Business Enquiries: https://www.business.thebluecats.com.sg/ The Blue Cats' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/singaporethebluecats/ More reading: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-rock-out-with-ear-buds-or-headphones-without-damaging-your-hearing https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss Many people in Singapore use earbuds daily, especially when commuting on public transport, not just for entertainment, but to block out noisy passengers. Unlike countries where people drive to work, Singaporeans rely heavily on public transport, which often comes with uninvited soundtracks like loud livestreams or phone calls. As a result, using earbuds feels like a necessity. But this raises the question: can prolonged earbud use harm your ears? The short answer is yes, and it’s not just about volume, but also about hygiene and moisture buildup. One major concern is ear infections, especially if you sweat a lot or use earbuds while exercising. Most earbuds block airflow to your ears, creating a moist, dark environment where bacteria and fungi thrive. Studies show that bacteria count in the ear can increase up to 11 times after just one hour of earbud use. Continued daily use without proper hygiene or using non-breathable earbuds can lead to recurring ear infections. The solution? Invest in exercise-friendly earbuds that are designed to allow airflow, even if they cost more; it’s a long-term investment for both hygiene and hearing. Beyond infections, there’s the risk of actual hearing loss, especially from loud music over long periods. This condition, called noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), occurs when loud sounds damage the delicate hair cells in the inner ear, and once damaged, they don’t grow back. It’s estimated that 1 in 8 young people might already have some level of hearing loss from headphones or earbuds. The scary part? It’s progressive and irreversible. So even though you won’t lose your hearing overnight, you may find yourself slowly becoming that person who constantly asks others to speak louder. To prevent this, there are simple but effective tips: follow the 60/60 rule. Keep the volume under 60% and take breaks every 60 minutes. Use your phone’s volume safety warnings and avoid cheap earbuds that don’t fit properly, as they can cause you to raise the volume. Most importantly, consider using noise-cancelling earbuds, which let you listen at lower volumes by blocking out background noise. Just be alert when you’re on the streets: you don’t want to be hit by a PMD while vibing to your playlist.