{"id":3843,"date":"2026-06-13T21:31:45","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T18:01:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hseqiran.com\/?p=3843"},"modified":"2026-06-13T21:37:41","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T18:07:41","slug":"%d9%87%d8%b4%d8%af%d8%a7%d8%b1-hse-%d8%af%d8%b1%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%b1%d9%87-%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%aa%d9%81%d8%a7%d8%af%d9%87-%d8%ba%db%8c%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%b5%d9%88%d9%84-%d9%87%d9%86%d8%af%d8%b2%d9%81%d8%b1%db%8c","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hseqiran.com\/en\/2026\/06\/13\/%d9%87%d8%b4%d8%af%d8%a7%d8%b1-hse-%d8%af%d8%b1%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%b1%d9%87-%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%aa%d9%81%d8%a7%d8%af%d9%87-%d8%ba%db%8c%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%b5%d9%88%d9%84-%d9%87%d9%86%d8%af%d8%b2%d9%81%d8%b1%db%8c\/","title":{"rendered":"HSE Warning on the Risks of Improper Earphone Use; A Hidden Threat to Hearing Health and Personal Safety"},"content":{"rendered":"
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HSE Warning on the Risks of Improper Earphone Use; A Hidden Threat to Hearing Health and Personal Safety<\/strong><\/h2>

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\u2014especially among adolescents, young people, and workers in high-risk environments\u2014can lead to irreversible consequences.<\/strong><\/p>

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.<\/p>

Referring to the fact that the human auditory system is not designed for continuous exposure to high sound levels, she stated: \u201cProlonged 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.\u201d<\/p>

Hearing Damage: Gradual, Silent, and Often Irreversible<\/strong><\/h2>

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\u2014an impairment that, unfortunately, is often irreversible.<\/p>

She also pointed to other consequences of improper use of these devices and said: \u201cContinuous 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.\u201d<\/p>

Take Early Warning Signs Seriously<\/strong><\/h2>

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.<\/p>

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

The 60\/60 Rule: A Simple but Vital Principle<\/strong><\/h2>

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\u2019s 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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>

Do Not Compensate for Environmental Noise by Increasing the Volume<\/strong><\/h2>

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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>

HSE Considerations in the Workplace: Earphones Are Not Only a Health Issue, but Also a Safety Issue<\/strong><\/h2>

From the perspective of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE), the use of earphones and AirPods in workplaces\u2014particularly in industrial settings, operational areas, warehouses, workshops, construction projects, and environments with moving equipment\u2014can be hazardous.<\/p>

HSE experts believe that the use of such devices in the workplace may result in:<\/p>