When most think of headphones and health, they immediately jump to the concept that wearing headphones too long will cause hearing loss. While this is a very real problem, it isn’t the only thing you should consider when thinking about potential problems. The purpose of this article is to give you relevant information on health issues surrounding headphone usage.
Headphones as a source of EMF radiation:
Studies have shown that wearing headphones for prolonged periods can be dangerous. There was one experiment run by Benjamin Libet in 1979 where he had people wear headphones for up to 120 hours without sleep – he found some startling results from his research.
You see, at first, nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but upon a closer, Libet found a very peculiar side-effect of headphone usage: participants had a change of short-term memory and also experienced decreased mental sharpness.
When Libet tested these same people for EMF radiation levels, he found them to be quite high – about on par with what you would find from an FM radio. When the source is on your head like this it’s easy to see how problems can arise. There is some good news on this front, however: studies have shown that no permanent damage has been found in any individuals who used headphones for extended periods (beyond the 120-hour mark).
Can Headphones Cause Cancer?
However, there are still some serious concerns: we don’t know if long-term exposure could cause cancer or other potentially deadly conditions. While manufacturers and organizations such as the American Cancer Association have been unable to find any definitive link between headphones and cancer, studies show that EMF radiation from headphones causes a small increase in brain activity.
Precautions for Using Headphones:
So what do you need to watch out for? Well, anyone who wears headphones often – especially for hours on end without breaks – runs the risk of experiencing side effects such as sleep deprivation and general mentalging similar to drinking too much coffee. For all of you headphone users out there, be aware! And when in doubt, take a break.
Keeping your headphones on for extended periods (3+ hours) is something you should avoid, especially if you are using them for work or school. If possible, make an effort to switch out with another source at some point during the day. When using headphones long-term be aware of any changes in your auditory functions and try to get a full night’s sleep when you can – this will help keep the brain from going into overdrive while also reenergizing it after a long day.
When buying a new pair of headphones it’s hard not to look at the money sign and think that bigger is better – but in this case, bigger isn’t better. BiggerIn fact, bigger tends to mean more metal and thus more EMF radiation – so consider buying lightweight headphones, don’t cover your ears completely, and of course, make sure they’re not too big for your head.
Conclusion:
And finally, if you’ve got a pair of headphones you love but find them to be uncomfortable or simply want more options when it comes to sound, look into Bluetooth technology – it’s new and far superior to the old headphone wires. With any luck, this article has given you all the information you need on using headphones and for more do check Headphones Cloud; good luck out there!
