Effect Of Earphone

Majekodunmi Segun

Earpiece or earphone is not just a fashionable
accessory; it is a device used by Disco Jockey(DJ) to balance musical
sound and notes. In communication, it is used by many people to
isolate noise from the process of exchanging messages. In the media,
journalists transcribe audio message with the aid of earphone,
especially from midget or recording device.
There are currently about 12 million smartphone users in Nigeria. The
figure is rising and young people form the biggest patronage for these
gadgets given the complexity of most smart phones and the required
skills needed to navigate the phones. Equally increasing is the use of
earphones and headphones by this generation. With ears plugged
for a good numbers of hours, young people listen to music, recordings
and make calls using them.
The World Health Organization puts the figure of deaf people and
those with hearing challenge in the world at 275 million. This number
is different from those experiencing momentary deafness.
Asides the hazard that accompanies with the use of
earphones and headphones, there also exists noise
pollution from religious places, parties, clubs and factories with
heavy machinery. Research already points to the noise level from
earphones at their maximum level being similar to that of a jet.
Mr Tunde Faniran who identified himself as a Civil Servant " looking
round public places and higher institutions, it is a common sight to
see young people, especially students with earphones, firmly plugged
to their ears and listening to loud music blaring there from the
earphone. They nod to the rhythm vibrating from the accessory as they
walk down busy roads or streets.
Many of these people do not know the danger posed by their action.
Apart from exposing them to the risk of being knocked down by vehicle,
it is also dangerous to the ear and poses great risk to health"
 For some, earphones have become some form of fashion accessory that
they could not go anywhere without it. Even hallowed and sacred
institutions like the church and school are not insulated as some
worshipers and students now display their ‘earphonemania’ in these
places, among other public places.
A Clergy who disclose his name as Mr Omoshola Godswill explain his
ordeal with a youth using earphones "I really don't understand the
mentality behind wearing headphones and earpieces by the road side.
Majority of Nigerian youths are guilty of this act.
I think its just reta.rded that they would do so by the road side. Are
they expressing freedom by that or whose life is in jeopardy? Just the
other day I was driving home and this dude was walking by the roadside
with this big earphone on and had already started drifting to the
road. It took just providence for me to spot him else I would have
cleared him off. He was right on the p road. And to make matters worse
he couldnt even hear my horn until I nudged him gently with my bumper
and then he went ballistic like Wetin dey do you? You dey kraze ni abi
you dey blind? Imagine that! and he was in the middle of the
road. More youths will start dying on this earpiece thing if them no take time"
A teacher, Mr Stanley Ossai, also expressed concerns akin to the
pastor’s. “It is not
uncommon now to see some students, especially those in the Senior
Secondary category come to class with earphones. Annoyingly, some of
them would want to wear it all through the lessons periods. How do you
learn when your ears are blocked?”, he queried.
The Basic Science teacher noted that the seizure of
some earphones by some teachers has “not served as enough deterrent to
some of these students as some of them are still in the habit of
wearing earphones to school”.
Damola Oduleye Revealed to our correspondent that "Listening to music
with earphones is not a problem but when both ears are exposed to
audible sound, the eardrum is damaged gradually and such person may.
Eventually go deaf. Often time, many
People are carried away by the music and they won’t hear vehicle
honking at them to stay away from the road. In the process, they get
hit"
Olaolu Oshungboye a student said "I was once almost knocked by a
Trailer if not for my friend who alerted me by slapping on my back it
would have been something else because my earphone was deeply plugged
in my ear since then I have reduce the use of earphone"
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency has been busy in the
state policing noise pollution coming from religious places. The
National
Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency
(Establishment) Act of 2007
remains the only law in Nigeria addressing issues of noise pollution.
Predictably, the Act is silent about
earphones and headphones. Its concern is for the public and not the
individual. In a conversation with a Student who identified himself as
 Ayeni Tolulope explained that not all those with earphones on are
listening to
music. He mentioned that He uses it to
listen to audio lectures, Radio and also audio messages.
If you listed the benefits of earphones, you could probably go on and
on. You can use them to listen to music while working out, doing
chores or even while
waiting for a long bus ride to be over.  However, no matter how
awesome or beneficial earphones may seem, they
still have their downside such as;
Hearing Loss
One of the main side effects of listening to loud music is hearing
loss, people who listen to music at
volumes exceeding 90 decibels, can suffer temporary loss of hearing.
Sounds in this range can eventually cause permanent hearing loss,
especially to teenagers who wear their earphones for long periods of
time.

Decibel Ranges

Decibels are the measurement of loudness. If you listen to music at a
restrained volume, then you don't have to worry. However, if you
listen to music at the highest volume possible might want to consider
the following warnings. If you listen to your music usingThe unit of
measurement of sound is decibels. The
human ear is discomforted by any sound above 85
decibels. Earphones like the ones Lagos State University Teaching
Hospital plans to discourage can offer between 100 and 120 decibels
when used optimally; capable of landing one a visit with an Ear, Nose
and Throat (ENT) specialist.
earphones at 85 decibels, you can get permanent hearing loss if you
listen up to eight hours a day. At 88 decibels, you can get the same
result at just four hours of listening time. Now for the painful
truth, you can lose your hearing in just 15 minutes if you listen at
100-105 decibels.

Ear Infections

Since earphones are made for two ears, it is quite inevitable that
people share them. Regular use of earphones
can enhance the growth of harmful bacteria, and sharing or borrowing
earphones may just cause the
transfer someone else's bacteria to your ears. It is adviceable for
everyone to avoid sharing earphones. If it
cannot be helped, sanitize them before using.

Tips and Warnings

Do not use earphones that are inserted directly into your ear canals
because, even though they can make the music sound better, they
enhance the chances of hearing loss will also increase. You should
also try taking 5-minute breaks every hour. This will help your
ears recover from being bombarded by concentrated sound waves. Last
but not least, if you can use speakers at a moderate level instead,
then do so
because they will disperse the sound waves and not cause as much
direct damage to your ear drums.