Regular wearing of internal headphones can lead to ENT diseases, otolaryngologist of the highest category, candidate of medical sciences Vladimir Zaitsev told Sputnik radio.
As the specialist explained, due to the fact that the ear is plugged for a very long time, fungal otitis media (otomycosis) may develop. Especially, the doctor noted, this risk is high in people who use hearing aids or work with headphones, for example, in call centers.
“The second point is that there is sulfur in the ear canal, and by plugging the ear with an earpiece, we simply push the sulfur into the depths and press it, it starts to stick to the eardrum, and a dense sulfur plug is formed. The ear will initially be blocked, and then the so-called contact otitis media will develop, ”he warned.
In addition, the otolaryngologist emphasized that due to loose contact, the earphone has to be pushed deeper and it ends up at the eardrum and strongly affects the inner ear, especially if you listen to loud music.
“From this, the hairy auditory cells, the so-called organ of Corti, suffer and begin to die off irrevocably,” Zaitsev said.
The expert advised not to use headphones in public transport, because it is very noisy there, but rather use them outdoors. As for the duration, the doctor recommended twice a day for half an hour and not at maximum volume, but at 50%.
He also pointed out the advantage of on-ear headphones that completely cover the auricle, which allows you to isolate from ambient noise and hear everything well without turning on the sound at full volume.
On March 3, otolaryngologists gave recommendations on choosing and wearing headphones.