In an age where technology seamlessly integrates into our lives, headphones such as AirPods have become an everyday necessity. As someone who constantly wears AirPods — whether for music, podcasts, shows or phone calls — it’s easy to appreciate their convenience. Despite their popularity and convenience, consumers should be aware of several drawbacks and potential dangers. These devices harm our health, and perhaps we ignore some serious risks.
Could your favorite AirPods be damaging your hearing without you even realizing it? Constantly using AirPods daily can lead to potential hearing loss. According to a 2020 study by the Mayo Clinic, “24 percent of [people] ages 12 to 35 listened to sound at unsafe levels.” This study was based on different types of headphones, such as Sony and Bose.
The decibel scale measures sound intensity. Exposure to high decibel levels can lead to permanent hearing damage. AirPods can reach levels of 100 decibels or more, which can cause hearing loss in just 15 minutes of exposure. The damage will also occur faster. Other headphones like Bose or Sony deliver sound directly into your ear at high volumes and pose a similar danger. In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) created standards for tackling hearing loss, one of which is for devices to be set at default output level (pre-set volume limit on a device, such as AirPods, when they are first used or reset) to protect consumers’ hearing with a range of 70 to 85 decibels. These are the recommended safe listening levels set to prevent long-term hearing damage. A rock concert, for example, is so loud that it would be 110 decibels, which can cause hearing damage within just a few minutes, just like AirPods can if one listens to sound louder than 85 decibels.
Another serious risk is radiation exposure. According to the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS News), “a group of scientists [from the University of Colorado] are warning against the use of Apple AirPods, saying potentially dangerous radiation being beamed into your heads could pose a cancer risk.”
Scientists’ main concern about radiation is its potential link to health risks. The use of AirPods could pose a risk due to the radiation they emit, which could affect your health in the form of cancer.
“As many as 250 experts from 40 countries have signed a United Nations and WHO petition warning against the use of Apple AirPods. They believe the earbuds pose possible cancer risks due to the Bluetooth technology, a type of electromagnetic frequency (EMF) radio wave that can transmit data.”
This quote emphasizes that a large, international body of experts — 250 from 40 countries —is voicing concern. The fact that they’ve signed a petition with the backing of prominent organizations like the United Nations and World Health Organizations adds weight to the warning. They specifically attribute the risk to Bluetooth technology and its reliance on EMF, which could be harmful due to the radiation involved.
According to CBS, scientists say the greatest threat is the proximity of AirPods to a person’s skull. Experts pointed out that the International Agency for Research on Cancer discovered that EMF is “possibly carcinogenic” to humans. Significant evidence shows possible concerns for people’s health and development from any technology that operates at radio frequencies.
Using AirPods also increases the risk of ear infections. Apple was sued for a “defect” in the AirPods Max headphones, which are similar to the AirPods, because moisture collected inside the ear cups, disrupting the product’s performance.
Dr. Anthony Cornetta, an otolaryngologist at New York University’s Langone Huntington Medical Group, explained to the Post that although the lawsuit didn’t address ear infections, any device that traps moisture in the ear canal can lead to inflammation and potentially cause an infection.
According to Anthony Cornetta, “This can then lead to a bacteria or a fungal external ear infection, similar to a swimmers’ ear…[bacteria]) can be with any product that covers the ear canal opening.”
Of course, there are two sides to every story. AirPods are used for their convenience. They allow us to go hands-free while multitasking and provide incredible sound quality. They’re much better than bulky wired headphones that get tangled and restrict our movement. The Apple website has a section listing safety and handling information about AirPods. It mentions hearing loss, prolonged heat exposure, electrostatic shock, choking hazards, etc. While Apple emphasizes the warnings, how can they prevent some of these issues? Additionally, it’s worth noting that many risks associated with AirPods are preventable. People should keep these concerns in mind when using wireless earbuds.
