Risk of Hearing Loss due to Frequent Use of Headsets
Risk of Hearing Loss due to Frequent Listening to Headsets
The World Health Organization (WHO) says more than 1 billion people aged 12-35 years are at risk of hearing loss because they often hear loud or noisy sounds using headsets.
A headset is a handy hands-free accessory for listening to sound from your phone. This tool is often worn in the ear and feels comfortable.
Headsets can also be used to talk directly on the phone without having to put the cellphone to your ear.Apart from the phone, this accessory is most often used for listening to songs.
Headsets can be obtained at an economical price. Many people then can not escape from its use. Starting from morning until back to sleep again. There are even people who deliberately sleep while using a headset to listen to music. Instead of wanting to sleep soundly and comfortably, there are bad effects that lurk on health.
The risks of hearing loss from frequent use of headsets include:
• Hearing loss or impairment
• Ringing / buzzing ears (tinnitus)
• Ear canal infection
• Pain and inflammation in the ear
• Earwax buildup
The bad effects of using a headset on health:
• Radiation.
All cell phones and headsets emit radiation. One of the effects of radiation from using cellphones and headsets is that it can cause long-term dangers such as cancer. In addition, it is also associated with autism, brain tumors to hair loss.
• Premature Hearing Loss
Another risk associated with headsets is premature hearing loss. This risk arises due to acoustic injury resulting from excessive noise passing through the telephone line. Repeated exposure causes inner ear damage, which can eventually lead to hearing loss and other hearing-related health problems. It is important to check and adjust the volume level of your headset before putting it on. Do not use the headset too often at high volume.
• Pimple
Headsets can trigger acne to thrive on the face, using a headset will cause acne to infection on the facial skin. Especially if you use it while exercising, the sweat that appears and gathers on the headset is full of germs.
• Transmission of germs and bacteria
Phones and headsets can be a breeding ground for germs. Cell phones and headsets contain more germs than germs in the closet. So clean the headset regularly with a disinfectant product to help reduce the buildup of disease-causing germs.
• Vocal injuries
Improper use of a headset can cause vocal strain, especially if the person using the headset talks all day long. Therefore, if the headset has an adjustable microphone, make sure it is positioned in such a way. So it can pick up a clear signal from your voice, so you don't have to struggle to speak even to scream. Speak calmly and casually throughout the day to help prevent vocal injuries.
Meanwhile, if the headset only has an earpiece with a microphone attached, make sure the input level is raised high enough so that you don't have to force high sound.
• Bad effects on the brain
The electromagnetic waves generated by the headset can cause serious harm to the brain. That's because the inner ear is directly connected to the brain.
The initial effect appears to be a headache. It also results in inner ear infections, directly affecting the brain and can cause serious health problems.
• Resulting in an accident that threatens the body
The effect of all that is the increased risk of road accidents due to people frequently using headsets. Many people use headsets while on the road.
There are also people who have been affected by the headset being in traffic. For example, those whose ears have been disturbed, then cannot hear the horn properly. Then came the accident due to it.
Tips for using a safe headset:
• Lower the volume to a comfortable listening level
• 60/60 Rules (Volume < 60% is still too loud, set the headset audio output on the smartphone to a maximum of < 85 dB
• Use a headset with noise cancellation
• Rest your ears between periods of wearing the headset
• Keep the headset clean
• Avoid using a headset while sleeping
• Check ear hygiene regularly to the doctor and avoid cleaning your own ears
When to see an ENT specialist:
• If the ear is ringing or buzzing in the ear
• Difficulty understanding conversations or hearing voices
• Cannot hear high pitched sounds
• Itching or pain in the ear
• Ears feel full
• Discharge from the ear
Listening to music using a headset is fun, but having healthy ears is everyone's dream. Maintaining ear health so that hearing quality is maintained is mandatory, do not delay visiting an ENT specialist if you feel something is uncomfortable in the ear.
Do not wait until there are complaints and do regular ear examinations to maintain ear health. Hearing lost due to noise cannot be recovered. Prevention is paramount. Choosing the right headset also affects ear health, choose a headset safely and have your ears checked regularly.