Friday 13/March/2026 – 05:55 PM
Health experts have warned that frequent use of headphones, especially in-ear headphones, increases the risk of ear infections if they are not used correctly or without regular cleaning.
Experts warn against frequent use of headphones
According to what was published by The Sun website, although health advice often focuses on the effect of loud sound on hearing, recent research indicates that the problem is not only related to the sound, but also to the bacteria and dirt that the headphones carry into the ear canal.
Therefore, the outer ear and ear canal contain a natural system of protection and cleaning. The ear produces earwax and natural oils that help moisturize the skin inside the auditory canal, prevent the entry of bacteria and germs, in addition to expelling dirt and dead cells to the outside.
The fine bristles inside the ear canal also help in eliminating particles and microbes naturally. But inserting earphones for long periods may disrupt this natural mechanism.
Recent studies have indicated that using headphones, especially internal ones, may cause several changes inside the ear, including: blockage of the ear canal and preventing it from ventilation, increased heat and humidity inside the ear, and an imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria.
A recent study found that people who use in-ear devices for long periods tend to have a lower diversity of natural bacteria in the ear canal, which may make them more susceptible to infection.
