As Joni Mitchell once sang, “you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone,” and that rings particularly true for our health. In early 2025, I learned this lesson the scary way when what started as a nasty weeks-long cold turned into the following symptoms in my left ear: reduced hearing, a feeling of fullness, occasional tinnitus (ringing in the ear) and a day or two of balance issues, as the inner ear helps with the body’s equilibrium.
What turned out to be eustachian tube dysfunction -- when the tube connecting the middle ear to the back of the nose no longer functions properly -- left me frantically googling ways to preserve my ear health. As a wellness writer with 10-plus years of experience and a strong understanding of the importance of taking precautionary health measures, I wanted to do everything in my power to prevent hearing loss from happening again.
During my search for answers, I found that a common piece of technology may be contributing to my hearing issues: earbuds. I spoke to ear health experts, who said earbuds inserted directly into your ear can cause hearing loss and other issues. Here’s what experts say about earbuds and ear health.
The ear health risks that come with earbuds
Earbuds can pose a few risks, according to Dr. Ruth Reisman, a licensed audiologist and New York hearing aid dispenser. They can trap heat and moisture in the ear, increasing the risk of ear infections. With repeated use, earbuds can also push earwax deeper into the ear, leading to buildup or impaction. Plus, if your earbuds don’t fit correctly or you wear them for long periods, they can cause irritation or soreness in your ear canal.
“Earbuds sit directly in the ear canal, which can increase several risks. The biggest concern is noise-induced hearing loss if volume is too high or listening time is too long,” said Reisman. “I have witnessed all of these problems in the course of my 15 years as an audiologist.”
When you listen to content at high volume, particularly for an extended period, Dan Troast, an audiologist at HearUSA, explains that it can permanently damage the delicate hair cells in your inner ear. Earbud use combined with high volume can cause:
Noise-induced hearing loss
Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing or hissing in the ears)
Sound sensitivity over time
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