A common mistake: putting in your earphones without readjusting the volume- we have all done it at least once and yes, it can damage your ears and possibly cause temporary hearing loss according to a study.
Scientists from the University of Leicester, suggest that too loud music from earphones is just as damaging as the noise from jet engines. Listening to loud music of around 110 decibels, can cause temporary deafness and tinnitus which is characterized by ringing ears. This is the first time the extent of the damage has been studied.
How it works it that very load noises removes the protective coating of the hearing cells which then exposes the cells to damage. The study helps scientist recognise that some hearing loss is reversible is cases like this. It takes about 3 months for the damaged cells to recover and protect itself self with “sheath around the auditory nerve”.
The study also proves that damage to particular cells in the ear that carry signal to the brain can cause symptom as explained:
“The findings are part of ongoing research into the effects of loud noises on a part of the brain called the dorsal cochlear nucleus, the relay that carries signals from nerve cells in the ear to the parts of the brain that decode and make sense of sounds. The team has already shown that damage to cells in this area can cause tinnitus — the sensation of ‘phantom sounds’ such as buzzing or ringing.”
The study and it’s findings have been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Source: Science Daily via Mashable
