HSE Warning on the Risks of Improper Earphone Use; A Hidden Threat to Hearing Health and Personal Safety

Continuous and improper use of earphones and in-ear headphones not only increases the risk of hearing damage, but may also compromise personal safety in workplaces and operational environments. Health and safety experts emphasize that failure to observe proper usage principles—especially among adolescents, young people, and workers in high-risk environments—can lead to irreversible consequences.

According to the Supporters of Workforce Health and Safety News Agency, citing the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (Webda), Dr. Akram Rahmani-Pour, an otolaryngologist and faculty member at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, warned about the growing trend of hearing damage caused by the continuous, prolonged, and improper use of earphones and in-ear headphones.

Referring to the fact that the human auditory system is not designed for continuous exposure to high sound levels, she stated: “Prolonged use of earphones, particularly at high volume, is not merely a daily habit; it is a high-risk behavior for hearing health. Under such conditions, the hair cells in the cochlea, which play a key role in receiving and transmitting sound signals, are exposed to gradual damage and even permanent destruction.”

Hearing Damage: Gradual, Silent, and Often Irreversible

This faculty member of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences further explained the mechanism through which earphones affect hearing, stating that in in-ear models, sound is transmitted directly and at a very short distance to the eardrum and the auditory canal. Continued exposure under these conditions, particularly when use is frequent and prolonged, may lead to auditory fatigue and eventually sensorineural hearing loss—an impairment that, unfortunately, is often irreversible.

She also pointed to other consequences of improper use of these devices and said: “Continuous use of earphones can cause earwax compaction, increase the likelihood of blockage in the ear canal, irritate the skin of the auditory canal, and raise the risk of allergies as well as external ear infections. This issue is especially important for individuals who use earphones for extended hours every day.”

Take Early Warning Signs Seriously

Dr. Rahmani-Pour urged users not to ignore early warning signs and stated that tinnitus after removing earphones, a feeling of heaviness or blockage in the ears, reduced clarity of hearing, and the need to continually increase the device volume in order to hear content more clearly are among the signs that may indicate the onset of damage to the auditory system.

According to her, ignoring these symptoms and continuing unsafe earphone use increases the likelihood of worsening hearing disorders and permanent damage.

The 60/60 Rule: A Simple but Vital Principle

Emphasizing preventive measures, this ENT specialist stated that observing the 60/60 rule is one of the most important principles of hearing protection. Accordingly, individuals should keep the volume at no more than 60 percent of the device’s maximum capacity and avoid using earphones or headphones for more than 60 minutes continuously. After that, sufficient time should be given to the ears to rest.

She added that, whenever possible, over-ear headphones are preferable to in-ear models, as they generally exert less direct sound pressure on the ear canal and are therefore considered safer.

Do Not Compensate for Environmental Noise by Increasing the Volume

Dr. Rahmani-Pour also warned that in noisy environments such as streets, metro systems, transportation terminals, workshops, or other crowded areas, individuals should not raise the volume of their earphones in an attempt to overcome background noise. She noted that this behavior is one of the main factors contributing to the intensification of hearing damage among users.

She stressed that in the event of symptoms such as tinnitus, ear pain, sudden hearing loss, or difficulty in perceiving sounds, prompt consultation with an ear, nose, and throat specialist is essential.

HSE Considerations in the Workplace: Earphones Are Not Only a Health Issue, but Also a Safety Issue

From the perspective of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE), the use of earphones and AirPods in workplaces—particularly in industrial settings, operational areas, warehouses, workshops, construction projects, and environments with moving equipment—can be hazardous.

HSE experts believe that the use of such devices in the workplace may result in:

• Reduced concentration during sensitive tasks
• Failure to hear warning sounds, alarms, and safety announcements
• Reduced situational awareness of surrounding hazards
• Lack of awareness of the movement of machinery and mobile equipment such as forklifts, cranes, service vehicles, and other industrial transport units
• Increased likelihood of human error, collisions, incidents, and occupational injuries

Therefore, in many safety guidelines, the use of earphones in operational and high-risk workplaces—outside defined controls and authorized conditions—is considered a high-risk practice.

The Need to Promote Public and Organizational Awareness

Given the widespread use of personal audio devices among young people, students, office employees, and workers across various sectors, enhancing hearing health literacy and educating people on the safe use of audio equipment is an undeniable necessity. Awareness-raising at the level of families, schools, universities, and workplaces can play an effective role in preventing early hearing loss and reducing incidents caused by diminished environmental awareness.

In this regard, experts recommend that organizations and employers, in addition to establishing clear policies for the use of personal audio devices in the workplace, provide employees with the necessary training through HSE programs in order to prevent hearing damage and avoidable incidents.