Can Wearing Headphones/Earbuds Cause Ear Infections?

Question

Article states that ears can get infected with earbuds with long uses but I don't see it using other resources to back up its claims.

Comments

Baton Rouge General is a hospital center, which initially leads readers to believe their claims. However, after reading the specific article I don't see the reliability in their arguments regarding earbuds/headphones and their ability to cause ear infections. The main reason for this, is because the article fails to cite any outside research or sources. Especially for a statement regarding health, experiments are typically needed to show proof and reliability. The author still works to make points but, there is no information provided as to where their data is collected from. When I went to look up specific points that were made like "earbuds can cause a scrape on the inner lining of the ear canal" there were no other websites making this exact claim. This makes me wonder where the author is collecting their information from. I continued to look up some other statements made about earbuds and ear health and a few other sources did end up sharing similar findings. However even if the overall statement is true, this article doesn't provide enough accurate and reliable evidence to make a trustworthy claim.

Answer 1

While the attached article doesn't reference any external sources, the claim that earbuds can cause ear infections is well-supported. 

Other organizations, such as Rush University Medical Center, the Harley Street ENT Clinic, and OSF Healthcare, are in agreement that earbuds put users at risk of ear infections and recommend similar methods for prevention and treatment. 

Additionally, medical literature supports the claim. One peer-reviewed study in The International Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy found a "potential link between extended headphone usage and increased susceptibility to ear infections." It reflected that its findings "[echo] concerns raised in other studies regarding the potential risks associated with prolonged headphone use."

Comments

Your argument is well-resourced, and your answer is well phrased. The article from Rush University Health Center is helpful, in that it gives pointers on how to prevent ear infections, but most of the evidence regarding a correlation between infections and earbuds is anecdotal, and doesn't suggest a pattern for a large population. That being said, your other resources, especially the International Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy, give real, solid evidence for a link between the two factors.

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I really liked how well put together your response is. Finding true medical centers and resources that agree and support the claim allows me as a reader to believe you even more because there's true research behind it.  While the evidence lacks a pattern, it still allows for more to be discovered and the articles were genuinely helpful in becoming aware about the potential risks in headphone/earbud usage.

Answer 2

This is great. I love how you pointed this out but I think you need more evidence on this topic to see if it is true or not. I can't find anything else about this topic other than the source you posted.

Answer 3

This claim argues that the use of earbuds can cause infection, which is exaggerated and a bit misleading. The article by Health & Wellness states, “Wireless headphones and earbuds that go directly in your ear are a breeding ground for sweat, bacteria and dirt, which can lead to infections” (General 1). They are attempting to make a connection between cleanliness and infection, which is not the major issue in regards to headphone injury. While headphones can cause infections, bacteria is not the main stem for concern, rather it is the abrasion. In a study done by the Natural Library of Medicine, there is a likelihood for external infection from wearing headphones too often. When an abrasion occurs from temperature and humidity, and bacteria, from the headphones or not, is likely to cause an infection ( Mazalan 1). This shows that it is not necessarily the internal dirtiness of headphones, but rather the external chafing that causes infection. The Natural Library of Medicine concluded that, “study does not substantiate concern regarding the potential for headphones to increase the likelihood of developing an external ear infection” (Mazalan 1). Although earbuds can cause infection it is important to have the facts straight when presenting it to an audience. Overall Health & Wellness was incorrect about their claims, and had no sources to back up their findings.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3406203/#:~:text=Wearing%20headphones%20or%20earplugs%20has,the%20canal%20skin%20(4).

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22844220/