NEW DELHI: The health ministry has issued a warning against prolonged use of earphones and headphones, suggesting that these devices, whether wired or wireless, should not be used for more than two hours daily. If used for this duration, frequent breaks should be taken during listening sessions.
In a letter to all states/UTs for further dissemination to the public, director general of health services Dr Atul Goel said recent studies have shown prolonged and excessive exposure to loud music and other sounds through personal audio devices can lead to irreversible hearing damage. “Evidence has shown there is a temporary shift of hearing acuity (ability to hear and distinguish sounds) after prolonged use of an earphone/headphone or ear plug, which is generally a high-frequency hearing loss that is not easily noticeable in day-to-day life,” he said.
“If unsafe use of earphones/headphones/earplugs is prolonged and persistent, this shift of hearing acuity can be permanent and result in permanent hearing loss. Certain individuals may also develop a persistent ear ringing or buzzing noise called tinnitus because of prolonged unsafe use,” the senior official said.
The young population, Goel said, is at a higher risk due to unsafe listening practices. The rise of online gaming culture is also putting children at risk of exposure to the impulse of high decibel sounds, he added.
“Once hearing is permanently impaired, normal hearing will never be restored by hearing aids or cochlear implants. Further, persistent tinnitus from a young age can lead to diverse psychological issues including but not limited to depression,” he added.
