Earpods and headphones have become a part of everyday life.
From commuting to working out, and even at bedtime, many people plug in for music, movies, or calls.
But while these devices offer comfort, style, and convenience, health experts warn they may be doing more harm than good to the ear.
In this report, our health correspondent Ogom Ezedimbu looks at the dangers associated with prolonged use of these devices.
From music to podcasts and even calls, these devices have redefined how we consume sound.
They come in different shapes and sizes, fitting snugly into the ear or resting over the head.
But behind the convenience and popularity lies a looming danger.
The World Health Organization warns that listening to sound levels above 80 decibels for more than eight hours daily can damage hearing.
At 85 decibels, the safe time drops to four hours. Just three decibels higher, at 88, it reduces to two hours and the higher it goes, the less time it takes for hearing loss to occur.
For many Nigerians, however, the convenience outweighs the risks.
Dr. Edevbie Ifeoma, a consultant, Ear, Nose, and Throat , says many young people increase volume levels, especially in noisy environments, without realizing the long term consequences.
Nigeria is already facing a substantial burden from hearing impairment.
According to the Speech Pathologists and Audiologists Association of Nigeria, about eight point five million Nigerians are currently living with hearing loss.
Professor Agoda, a cochlear implant surgeon, explains that treating hearing loss is extremely costly.
Hearing aids range from hundreds of thousands to over a million naira depending on the type, while advanced solutions like cochlear implants cost as much as forty million naira for both ears since the devices are imported with exchange rate valuation
With the average Nigerian worker earning far less, he stresses that most patients cannot afford such interventions, making prevention the only realistic option.
So the advise is simple – prevention is the best defense.
That means keeping the volume low, taking listening breaks, and avoiding prolonged use, especially during sleep.
So next time you want to plug in your earpods or headphones, remember, protecting your ears today could save you from a lifetime of silence tomorrow.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
