Earpods & Hearing Loss: Experts Warn About Prolonged Use & High Volume Risks

• Earpods' direct placement near the eardrum and snug seal intensify sound, increasing pressure in the inner ear, as explained by Dr Shrekha Padmakshan, ENT, Fortis Hospital Kalyan.
• Prolonged exposure to loud sounds damages delicate hair cells in the inner ear, leading to permanent hearing loss as these cells do not regenerate.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) warns 1.1 billion young people globally are at risk of hearing damage due to unsafe listening habits.
• Experts recommend the "60/60 rule": listen at no more than 60% volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a stretch, taking breaks.
• Noise-cancelling headphones help avoid increasing volume in noisy environments (Lombard effect) and reduce risks of ear infections and earwax blockages.