof. Piotr H. Skarżyński.
When choosing headphones for everyday work or study, consider their filters, noise cancellation and similar features. Avoid earbud-type headphones.
‘As a precaution, set the volume to zero when connecting headphones to a sound source: a sudden increase in high-frequency sound intensity is very dangerous. It causes the greatest hearing damage and, in extreme cases, even irreversible hearing loss. Patients presenting with this problem show characteristic damage at 4–6 thousand hertz. They begin to experience tinnitus and ringing. Unfortunately, such noise-induced damage is irreversible,’ warns Prof. Piotr H. Skarżyński.
Appropriate headphone hygiene is also important to prevent ear canal infection.
Prolonged noise can impair hearing and affect general wellbeing, causing headaches and cardiac, breathing and even digestive disturbances. Giving hearing a rest is very important. Symptoms should not be ignored, and if they occur, an otorhinolaryngologist should be consulted.
Source: TVP 3 Warszawa and Wirtualnemedia.pl