Regularly sleeping with earbuds could expose users to prolonged sound and block the ear canal for extended periods, potentially increasing the risk of hearing problems, earwax accumulation and infections, ear, nose and throat specialists have warned.
The experts said the risks could be higher when earbuds are used at loud volumes or continuously for several hours, as sleeping with the devices may prevent the ears from getting adequate breaks from sound exposure.
They also explained that prolonged use of earbuds inside the ear canal could trap moisture and disrupt the natural movement of earwax, creating conditions that may contribute to infections and other ear-related problems.
The World Health Organisation has warned that the risk of hearing damage is influenced by the loudness, duration and frequency of sound exposure.
According to the organisation, prolonged exposure to loud sounds can initially cause temporary hearing loss or tinnitus, while repeated or continuous exposure may permanently damage sensory cells and other structures in the inner ear.
The WHO estimates that more than one billion people aged 12 to 35 are at risk of hearing loss from unsafe recreational exposure to loud sounds, including those from personal audio devices.
It recommends keeping audio volume below 60 per cent of the maximum and taking regular breaks.
In Nigeria, a WHO regional report estimates the prevalence of disabling hearing loss at 6.7 per cent.
The report lists impacted earwax, chronic otitis media and age-related hearing loss among the major causes of hearing loss in the country.
A Nigerian study involving 272 prolonged headphone and earphone users and an equal number of non-users in Kaduna also found hearing loss among 17.6 per cent of the users, compared with 7.4 per cent of those in the control group.
The researchers said most cases among users were mild, bilateral and sensorineural, with high frequencies being the most affected.
Speaking exclusively with The Punch, a Specialist Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon at the National Ear Care Centre, Kaduna, Dr Mustapha Lawal, said the impact of prolonged earphone use depended largely on the loudness of the sound and duration of exposure.
He said symptoms could develop before serious hearing problems occur, including tinnitus, dizziness and unusual sensations in the ear.
“Long-term hearing loss; short-term, there will be some symptoms, like tinnitus, dizziness, and sensations in the ear,” Lawal explained.
The ENT surgeon said prolonged exposure could initially result in a temporary threshold shift, causing hearing to become temporarily less sensitive.
He added that the effect could occur even when the sound was not particularly loud if the exposure lasted for several hours.
“If the noise is not that loud, however, it is on for several hours,” Lawal stated.
Lawal stressed the importance of allowing the ears to rest, warning that continued exposure could cause temporary hearing changes to progress into permanent damage.
“Once it has gone through what you call a permanent threshold shift, permanent threshold shift, then that one is irreversible,” Lawal stated.
He further noted that prolonged exposure to noise could affect concentration, communication and quality of life, especially when hearing difficulties begin to interfere with everyday interactions.
Also speaking exclusively with The Punch, a Professor of Ear, Nose and Throat and Head and Neck Surgery at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State, Adoga Agida Samuel, warned that sleeping with earbuds could affect the health of the ear canal.
Samuel explained that prolonged blockage of the ear canal could promote inflammation and infection, while some users could also experience reactions to the materials used in earbuds.
He added that wax retention was another potential problem, explaining that accumulated earwax could obstruct the ear canal and lead to conductive hearing loss.
“Wax retention takes a while but becomes a problem because it builds up,” Samuel stated.
The professor also warned that prolonged exposure to sound above safe levels could result in temporary reductions in hearing ability and eventually cause permanent damage if the exposure continued.
“Exposure of greater than 85dB over 8 hours has different effects. Some immediate injury, causing a temporary threshold shift,” Samuel stated.
He explained that continuous exposure could eventually damage the sensory hair cells responsible for hearing.
“Persistent or continuous exposure will cause oxidative injury; many chemicals will be released, leading to hair cell death and permanent hearing loss,” Samuel stated.
Samuel urged people experiencing ear pain, severe itching, tinnitus or reduced hearing not to disregard the symptoms, noting that they could point to an underlying ear condition.
“For infections, pain and severe itching may be fungus,” Samuel stated.
He advised regular earbud users to limit their use and avoid wearing the devices while sleeping.
“Moderate use of earbuds if it cannot be avoided. Sleep without them,” Samuel advised.
Experts therefore advised earbud users to take regular breaks and avoid sleeping with the devices to reduce prolonged exposure and allow the ears adequate time to recover.
