An audiologist at Capital Healthcare, Akanchawa Emmanuel, has warned Nigerians against prolonged use of earphones at high volumes, saying the habit could cause permanent hearing damage and other long-term auditory health complications.

Ms Emmanuel gave the warning on Tuesday in Benin City, urging Nigerians to adopt safer listening habits and undergo regular hearing assessments.

She explained that hearing depended on delicate hair cells in the inner ear, which converted sound waves into electrical signals transmitted to the brain, noting that damaged cells could not regenerate.

According to her, normal hearing ranges from zero to 25 decibels, while prolonged exposure to sounds above safe levels through earphones can gradually cause irreversible hearing impairment.

“The number one thing that damages these hair cells is loud sound. Once they are destroyed, they are gone permanently,” she said.

Ms Emmanuel said that many earphone users gradually increased volume levels over time, exposing themselves to cumulative hearing damage without recognising the long-term effects of their listening habits.

She warned that prolonged exposure to loud sounds could also trigger tinnitus, a persistent ringing or buzzing sensation in the ears that might become permanent in severe cases.

The audiologist identified teenagers and young adults aged 15 to 35 as the largest group of earphone users, driven largely by smartphone-based music streaming, gaming, and communication.

She said that many people increased the volume while commuting or in noisy environments to block out background noise, thereby exposing themselves to potentially harmful listening conditions.

“The devices themselves are not harmful. The problem lies in how they are used,” she said.

Ms Emmanuel advised users to reduce the volume whenever others nearby could hear sounds from their earphones, warning that prolonged listening sessions might cause temporary hearing difficulties afterwards.

She recommended adherence to the 60/60 rule, which encouraged listening at about 60 per cent volume for no more than 60 minutes at a stretch.

The audiologist also cautioned against sleeping with earphones, explaining that doing so prevented the ears from resting and unnecessarily increased exposure to potentially damaging sound levels.

According to her, prolonged use of in-ear devices may trap moisture in the ear canal, increasing the likelihood of irritation, infections, and excessive earwax accumulation.

Ms Emmanuel further explained simple ear-pressure relief techniques, including the Valsalva manoeuvre, commonly used to relieve blocked ears during air travel and sudden atmospheric pressure changes.

She said the technique involved gently closing the mouth, pinching the nostrils and blowing softly through the nose until a slight “pop” is felt in the ears.

The audiologist, however, warned that the manoeuvre must be performed carefully to avoid damaging the eardrum, adding that swallowing, yawning or chewing gum might also provide relief.

She advised users to clean earphones regularly, avoid sharing them, and consider noise-cancelling headphones, which help reduce background noise and enable safer listening at lower volumes.

Ms Emmanuel said that hearing problems often developed gradually, with early warning signs including muffled hearing, difficulty following conversations and persistent ringing sensations after earphone use.

A Benin resident, Ben Ukachi, said he frequently used earphones for privacy and to block environmental noise, but intended to reduce his use following the audiologist’s warning.

“I may not stop using it completely, but I will reduce the amount of time I spend using it,” he said.

(NAN)