Earpieces are a common sight in today’s world. From pedestrians talking on their phones, to security operatives on patrol, and, of course, people who just enjoy a bit of music or a podcast while they’re out and about, earpieces seem to be everywhere these days.
But are earpieces actually good for the ears, or should people exercise caution when using them?
Earpieces are important for a number of reasons, and to a variety of different people. People on the autism spectrum, to cite just one example, may find outdoor environments overwhelming, or even anxiety-inducing. Earpieces can therefore form part of a vital support system for them. Likewise, people who need to talk on the phone while keeping both hands free (for example, whilst driving) will often require earpieces for safety reasons.
However, earpieces can also be dangerous. Research shows that prolonged or repeated exposure to noise in excess of 85dB can result in permanent hearing damage.
Most earbuds feature a top volume of 100dB. This essentially means that listening to earpieces (or similar equipment) at full volume for any length of time (let’s use 15 minutes as a rough baseline figure) may result in irreversible hearing damage.
At least one study has shown that people who use earpieces (or similar equipment) at full volume in an already noisy environment are dramatically increasing their risk of permanent hearing damage by as much as 4.5-fold.
The health risks posed by earpieces don’t end there, however. Overuse of earpieces, earbuds, and other, similar equipment can cause wax to build up inside the ear.
Human ears are, to some extent, self-cleaning. A combination of jaw movement and skin migration keeps our ears clean and functional. Ear wax (or cerumen, to give it its proper name) is a vital component of this natural mechanism. Produced by glands in the ear canal, ear wax helps to trap dirt and dust particles in a similar manner to the way in which mucus helps to keep our nostrils clean.
However, excessive use of earpieces (e.g., for several hours a day) can disturb the natural flow of this beneficial substance, resulting in a waxy build-up that can be detrimental to both ear health and hearing.
Excessive earpiece use can also irritate the cartilage and skin of the outer ear canal, which can in turn result in itchiness and sores.
Moderate use of earpieces should produce no ill effects with regard to earwax build up, although headphones remain a healthier choice in this regard.
The key takeaways from our answer are really twofold. Firstly, earpieces and related devices should NEVER be used at full volume, or close to it. If this happens for any reason, the length of time should not exceed 15 minutes (and this should definitely not be a regular occurrence).
Secondly, it is not natural to have a device lodged inside one’s ear for hours at a time. The ears need space to rest, recover, and breathe. We therefore recommend taking regular breaks from earpieces, and not wearing them for hours without a break for any reason.
Keeping earpieces clean (wipe them regularly with antiseptic wipes or similar) will reduce the risk of ear infection, as will storing earpieces in a carry case instead of a desk drawer, handbag, or pocket.
We also do not recommend letting other people use your earpieces (be sure to clean them before and after use if you do).
If wax builds up, we do not recommend using cotton buds to clean it up, as this can cause wax impaction. Instead, ear drops, or a visit to your GP (not every location features ear wax removal on the NHS, however) are better options.
To sum up, keep your earpiece(s) clean, store them well, and don’t overuse them. Be sure never to max-out the volume on your phone or device, and to take regular ‘earpiece breaks’. If this advice is followed, you should have nothing to worry about.
