Have you looked In close collaboration with your headphones lately? I did it, and I was horrified how rude they were. My faithful apple airpods had become so puffed and sewn in ear wax, I was really embarrassed, and almost reluctant to put something so nasty in my ears.
But are my yellowed airpods really a risk for my health? I asked the doctor Jonathan Webster, to RadicallyWho explained that although the ear fashion is protective and part of the normal ear cleaning process, “problems arise because the long -term use of headphones prevents wax from migrating naturally to the outside – And therefore it accumulates, trapping humidity and subject to being infected. »»
The headphones can also push the ear cloth more deeply into the auditory duct, leading to blockages and discomfort. There is a reason why your ENT surgeon likes saying “do nothing smaller than your elbow in your ear.” Webster also explained that “there was certainly a increase Associated with the use of headphones, including hearing loss, tinnitus and infections. »»
The hearing loss does not have much to see with my poor cleanliness of the helmets, but it should be recalled that “prolonged exposure to loud noise can damage very delicate hair cells in the inner ear (cochlear), causing a permanent hearing loss. With intra-ear headphones, there is a concentration of sound led in the ear, which can make it more likely to cause a problem. »»
It should also be noted that the United Kingdom National health service Advives that headphones should not listen to music at more than 60% of the maximum volume, and not for more than an hour at a time.
Chris Haslam
Can dirty headphones really cause infections?
There was no huge clinical research on the cleanliness of the helmets, but according to a survey of ABC 11 In 2019, microbiologist Michael Taveirne, from the North Carolina State University, escaped several different headphones and sent cultures for tests. The results have shown Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas, two types of bacteria that can cause infection in the right circumstances.
Likewise, according to a ENT specialistThe headphones house about 2,700 times more bacteria than the average cutting board, six times more bacteria than the kitchen sink. It is quite disgusting, but even then, you are not guaranteed to be infected.
Bacteria are not intrinsically problematic, but if your headphones do not adapt properly and you always play with them, there is a higher risk that you scratch or damage the auditory duct, which will create the perfect conditions for Bacteria thrive. Add sports sweat and hours of daily outfit, and you might be a unpleasant surprise.
How to clean your headphones
Thus, your headphones are disgusting, but fortunately, it is surprisingly easy to restore their cleanliness safely with only a few essential elements of the household.
- Spray or disinfectant wipes:: Alcohol -free wipes And spray Will not harm rubber, plastic, silicone or acrylic, but I will make a quick job of your filthy buds, quickly dissolving wax.
- Headphones cleaning: There are countless options availableEach designed to enter the smallest spaces. But before investing, first try to use an old toothbrush or Q-TIP.
- A microfiber fabric: If you have a lens cleaner with your sunglasses, it will work well, although specific technological fabrics are available. The key is to use a fabric that will not scratch and minimize static accumulation.
- Soapy water: A soft soap without added moisturizers will eliminate any exterior residue. Check the IP water resistance rating of your buds before doing something other than meticulous wiping.
- Silica gel pack: Chuck one in your gym kit bag with your headphones and this will help absorb excess humidity.
