Does Using Headphones Increase Ear Bacteria?

Our ears are naturally holes. Darkness, moisture, oil, and dead skin abound. It is a huge breeding ground for bacteria. Many of us listen to music or watch movies with headphones. Noise from headphones blocks the ear canal. This makes the environment more suitable for the microbes to eat. Wondering how?

In 2008, a group of researchers from Manipal University in India discovered that frequent use of headphones (earbuds) increases the number of bacteria in the ear. Most are bacteria of the Staphylococcus type. That is normal skin bacteria. Again, in 1992, a study by the US Navy Medical Research Institute showed that the number of bacteria in the headphones increased almost 11 times in just 1 hour after the driver or passenger used the headphones. Hearing this, there is nothing to be afraid of. The headphones used in this study were sterilized before use. So 11 times sounds like a lot. But this number is not that much.

There is no big problem if you use earphones in your ears. That should actually be done in populated areas to reduce noise pollution. Some studies also suggest that caution should be exercised when placing or opening earphones.

The growth of the bacteria in that experiment was much higher than its normal birth rate. Most of the bacteria were already trapped in the ear skin and wax-producing sebaceous glands, the researchers said. The dark and warm environment created by the headphones brought them out of their slumber.

These bacteria usually do not harm the ear. A 2002 study of call center workers in Malaysia found no association between ear disease and headphone use. That is, due to headphones, the generation of bacteria in the ear increases. But the number does not increase. Because they were already there. Because the environment is favorable, those bacteria inside the ear become active. The body's immune system is already prepared to protect them from damage. So there is nothing to fear.

There is no big problem if you use earphones in your ears. That should be done in populated areas to reduce noise pollution. Some studies also suggest that caution should be exercised when placing or opening earphones. Repeated rubbing of the earphones can cause skin damage to the ear. In that case, the infection can be caused by other harmful bacteria. However, there is no strong evidence for this. Still, it doesn't hurt to be careful.