Don’t use ear buds or loud headphones: ENT surgeon warns of rising hearing loss in young adults

Frequent use of ear buds, inserting objects into the ear and prolonged exposure to loud sounds from headphones are emerging as common causes of hearing problems, according to Dr. Yashaswi Srikakula, Consultant ENT Surgeon at Vasavi Hospitals.
Speaking about ear health and hearing loss, the specialist said many people unknowingly damage their ears while trying to clean them.
“The ear has three parts: the external ear, middle ear and inner ear. Most people tend to harm the external ear by inserting objects such as ear buds, safety pins, pencils or pens. This should be strictly avoided,” she said.

Early hearing loss appears to be increasing among younger adults due to lifestyle factors.
“Hearing loss can be broadly classified into conductive hearing loss involving the outer or middle ear, and sensorineural hearing loss involving the inner ear or nerve,” Dr Srikakula explains.
Certain conditions such as otosclerosis, a genetic disorder affecting the middle ear bones, can also cause hearing problems and may require surgical treatment.

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Do you routinely try to scrape away wax from the ears? Well, it is not required. “Nearly 80 to 90 per cent of people do not require ear cleaning. The ear is self-cleansing and the wax usually moves out on its own. When people try to remove wax themselves, they often push it deeper into the canal, which can cause pain and blockage,” Dr. Yashaswi Srikakula explains. If excess wax causes discomfort or hearing difficulty, patients should consult an ENT specialist instead of attempting home remedies.

Using headphones and earbuds at high volume is a major reason behind hearing loss in young adults these days. “Continuous exposure to loud sound through headphones or AirPods can damage hearing. We are now seeing patients as young as 40 years old with hearing loss linked to prolonged exposure to high decibel sound,” the doctor says. She recommends using protective earmuffs or earplugs and undergoing regular hearing tests.

Hearing problems in children are often detected late because parents may mistake the symptoms for behavioural issues. “If a child does not respond to sounds, does not startle at loud noises or shows delayed speech development, parents should seek medical advice,” Dr. Yashaswi Srikakula says. Children who have hearing difficulty may also struggle to follow instructions, repeatedly ask teachers to repeat what was said or prefer sitting in the front row in classrooms.

In infants and young children, doctors usually conduct specialised screening tests such as Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) and Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA) to assess hearing ability. “These tests help determine whether the hearing nerve is functioning properly. If severe hearing loss is detected, procedures such as cochlear implants may be recommended,” she explained.

One common cause of temporary hearing loss in children is “glue ear”, where fluid accumulates in the middle ear, often after a cold or infection. “This condition can cause hearing loss of around 50 to 60 decibels, which affects the child’s ability to hear clearly in school. The initial treatment is with medication. However, if the condition persists, a minor surgical procedure called myringotomy with grommet insertion may be performed to drain the fluid and restore hearing", she said.

Doctors advise people, especially those above 60 years, to undergo routine hearing evaluations.
“Hearing tests should ideally be done every year in older adults or in people exposed to loud environments,” she said.
Experts emphasise that awareness about hearing health, particularly in rural areas, remains crucial since many people fail to recognise the early signs of hearing loss.
“Simple precautions such as avoiding objects in the ear, limiting exposure to loud sound and seeking timely medical care can help protect hearing for life,” the doctor added.
Medical experts consulted
This article includes expert inputs shared with TOI Health by:
​Dr. Yashaswi Srikakula, Consultant ENT Surgeon at Vasavi Hospitals
Inputs were used to explain how regular use of earbuds, headphones can damage the hearing ability of young adults.