As an increasing number of athletes and adults ditch wireless earphones for wired ones, doctors give some sound advice
From locker rooms to jogging tracks, red carpets and sports arenas, big names like Davante Adams, Puka Nacua, Aaron Rogers, Shruti Haasan, Shahid Kapoor and many others are ditching wireless earbuds and earphones, and switching to the traditional wired earplugs and headphones.
There have been rising concerns over the electromagnetic field (EMF) created by these devices and their effect on the brain. Some people have complained that continuous and long use of these wireless earphones and earbuds has triggered health issues like vertigo and hearing loss. While music buffs niff and naff about wireless versus wired earphones and cord headphones, doctors argue that all types of earphones are harmful, as continuous exposure to high decibel volume could damage a person’s hearing. Not to forget, the build-up of earwax at the surface level.
A Wired Comeback
“After a decade of wireless earbuds dominating campuses, gyms and cafes, many young people are quietly returning to wired earphones,” says Dr. Sachin Adukia, a Senior Consultant Neurologist, LL Hirana-ndani Hospital, Mumbai. Dr Sachin explains, “This ship is not nostalgia, it reflects growing awareness about health, practicality and control in an always-connected world.”
Dr. Sachin explains how wireless earphones are undeniably convenient. But convenience often comes with strings attached. From a neurological and ear-health perspective, he explains that wired earphones still have a few clear “brownie points” in their favour. But wireless ones don’t.
Listen Up
For those who are unaware, electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are invisible energy waves created whenever electricity gets moving. You can’t see or touch them, but they’re everywhere. Radios, television sets, Wi-Fi, mobile phones and Bluetooth all continuously send and receive information in a nonstop loop. And this is where wireless earphones enter the picture.
Simply put, they thrive on radiofrequency (RF) waves, which are low-energy waves. What happens next is that these waves carry digital data from your phone through the air. That’s when your tiny earbuds catch it, decode it, and turn it into sound. So instead of sound travelling through a wire, it floats its way directly into your ears. No cables, no knots, just invisible waves thundering their way in!
Dr Sachin points out that while science hasn’t yet slammed the gavel on low-level EMFs causing direct brain damage, a few warning bells are already ringing. The concern isn’t the here and now, but the long game—especially for users who plug in young and stay switched on for years. Dr Sachin wryly puts it, “Medicine has taught us humility that the absence of proof is not proof of absence.”
Ear-Full Of Ailments
Recently, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer classified radiofrequency radiation as a Class 2B Possible Human Carcinogen. Three years later, researchers found a potential link between long-term mobile phone use and glioma, a type of brain tumour. Dr Joy Mounica, Consultant Neuro-logist, Renova Hospitals from Hyderabad says, “Prolonged and improper use of earphones has been increasingly linked to auditory concerns.” Dr Joy explains that teen hearing loss has been on the rise by 30% in the past two decades.
Dr Ghulam Muqtada Khan, Consultant & Surgeon, Neuro and Spine Surgery, Mumbai, seconds her views and says, “From the neurosurgical and audiological perspective, neither style of earphones is inherently safer.” He goes on to explain that hearing health is determined by volume, duration, and frequency of use. Dr Khan quips, “Device type plays a minimal role; listening behaviour is the main culprit.”
What feels like harmless listening today could turn into an expensive mistake tomorrow. Dr Khan warns that hours of loud audio pumped straight into our ears can quietly set the stage for permanent noise-induced hearing loss. The fallout doesn’t stop there—it can also invite tinnitus and make it harder for the brain to process everyday sounds. Most importantly, he cautions that this risk doesn’t discriminate: whether your earphones are wired or wireless, careless listening can still come back to bite.
Tune In / Tune Out
Dr Sachin further points out that wireless earbuds quietly promote an “always-on-the-loop” lifestyle. With no cords to tangle or tug, he notes, they invite users to stay perpetually plugged in—jumping from calls to podcasts, music, and social chatter without ever hitting pause.
In contrast, he quips that wired earphones come with built-in speed breakers. The dangling cords, the occasional snag, the need to unplug — these small inconveniences naturally press the pause button on constant listening. In Dr Sachin’s view, what seems like a nuisance to the ears may actually be a blessing for the brain, nudging it to rest, reset, and breathe between beats.
Dr Khan says, “Keep the volume at safe levels and limit continuous listening spans with timely breaks.” He nudges those into continuous listening to use noise-cancellation or well-fitted earphones so as to avoid instances of volume escalation.
Dr Joy advises that following the 60/60 hearing rule can go a long way in protecting our ears. In simple terms, the volume on your device should never cross 60%. She also recommends opting for certified low–electromagnetic interference earphones and making it a habit to clean both the device and the buds regularly. Most crucially, she stresses the need to give your ears—and brain—a break by avoiding heavy or loud audio for at least two hours before bedtime.
The Way Forward
In a world obsessed with noise cancellation and cordless calls, wired earphones quietly make a strong case for staying connected the old-fashioned way. Perhaps, wireless may be sleek and seamless, but wired keeps your listening grounded, limited, and a little more mindful!
Sound Bytes
• Several athletes and celebrities like Aaron Rogers, Davante Adams, Puka Nacua, Shahid Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Sonam Kapoor, Shruti Haasan have stopped using wireless earbuds and switched to wired headphones.
• Listening at high volume for long periods could lead to noise-induced hearing loss
• CDC recommends the
60/60 rule: listen at less than 60% volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a time
• Earbuds can lead to wax build-up as they trap moisture and bacteria.
If not cleaned regularly, this can lead to ear infections.
• Constant use of earphones can lead to ear pain, ear fatigue, headaches, or general discomfort
• Noise-cancellation earphones or headphones block ambient sounds like traffic or warnings, posing a safety risk in certain environments.
