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Noise-induced hearing loss is the term that refers to hearing loss that occurs due to exposure to loud noise. This article will discuss hearing loss due to headphones, signs of hearing loss, and ways to prevent it. Do headphones cause hearing loss Share on PinterestEugenio Marongiu/Getty ImagesNoise-induced hearing loss is the second most common type of sensorineural hearing loss after age-related hearing loss. A 2017 study indicated that approximately 80% of individuals between 13 and 18 years of age use headphones for listening to music for 1–3 hours a day. Listening to loud noise for long periods causes hearing loss. This causes damage to the auditory nerve and hair cells of the cochlea, or inner ear. According to the 2021 study, approximately 1.7% of people worldwide experience noise-induced hearing loss. The study reported individuals who use headphones in an already noisy environment are at a 4.5-fold higher risk of hearing loss. The recommended sound exposure level is 85 decibels (dBA) for 8 hours a day. Long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss. Health experts suggest even listening to headphones at a moderate volume can damage hearing over time. It is not just the loudness that causes damage, but the length of exposure. Warning signs of hearing loss A few common warning signs of hearing loss include:hearing muffled soundsdifficulty in understanding conversations in noisy placesdifficulty in hearing high-pitch soundsdifficulty in hearing speech consonantsringing in earsasking someone to repeat what they said or speak loudlyhypersensitivity to certain sounds People who have any of the above symptoms should consult a doctor. People may receive a referral to a hearing doctor. Diagnosing hearing issues and loss Screening for hearing loss is a fairly simple and painless procedure. If someone suspects hearing loss, the doctor will first perform a physical examination of the ear, known as an otoscopy. This procedure examines the structures of the ear, such as: The external auditory canal: The ear canal moves sound toward the eardrum, known as the tympanic membrane.The tympanic membrane: A thin membrane that performs two functions: transmission and amplification.The middle ear: This part of the ear connects external sound waves with the the inner ear for auditory transduction — conversion of sound to an electrical waveform. General screening test During the screening, a doctor may ask a person to cover one ear and describe what they can hear at different volumes. The doctor will also check their sensitivity to certain sounds. If the doctor suspects a hearing problem, they will refer a person to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist or an audiologist. They may carry out further testing, such as:A tuning fork test: This test uses a metal instrument that vibrates against the ear from different distances. This will help determine when a person can no longer hear a sound.Audiometer test: A person will wear suitably fitted earphones, and doctors will direct sounds at a controlled range of volumes and tones into one ear at a time. Like the above test, an audiologist will ask someone to confirm when they can no longer hear a sound.Bone oscillator test: This test places an oscillator against the ear bone to determine the nerve’s function and the type of hearing loss a person may have. A person can discuss any concerns relating to the screening or the results with a medical professional. The sooner people receive a diagnosis after experiencing early hearing loss signs, the quicker a doctor can work to reduce the effects of hearing loss or damage may have on their quality of life. Treating hearing loss There are several methods doctors can help improve a person’s ability to hear, including: hearing aidsmiddle ear implantscochlear implantslip reading and sign language A hearing doctor can explore the most suitable option for a person’s noise-induced hearing loss. Find out what are the best apps for American Sign Language. Ways to prevent hearing loss with headphones Some of the approaches to prevent hearing loss with headphones include:turning down the volume of headphones below the recommended level to limit exposure to loud noiseusing noise-canceling headphones that block out external sound allows people to enjoy their music at low volumesreplacing earbuds or in-the-ear headphones with over-the-ear headphonesreducing listening times getting routine checkups of ears A person can lower volume levels even when not using headphones, such as on televisions or smartphones, and can use ear protection at loud events or environments. People should consult a doctor if they have any signs of an ear infection, such as:prolonged earacheear dischargeworsened or persistent hearing loss Summary Overuse of headphones may cause permanent hearing loss by damaging the hair cells of the inner ear and the auditory nerve. People must take breaks when using headphones. They should also avoid exposure to noise above recommended levels. A person should consult an ear doctor if they have any warning signs of hearing loss, so they can receive a suitable diagnosis and treatment. Last medically reviewed on September 28, 2022Ear, Nose, and ThroatHearing / Deafness 18 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.AlQahtani, A. S., et al. (2022). Awareness about the relation of noise induced hearing loss and use of headphones at Hail region.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2049080121010633Byeon, H. (2021). Associations between adolescents' earphone usage in noisy environments, hearing loss, and self-reported hearing problems in a nationally representative sample of South Korean middle and high school students.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7837842/Do headphones increase your risk of hearing loss? Facts you should know. (2020).https://okhc.org/headphones-hearing-loss/Fettiplace, R. (2017). 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Anatomy and development of the mammalian external auditory canal: Implications for understanding canal disease and deformity.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2020.617354/fullNoise-induced hearing loss. (2022).https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-lossParsons, J., et al. (2020). Headphones and other risk factors for hearing in young adults.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7532785/Portnuff, C. D. F., et al. (2016). Reducing the risk of music-induced hearing loss from overuse of portable listening devices: Understanding the problems and establishing strategies for improving awareness in adolescents.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4754097/Reducing noise exposure: Guidance & regulations. (2018).https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/reducenoiseexposure/regsguidance.htmlScreening and diagnosis of hearing loss. (2022).https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/screening.htmlSzymanksi, A., et al. (2022). Anatomy, head and neck, ear tympanic membrane.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448117/Widén, S. E., et al. (2017). Headphone listening habits and hearing thresholds in Swedish adolescents.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5501022/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP — By Suchandrima Bhowmik on September 28, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat to know about sensorineural hearing lossMedically reviewed by Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) develops when there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. 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