Trendy as they may be, prolonged use of high-decibel earphones and earpods is fast emerging as the main cause behind an alarming rise in the incidence of ear infections that can lead to a decline in hearing abilities, say experts.

An MPPSC aspirant, Siddhant from Kolar, said, "I use earphones for 12 to 16 hours for my online classes, and because of that, I got infections in my ears. Today, I am facing ear inflammation and have stopped using earphones because of it."

A video editor, Saurabh Solanki, working in the media field, mentioned, "I use headphones while editing videos for long hours and I don't have any problems with it. I even use headphones at home because I want to live in my own world; I can't sleep without them."Similarly, an MBA student at LNCT College, Sakshi, shared, "I can't sleep without my earphones either. Previously, I had a problem with my ear. I started experiencing ear pain and a ringing sound in my ears due to the use of earphones. Currently, I am undergoing treatment and have completely stopped using earphones."

Online game player Rahul Kushwaha says, "I use wireless earbuds for long hours, but I haven't experienced any problems, and I've been using them for a long time."

An ENT Specialist, Dr Sandeep Sharma (MBBS, MS), says: "Prolonged use of earphones at high volumes can lead to Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), Tinnitus, and ear infections. These conditions result from sound damage, poor ear hygiene, and extended exposure to loud music. Most of the patients I see are from the younger generation."Warning against the prolonged use of these devices, Sharma adds, "Ear infections can cause permanent damage to the ear. When a patient comes to me, I first listen to their concerns and conduct an examination. If you use earphones, it is better to use wired ones, as wireless earphones may harm the body."