Are you always wearing earbuds? Then read this!

So how about you? Today I'm going to talk about something that we all use every day, but if not used properly, it can cause great damage to our ears. Yes, I'm talking about 'earbuds'. Now look, on the bus, on the train, while walking on the street, at the gym, everywhere, it has become common to see not only young children, but also adults wearing 'earbuds' in their ears. Listening to songs, watching movies, playing games, making phone calls... Although this little gadget seems very easy and convenient, are you really aware of the other side of it? Today, let's talk a little more in depth about the effects that these 'earbuds' can have on our ears.

What really happens inside our ears when loud noises occur?

Simply put, 'Earbuds' are like two small speakers that you can put in your ears. When used at low volume, this is not a big problem. However, the problem starts when we listen to songs very close to our ears and at high volume. Then our eardrums and the delicate parts inside the ear can be damaged. This damage can sometimes be so severe that it can never be repaired. Think about how our ears work. Our ears are made up of three main parts: 1. Outer Ear: This is the part that we see outside. Its job is to collect sound and send it in. 2. Middle Ear: This is where the eardrum and three very small bones are located. The sound coming from the ear is converted into vibrations and sent to the inner ear. 3. Inner Ear: This is where the most important things are. The inner ear has a very small, snail-shaped part called the cochlea. Inside this is a very delicate, hair-like structure called hair cells. These hair cells are the messengers that convert sound into electrical signals and carry them through the nerves to the brain. That's when we understand, "Oh, that's a song" or "Someone is talking." Now, look, when we listen to loud music, especially when we send the sound directly into our ears through earbuds, these hair cells are damaged. It's like trees caught in a storm. Little by little, these cells die.

The most important and sad thing is that unlike other parts of our body, the damage done to these 'hair cells' cannot be repaired. It's like broken glass, it can't be put back together.

Over time, as more and more of these cells die, you gradually lose your ability to hear. This is called Noise-Induced Hearing Loss .

How to recognize an ear problem? Watch out for these symptoms

Earbuds can cause ear damage, but it's not immediately obvious. This has been going on for years. So by the time most people realize they have a problem with their ears, it's probably too late. But, look out for these signs:

• A feeling of a continuous ringing in the ears:For some, this may sound like a 'ringing' sound, for others it may sound like a humming sound, or it may sound like a subtle whistle. This is a warning, especially if you hear it after hearing a loud noise.
• When things are said, the sound is not so clear, and sounds like it's going down: like when the signal on a radio is distorted, it becomes difficult to catch the words clearly.
• Having to ask "Huh?" "What did you say?" over and over again when other people are talking.
• The need to turn up the volume on the TV and radio more than usual.

If you have one or more of these symptoms, please don't just ignore it. Definitely see a doctor. He or she will examine you and, if necessary, refer you to an audiologist, a specialist who specializes in hearing testing. An audiologist can test your hearing and tell you exactly what level it is. He or she can also answer any questions you may have about using earbuds and give you advice on how to continue to take care of your ears.

How to use earbuds correctly? Do these things to protect your ears

The good news is that this hearing loss caused by earbuds is 100% preventable . Isn't it amazing? It just takes a few simple steps. That's controlling the amount of time you use your earbuds and the volume. Doctors call this the '60%/60-minute rule' . It's easy to remember:

• When you're listening to music, watching a movie, or playing a game, don't turn up the volume on your phone or player more than 60% of its maximum volume. That means only turn the volume bar up a little more than halfway.
• Do not leave the earbuds in your ears for more than 60 minutes (one hour) at a time. After about an hour, remove the earbuds and give your ears a break. At least 10-15 minutes. Then put them back in if needed.

There is another very easy way to find out if your volume is too loud. When you are listening to music with your earbuds on, ask someone close to you (a friend, family member) if they can hear the music you are listening to. If they can hear the sound coming from your earbuds, it means that your volume is definitely too loud and is damaging your ears. In such a case, immediately lower the volume to a level that others cannot hear. There is another important thing. When you are listening to music loudly, we cannot hear what is happening around us. Imagine that you are walking down the street or riding a bike. You have earbuds in both your ears and are listening to music at a high volume. What if you can't hear a car horn coming from behind or someone shouting at you about an accident? Then the chances of a major accident are very high, right? So we need to think about caution.

What else is there instead of 'earbuds'?

Almost every phone comes with a pair of earbuds these days. They're cheap to make and easy to put in the box. But are earbuds the only option? No. You can use headphones the old-fashioned way. You've probably seen them, the ones that fit around your ears like two big cups. Sometimes the old stuff is the best. Electronics stores have large sections dedicated to headphones. One of the best types of headphones is noise-canceling headphones. These reduce the amount of unwanted noise around you (like the noise of the bus, people talking) and let you hear only what you're listening to clearly. That way, you don't have to turn up the volume to hear the song clearly. You can hear it well even at low volume. These are great for staying focused when studying or doing office work. However, they are not a good choice for places where you need to be aware of your surroundings, such as when you are on the road, because you cannot hear the surrounding sounds. Even headphones that cover your ears can damage your ears if you use them at high volume for a long time. However, they are not as dangerous as earbuds. The reason is that earbuds deliver sound directly into the ear canal, which means they are very close to the eardrum, so the sound level can increase by between 6 and 9 decibels. Decibels are a unit of measurement for sound. This means that even if you have the same volume level on your phone, the sound you hear through earbuds is louder inside your ear than through headphones. This is enough to cause serious damage.

Remember, the closer the device that emits the sound is to the delicate parts of your ear, the greater the chance of damage.

So, in the end, all I have to say to you is this...

We all love to listen to music, have fun, and be alone in our own world. Earbuds are a great way to make that happen. However, our ears are very precious and fragile organs. So, keep these tips in mind and get used to using your earbuds that way:

• The '60%/60 minutes' rule is a must, always remember. Make this a habit.
• If people around you can hear the music coming from your earbuds, that's a warning! Turn down the volume immediately.
• Whenever possible, especially at home, use good quality headphones instead of earbuds. If possible, choose noise-canceling ones.
• If you experience anything unusual in your ears (ringing, decreased hearing, ear pain), don't be lazy or afraid to see a doctor right away. If there is a problem, the sooner it is recognized, the better.
• When wearing earbuds on the road, be careful in areas where vehicles are moving around. Also be aware of your surroundings.

If you take good care of your ears, you can hear beautiful songs, the voices of those you love, the chirping of birds, and all the beautiful sounds in this world for the rest of your life. Think about how valuable that is! So, let's start thinking about this a little bit today, shall we?

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