Listen Up, Expose the Volume Danger: Five Shocking Ways Your Ear Buds Might be Stealing Your Hearing

Not Just Hearing Loss: The Tinnitus Trap

Most of us are quite aware of the potential for hearing loss; however, another less-discussed but common ailment is Tinnitus. Characterized by ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in the ear, Tinnitus can be a direct consequence of cranky, loud music over an extended period.

Damage to the stereocilia, tiny hair-like structures situated on top of hair cells in the inner ear, can trigger Tinnitus. Listening through earbuds at high volume can cause these to bend or break, causing the hair cells to send random electrical impulses to your brain, leading to the aforementioned noises.