We plug in to zone out. But at what cost?
We spend hours with headphones while listening to lectures, courses, calming music, our favourite playlists, or sometimes we just put them just to block out the noise. But are we unknowingly putting our hearing and mental clarity at risk?
Various research studies outline some significant information:
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A 2021 study in JAMA Otolaryngology found that consistent use of headphones/earbuds/earphones at high volume increases the risk of noise-induced hearing loss, even in young adults.
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A 2022 article in The Lancet Public Health highlighted that prolonged headphone use may contribute to increased fatigue and reduced focus, due to auditory overstimulation.
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Meanwhile, a 2020 study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology suggested that certain music genres can actually improve cognitive performance, but only under specific volume and task conditions.
How often do you use headphones while studying or working?
Do you feel it helps in maintaining your focus, or do you find yourself feeling drained after long sessions?
Drop your thoughts and habits or any cool tools you use (like volume limiters or sound apps) to save yourself from the impact. Let’s explore how to protect our hearing and boost our focus. Join the discussion and share your voice.