Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 8: A social media post has sparked alarm among gadget users after a man revealed that prolonged use of high-end noise-cancelling earbuds caused him to suffer a perforated eardrum.

The user, identified as @_kumbhkaran on X (formerly Twitter), said he had been using a pair of 50 dB noise-cancelling earbuds for nearly two years, often wearing them for three to four hours daily. He recently experienced severe ear pain and was later diagnosed with a small hole in his eardrum.

“Using earbuds can be dangerous, using noise-cancelling earbuds is even more. These things may look fancy, but there are high health risks associated with them,” he wrote, urging others to be cautious.

The post went viral, drawing thousands of reactions from concerned users. One commented, “We use earbuds daily without thinking how much internal damage they can cause. Noise cancellation feels premium, but if it harms our hearing, it’s not worth it.” Another wrote, “This is genuinely scary. People should take ear health seriously.”

Experts explain that active noise-cancelling (ANC) technology works by producing sound waves that cancel external noise, creating a quiet environment. However, continuous use, high volumes, or improper fit can stress the ear canal and lead to long-term damage, including eardrum perforation.

Doctors advise limiting the use of earbuds to a few hours a day, maintaining low volume levels, and cleaning them regularly to prevent infections. Warning signs such as ringing, muffled hearing, or persistent ear pain should be taken seriously and examined by an ENT specialist.

Medical experts caution that while ANC earbuds offer convenience and comfort, misuse can have lasting consequences. “Once hearing is lost, it rarely returns,” doctors warn, urging users to prioritize ear safety over prolonged gadget use.