By Kayla DeKraker
No matter where you go, it seems that everyone has an earbud in their ear, listening to their favorite video, music or podcast, but could excessive use of these devices cause problems? Some experts think so.
Family medicine doctor Dan Weisel shared that he even has patients come into appointments with wireless earbuds jammed in their ears.
“My initial reaction is, that’s rude because it seems like you’re not giving me your full attention,” he reflected before adding, “Technology influences culture and it influences manners. So I have to tell myself, having earbuds in isn’t something I understand intuitively but maybe it’s intuitive for Gen Z.”
But wearing earbuds in situations like this isn’t just rude; it also damages people’s ability to focus.
Psychologist Gloria Mark explained, “People really can only cognitively focus on one thing at a time. So when a person has earbuds in, they’re either listening to their music or they’re listening to you. They might think they’re doing both but what they’re doing is switching their attention back and forth.”
Some audiologists are also beginning to worry about the effect of noise canceling headphones on the ears and the brain as rates of auditory processing disorder rise. The Mayo Clinic defines the disorder as “a type of hearing loss caused by something affecting the part of the brain that processes how you hear.”
“The brain is used to dealing with thousands of different sounds at the same time and it’s always been able to figure out what is and isn’t worth listening to. If a dog barks outside, in a split second I recognize that it’s a dog barking and I don’t really care,” explained Imperial College clinical lead Renee Almeida.
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“With noise cancelling, you’re giving your brain only one source of sound, be it a podcast or music. One source. There’s nothing else for your brain to worry about,” she added.
Though nothing has been officially documented or proven regarding this theory, many believe that what they are seeing in their clinics warrants studies.
Almeida said, “Studies definitely need to be done. The research should focus on the effects of extended use, especially in young people.”
Another audiologist, Dr. Cheryl Edwards, is also seeing a concerning trend. “We certainly see academic issues,” she said regarding the children she works with.
“I’ve had students wear Airpods during class and then claim they didn’t hear me give instructions or ask questions,” a New York middle school teacher said. “It’s frustrating because I know they’re capable of doing the work, but they’re choosing to tune out instead.”
Whether or not earbuds cause physical issues, we should be mindful when we use the devices to ensure that we’re giving the people around us our full attention and respect.
Read Next: Toddler Screentime Linked to Atypical Sensory Processing
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