Alka Yagnik warns against using earphones after revealing hearing loss diagnosis. Should you be worried too?

Renowned playback singer Alka Yagnik was recently diagnosed with a rare hearing loss disorder, brought on by a viral attack. Revealing her diagnosis on social media, the singer had cautioned against listening to “very loud music and headphones.”

Alka wrote, “I would add a word of caution regarding exposure to very loud music and headphones. One day, I wish to share the health perils of my professional life.”

According to Dr Deepti Sinha, lead consultant, Dept of ENT at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, prolonged use of earphones, especially at high volumes, can lead to hearing damage over time. It’s essential to practice safe listening habits to protect your hearing health.

Listening to music or other audio content at high volumes can damage the hair cells in the inner ear, which are crucial for hearing, she explained. “Once these cells are damaged, they do not regenerate, leading to permanent hearing loss.”

Limiting exposure time for sound above 85 dB is recommended, said Dr Sanjay Sachdeva, senior ENT consultant at HearClear and Max Hospital. “People should take frequent breaks when listening to loud sounds (like music, concerts, fitness classes, etc.). This is important to give the ear the necessary time to recover after exposure to loud noises,” he said in an interaction.

 

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Both Dr Sinha and Dr Sachdeva advised following the 60/60 rule to reduce exposure to loud sounds. “This is based on the principle of exposure to 60 dB of noise for 60 minutes, which should be followed by a little rest for rejuvenating inner ear hygiene,” he explained.

Are you more susceptible to this hearing loss?

According to Dr Sinha, some people are more at risk of hearing loss from prolonged earphone use than others. Factors such as genetics, pre-existing hearing conditions, and occupational noise exposure can increase susceptibility.

Younger individuals who frequently use earphones at high volumes are at a higher risk due to their prolonged exposure over time, she said. Everyone needs to be mindful of their listening habits to reduce the risk of hearing damage.

How can you protect yourself?

To maintain a healthy ear, people should add exercise to their daily routine as it keeps the blood pumping throughout the body, including the ears, said Dr Sachdeva, adding that it consequently keeps the internal parts of the ears healthy.

Here are some other things Dr Sinha advised doing:

* Avoid continuous headphone usage and take regular breaks.
* Avoid proximity to loudspeakers during parties, concerts, and sporting events.
* Never fly with a cold, as it can cause ear barotrauma. If flying is unavoidable, visit an ENT specialist for advice.
* Individuals working in high-noise work environments (such as factory noise) should wear industry-recommended ear protection devices. High-decibel noise exposure can cause both temporary and permanent hearing loss, so regular hearing tests are essential.
* Maintain your blood pressure and blood sugar levels within the normal range. Ignoring these can lead to a rapid increase in hearing loss.
* Consume fresh fruits and vegetables loaded with nutrients and antioxidants. A healthy lifestyle promotes ear health.
* Avoid smoking, vaping, hookah, alcohol, and drugs as they accelerate hearing loss.

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