Published May 25, 2026 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated May 25, 2026 | 7:00 AM
Earbuds have become part of daily life. (iStock)
Synopsis: Earbuds have become like an extension of the body for many youngsters. Doctors say long hours of exposure to high-volume earphones, especially overnight, may, over time, affect hearing health and cause headaches, ringing in the ears, and listening fatigue.
The sight is too common. On buses, in gyms, hostels, offices, and even bedrooms, earphones have become almost inseparable for youngsters. Often, the volume is so high that others nearby can hear the audio leaking out.
They often sleep with earbuds still plugged in, waking up hours later with music, podcasts, or reels still playing in their ears.
From late-night gaming, binge-watching, to online classes and daily commutes, prolonged earbud use has quietly become a habit.
Doctors have now warned that prolonged exposure to high-volume audio, without giving the ears enough rest, may slowly affect hearing health over time.
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Speaking to South First, Dr Karthikeyan S, Senior Consultant Neurologist, MGM Hospitals in Chennai, said one concerning trend among young adults is overnight earphone usage.
“Nowadays, many youngsters sleep with earphones on, without realising the prolonged exposure,” he said.
Dr Karthikeyan said prolonged exposure to loud audio can gradually affect auditory nerve pathways and overall neurological well-being.
“People using earphones for long hours have a constant headache, and when there are high auditory reflexes, there can also be nerve damage,” he explained the ill effects of earbud misuse.
He added that “long-term complications can cause nerve damage, which may lead to hearing disturbance in the long term.”
Dr Karthikeyan said many people ignore early warning signs because they seem mild at first.
“Initially, symptoms may look mild — headache, dizziness, nausea — but persistent symptoms should not be ignored,” he says.
In severe, untreated infections, neurological complications can occur. “Altered sensorium, severe headache, vomiting, or confusion are warning signs which need immediate medical attention,” he added.
Altered sensorium refers to abnormal mental awareness, including confusion, disorientation, or reduced alertness.
Dr Harihara Murthy, Consultant ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Bengaluru, said younger patients are increasingly reporting symptoms linked to unsafe listening habits.
“What we are increasingly seeing is not just temporary ear discomfort, but early noise-induced auditory damage from prolonged earbud exposure at high volume,” he told South First.
Dr Murthy said many users unknowingly increase the volume while travelling or sitting in noisy surroundings like traffic or gyms, leading to prolonged sound exposure.
“Repeated high-volume listening can overstimulate the delicate sensory hair cells inside the cochlea. Once these cells are damaged, recovery is very limited,” he explained.
He said the body often gives subtle warning signs before serious hearing problems develop. “Patients initially come with symptoms like headaches, ringing sensation in the ears, ear fullness, and difficulty concentrating in noisy environments,” he said.
He added that “a temporary muffled sensation after removing earphones is not normal” and may indicate excessive sound exposure to the inner ear.
Doctors said safer listening habits — lower volume, regular breaks, and avoiding overnight earphone use — can go a long way in protecting long-term hearing health.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
