Headphone Use Risks and Social Shielding Effects Examined

Health specialists warn that frequent, prolonged use of earbuds at high volume can cause permanent damage to the auditory cells that receive sound. Paula Junqueira, a speech‑language pathologist at the Hospital Sírio‑Libanês, cited the World Health Organization’s "60 × 60" guideline, advising listeners to keep volume below 60 % of the device’s maximum and limit use to 60 minutes per session. She added that if a person speaking from one metre away cannot be heard, the level is likely hazardous, and exposure to noise above 85 decibels over time raises the risk of hearing loss.

Separately, psychologists describe a “No‑Music Headphone Effect” in which people wear silent earbuds as a defensive social cue. The practice signals to others that the wearer is unavailable for interaction, reducing the brain’s social‑processing load and helping to conserve mental energy. Studies in neuroscience journals link this behavior to lower interpersonal stress and a perceived sense of control over one’s environment.