Sleeping with earbuds in the ears regularly could expose users to prolonged sound and keep the ear canal blocked for hours, increasing the risk of hearing problems, earwax build-up and ear infections, ear, nose and throat experts have warned.
The specialists disclosed the risk is greater when earbuds are used at high volume or for several hours at a stretch, noting that sleeping with them could leave the ears exposed to sound continuously without the breaks recommended for safe listening.
They also cautioned that keeping earbuds inside the ear canal for prolonged periods could trap moisture and interfere with the normal movement of earwax, creating conditions that may encourage infection and other ear problems.
The World Health Organisation warns that the risk of hearing damage depends on the loudness, duration and frequency of sound exposure. It states that prolonged exposure to loud noise can initially cause temporary hearing loss or tinnitus. In contrast, repeated or continuous exposure can permanently damage sensory cells and other inner-ear structures.
WHO estimates that more than one billion people aged 12 to 35 are at risk of hearing loss because of unsafe recreational exposure to loud sounds, including sound from personal audio devices. It recommends keeping the volume below 60 percent of the maximum and taking regular breaks from listening.
The concern is also relevant in Nigeria, where a WHO regional report puts the prevalence of disabling hearing loss at 6.7 per cent. The report identifies impacted earwax, chronic otitis media and age-related hearing loss among leading 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 found hearing loss in 17.6 per cent of the users, compared with 7.4 per cent among the control group. The researchers reported that most hearing loss among users was mild, bilateral and sensorineural, with high frequencies the most affected.
