An MBBS student has claimed on social media that he suffered inflammation of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) after his Bluetooth earphones allegedly burst while in use.
According to his post on X (formerly Twitter), he typically uses earbuds for around 15 minutes at normal volume. However, on the day of the incident, he experienced a sudden “drilling machine-like sensation” in his ear, which he attributed to a malfunction in the earphones.
The claim quickly drew attention online. While some users expressed concern, others shared similar experiences. One user alleged that using Bluetooth earbuds from another brand led to a fungal infection. Several people advised switching to wired earphones to reduce potential risks, while a few suggested legal action against the manufacturer.
Are earbuds and loud headphones harmful?
Medical experts warn that improper use of earbuds and prolonged exposure to loud sounds can significantly impact hearing health.
Dr. Yashaswi Srikakula, Consultant ENT Surgeon at Vasavi Hospitals, says frequent use of earbuds, inserting objects into the ear, and listening at high volumes are emerging as common causes of hearing problems.
“The ear has three parts — external, middle and inner. Many people unknowingly damage the external ear by inserting objects like ear buds, safety pins or pens. This should be strictly avoided,” she was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
She added that early hearing loss is increasingly being observed among younger adults due to lifestyle habits.
Hearing loss is broadly classified into:
Continuous exposure to loud audio through headphones or wireless earbuds is a major contributor to hearing damage, the doctor said. “We are now seeing patients as young as 40 with hearing loss linked to prolonged exposure to high-decibel sound,” the doctor said.
Dr. Yashaswi said that one should keep volume levels moderate and limit usage duration. The doctor also advised others to use ear protection in noisy environments along with regular hearing check-ups.
According to his post on X (formerly Twitter), he typically uses earbuds for around 15 minutes at normal volume. However, on the day of the incident, he experienced a sudden “drilling machine-like sensation” in his ear, which he attributed to a malfunction in the earphones.
The claim quickly drew attention online. While some users expressed concern, others shared similar experiences. One user alleged that using Bluetooth earbuds from another brand led to a fungal infection. Several people advised switching to wired earphones to reduce potential risks, while a few suggested legal action against the manufacturer.
Are earbuds and loud headphones harmful?
Medical experts warn that improper use of earbuds and prolonged exposure to loud sounds can significantly impact hearing health.Dr. Yashaswi Srikakula, Consultant ENT Surgeon at Vasavi Hospitals, says frequent use of earbuds, inserting objects into the ear, and listening at high volumes are emerging as common causes of hearing problems.
“The ear has three parts — external, middle and inner. Many people unknowingly damage the external ear by inserting objects like ear buds, safety pins or pens. This should be strictly avoided,” she was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
She added that early hearing loss is increasingly being observed among younger adults due to lifestyle habits.
Hearing loss is broadly classified into:
- Conductive hearing loss, involving the outer or middle ear
- Sensorineural hearing loss, involving the inner ear or auditory nerve
- Certain conditions like otosclerosis, a genetic disorder affecting the middle ear bones, may also lead to hearing impairment and sometimes require surgical intervention.
Continuous exposure to loud audio through headphones or wireless earbuds is a major contributor to hearing damage, the doctor said. “We are now seeing patients as young as 40 with hearing loss linked to prolonged exposure to high-decibel sound,” the doctor said.
Dr. Yashaswi said that one should keep volume levels moderate and limit usage duration. The doctor also advised others to use ear protection in noisy environments along with regular hearing check-ups.
