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Is it that bad? Clarify any habits and behaviors that you've heard might not be healthy.
Psst hello. You! Take those headphones off your ears and check them out. Are they covered in wax and dirt? That's what I thought.
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You probably use your headphones or AirPods on a daily basis. Mais si vous êtes comme la plupart, vous n'avez jamais pris la peine de les nettoyer, ou peut -être l'avez-vous fait une fois peu de temps après les avoir, swear that cette fois, vous prendriez mieux soin de from electronic devices.
That's a big mistake.
Less bright buds might not look like much. (They don't go in your mouth or anything!) But cleaning beforehand can expose you to potential problems in the ear department. Here's what can happen and the easy way to stay away.
The ramifications of not cleaning your headphones
1. You could get an infection
Your ears harbor an endless supply of sticky brown wax and natural oils. Every time you plug in your headphones, some of that dirt is transferred to the devices.
Your hearing aids also pick up dirt and bacteria when they're not in your ears, whether they're lying on your desk or buried at the bottom of your bag.
Simply put, you don't want to put that buildup back in your ears. "Bacteria in the atria can potentially cause an ear canal infection," says Thomas Mazzoni, DO , ENT and Allergy Associates ENT specialist.
It's not just a potential risk. The use of improperly cleaned devices such as earplugs or hearing aids is listed as one of the main factors that can increase the risk of bacterial or fungal infections in the ear, according to Merck's manuals .
You're even more likely to get an infection if you use cotton swabs to clean your ears , says Dr. Mazzoni. "They can wear down the ear canal and make it easier for bacteria to penetrate the skin." (And you thought brushing and sweeping was a must!)
2. Could potentially contribute to hearing loss
Another potential downside of dirty headphones? All that wax can clog your headphone speakers, causing you to crank the volume up and up. Over time, this can pave the way for hearing loss, says Dr. Mazzoni.
Even if the volume doesn't sound too loud, cranking it up "can potentially boost other frequencies to a higher level, which can damage hearing," he explains.
How to safely clean headphones
In an ideal world, you'd quickly clean your headphones every day, says Dr. Mazzoni. If that level of engagement seems too high, aim for every few days or even once a week. Everything is better than ever!
Removing gunk doesn't have to be a big project.
"I would clean headphones the same way I would ask hearing aid wearers to clean their devices," recommends Dr. Mazzoni. Rub some alcohol on a tissue or rag and gently wipe the buds. Do not use wet rags or chemical cleaners, recommends Johns Hopkins Medicine . The former can damage your headphones; The latter could damage your ears.
If stubborn wax is stuck to the speaker (yuck!), you'll need to carefully scrape or remove it. A hearing aid cleaning brush with a wax stick is a great tool for the job, and you can get them cheap (try these from Amazon for $6.99).
A dry toothbrush or toothpick also works in a pinch. Just avoid pushing too hard with the stick or you could damage the speaker.
So how bad is it to never clean your headphones?
Dirty headphones won't kill you. But they can increase your risk of ear infections and make you vulnerable to hearing loss over time.
So give your capsules a thorough clean at the end of the day... or whenever you remember. Your ears will thank you.
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