Are your headphones silently damaging your hearing? With increasing dependence on earphones and headphones for music, calls, or online meetings many of you are unknowingly putting your hearing at risk. Listening at high volumes, especially above 85 decibels, for long periods can gradually lead to permanent hearing loss. In-ear devices that sit deep in the ear canal push sound closer to the eardrum, increasing the risk even more. Early signs of hearing damage may include ringing in the ears (tinnitus), needing higher volume to hear clearly, muffled hearing after listening sessions, or difficulty understanding speech in noisy settings. These symptoms often go unnoticed until the damage is significant and irreversible. The good news is, hearing loss from headphones is preventable. Follow the 60/60 rule—keep volume under 60% and limit listening to 60 minutes at a time. Take regular breaks, and avoid sleeping with earphones in. If you notice changes in your hearing, consult an ENT specialist for an early evaluation.
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