Neurologists and public health professionals have strongly refuted the claim, calling it scientifically inaccurate and unnecessarily panic-inducing.
Published Aug 07, 2025 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 07, 2025 | 7:00 AM
Synopsis: A Bengaluru neurosurgeon’s video claiming AirPods and Bluetooth earbuds can “fry your brain” sparked backlash from experts, who called it misleading and alarmist. Specialists clarified that Bluetooth emits low-power, non-ionizing radiation far weaker than microwaves, posing no brain risk. Real concerns involve hearing loss, ear infections, and tinnitus from prolonged or high-volume use. Misinformation from medical professionals was strongly condemned.
A video by a Bengaluru-based neurosurgeon claiming that Apple AirPods and similar Bluetooth earbuds can “fry your brain” like microwave ovens has sparked backlash from health professionals and scientists, who say the claim is not just misleading but also alarmist.
Dr Sharan Srinivasan, a stereotactic functional neurosurgeon at PRS Neurosciences, asserted in a recent video that the Bluetooth signals emitted by AirPods operate at microwave frequencies and are harmful to the brain.
“Data has shown that the microwave waves produced by the AirPods that many of you are wearing is known to create so much [damage]. It can fry your brain because it’s the same frequency that is used in microwaves,” Dr Srinivasan said.
“Even today, I use wired headphones when I’m in the park. Everyone looks at me like I’ve come from the Stone Age… but I don’t want my brain to get fried. Do you want?”
However, medical experts and researchers have dismissed the statement as scientifically unfounded.
Neurologists and public health professionals have strongly refuted the claim, calling it scientifically inaccurate and unnecessarily panic-inducing.
Dr Sudhir Kumar, a Hyderabad-based neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, called the video “misinformation with potentially serious consequences,” especially since it came from a qualified neurosurgeon.
“When such statements come from a medical professional, especially a neurosurgeon, it creates panic,” Dr Kumar told South First. “More than half, or maybe even three-fourths of the population today use headphones, earbuds or AirPods. So when someone casually compares them to microwave ovens, it can have a widespread and damaging impact.”
Dr Kumar emphasised that no scientific study has ever shown that Bluetooth earbuds cause brain damage or emit harmful radiation levels.
“Many studies have been conducted on this topic, and none have shown that AirPods damage brain cells, impair brain function, or increase the risk of brain tumours. These devices emit non-ionising radiation, which is different from ionising radiation that can damage DNA and potentially cause cancer. This distinction has been known since the late 1990s, when similar concerns were raised about mobile phones.”
He added, “If someone claims Bluetooth devices damage the brain, they need to cite proper scientific studies or case evidence. You can’t just make such sweeping statements without data. That’s not how responsible medical communication works.”
“Good example of not to always believe what a doctor tells you. Always recheck and research a bit especially if it sounds absurd. #MedTwitter,” said Bengaluru based Cardiologist Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy on X.
Good example of not to always believe what a doctor tells you. Always recheck and research a bit especially if it sounds absurd. #MedTwitter https://t.co/n4VHotqwet
— Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy (@DrDeepakKrishn1) August 5, 2025
AirPods and other wireless earbuds use Bluetooth technology, which operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency range—the same range used by microwave ovens. But experts clarify that frequency alone doesn’t determine risk.
Microwaves use high-power electromagnetic radiation to rapidly heat food, whereas AirPods emit Bluetooth signals at extremely low power—thousands to millions of times weaker than a microwave oven. Both fall under the category of non-ionizing radiation, which lacks the energy needed to damage DNA or cause tissue heating at such low intensities.
It’s not the frequency that matters; it’s the power. AirPods operate at a fraction of the power output of smartphones, and even those are considered safe when used responsibly.
Multiple peer-reviewed studies, including one published in Environmental Research in 2019, have found that Bluetooth headsets emit between 10 and 400 times less radiation than smartphones.
Specific absorption rate (SAR) values—used to measure the rate of radiofrequency energy absorbed by the body—are dramatically lower for Bluetooth devices, typically around 0.001–0.003 W/kg, compared to smartphones, which can go up to 2 W/kg.
Global regulatory agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) have reviewed the available evidence and found no credible link between low-level RF exposure from Bluetooth devices and adverse health outcomes, including cancer or neurodegeneration.
In fact, many health experts consider Bluetooth headsets a safer alternative to holding smartphones against the ear, particularly during long calls.
While the radiation concerns are unfounded, doctors warn of other risks associated with prolonged use of earbuds.
Hearing loss from excessive volume is a real concern. Also, wearing earbuds for long hours can lead to wax buildup or even ear infections due to poor hygiene.
While the radiation concern is unsubstantiated, Dr Kumar pointed out some real and well-documented risks from improper earbud use—such as hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear infections.
“Listening to music or videos at high volumes for long periods can result in hearing loss, which is a proven risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease,” he said, citing recent studies including one from The Lancet that links untreated hearing impairment with cognitive decline.
“If Dr Srinivasan had framed the concern around high volume usage or social isolation caused by excessive screen time, that would have been valid. But he didn’t. Instead, he blamed the technology itself.”
Dr Kumar recommends following the 60-60 rule: keep volume at no more than 60 percent of the maximum, and listen for no more than 60 minutes at a stretch before taking a break. This applies equally to both wired and wireless headphones.
Dr Kumar also raised concerns about a growing trend of medical misinformation, even from qualified professionals.
“There’s a pattern now where some doctors highlight the rarest of rare conditions or theoretical risks just to grab attention,” he said, adding, “It creates unnecessary panic. If you’re talking about a one-in-10,000 complication, it’s misleading to present it as a common threat.”
He added that the claim about AirPods is not even one of those rare complications—there is no documented case or scientific publication showing AirPods cause brain damage.
“I searched thoroughly after seeing the video—there’s absolutely nothing in the medical literature to support this claim. In fact, similar claims have been circulating since Bluetooth earbuds were introduced in 2014–15, and have been repeatedly debunked.”
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
