Fact Check: Claim Of Excessive Usage Of Earbuds, Earphones Could Cause Facial Paralysis Is False

Vishvas News New Delhi – Upon investigation, Vishvas News has determined that the viral claim circulating on social media is misleading. According to medical experts, while excessive use of earphones and earbuds can indeed lead to health issues such as deafness, ear pain, infections, and stress, the assertion that it causes facial paralysis is false.

What’s going viral?

A user sent the viral video to Vishvas News’s WhatsApp tipline number +91 9599299372 and requested to verify the claims made in the video. Facebook user ‘Motivation of Success life‘ posted the video on August 1 and wrote, “Earphones are very dangerous for your health. Avoid using earphones. We carefully for your children. Don’t use earphones.

Side effects of excessive use of headphones or earphones

1. Deafness

2. Risk of heart disease

3. Headache

4. Increase in stress and tension

5. Paralysis

Vishvas News Investigation

To verify the viral claim, we searched Google with keywords about the health hazards of earphones or earbuds and checked all the claims one by one.

Paralysis by earphones

Firstly, we conducted a fact-check on the claim presented in the viral video. The assertion being made is that extended usage of earphones or earbuds can result in the paralysis of half the face. Through a keyword search, we came across a report from the Indian Express. According to a report published by the Indian Express, quoting PTI on November 19, 2020, the utilisation of earphones has surged due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, more individuals are visiting doctors with grievances of ear pain, irritation, and infection. Medical experts have pointed out that these complaints have risen due to the prolonged use of headphones and earbuds over the past seven to eight months.

Dr Srinivas Chavan, who leads the ENT department at JJ Hospital in Mumbai, has stated that wearing headphones for over eight hours places excessive strain on the ears. Unsterilised earbuds or earplugs can contribute to the spread of infections. Continuous exposure to loud noises for an extended period also weakens one’s hearing ability.

Dr Chavan cautioned that failure to alter these habits could lead to permanent damage to the ears. The earwax is naturally present in the ear combats bacteria and prevents infections. The use of cotton buds to clean the ears eliminates this protective wax layer and exposes the inner ear to bacterial infections, typically resulting in ear pain. Dr Chavan emphasized the importance of periodically removing earphones to allow fresh air into the ears.

On a related note, Dr Rahul Kulkarni, who heads the ENT unit at St. George’s Hospital, has noted that adults are also complaining of a burning sensation in their ears. Extended exposure to loud noises induces anxiety and irritability, which are common issues observed these days.

Subsequently, we reached out to Dr Varun Duggal, the physiotherapist featured in the viral video. He stated, “The viral video is indeed mine. However, I did not make the claim in question. A patient visited my clinic and recounted experiencing a headache and partial facial paralysis after using earphones. This condition is known as Bell’s palsy. I did not assert this; it was the patient’s statement. I shared this video with the sole intention of raising awareness.”

Dr Varun provided us with the link to the Facebook reel. The patient’s statement is visible in the reel, where she mentions using earphones throughout the day, which resulted in headaches. She now believes that her issue stemmed from using earphones. The reel was uploaded by a Facebook page named “DrVarun Duggal II” on July 21. On the same page, we located the viral video, which was posted on July 22.

In response to this matter, Dr Anil Kumar Kansal, the Principal Director of BLK Max Super Specialty Hospital and the Head of the Department of Neuro Surgery and Neuro Spine, clarified, “The assertion that earbuds can cause facial paralysis is inaccurate. This is not a factual occurrence. The video is misleading. There is no established connection between facial paralysis and the use of earbuds.”

Similarly, Dr Rajeev Puri, the Head of the ENT Head and Neck Surgery Department at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, also discredited this claim. He affirmed, “The notion that earphones or earbuds can induce facial paralysis is unfounded.”

Deafness Problem

An article featured in the Times of India on December 29, 2022, states, “A study, published in the BMJ Global Health Journal, reveals that over one billion individuals are at risk of developing deafness due to the usage of headphones and earbuds.”

Dr KK Handa, Chairman of ENT and Head of Neck Surgery at Medanta Gurugram noted that the issue of deafness resulting from loud noises has persisted for an extended period. Lately, there has been an escalation in the number of individuals who are experiencing hearing difficulties due to excessive headphone usage.

Dr Rajeev Puri, Head of the ENT Head and Neck Surgery Department at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, observed that people nowadays tend to listen to music at high volumes. Medical professionals have advised against prolonged usage of headphones.

On June 14, 2021, an article was published on the Only My Health website discussing the adverse effects of excessive earphone usage. It cited Dr Ravindra Gera, Head of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery at Max Healthcare Gurugram, who stated, “Excessive use of earphones can result in ear infections and pain. Prolonged and excessive earphone usage can contribute to a condition known as Vertigo. Vertigo is essentially a medical issue characterized by dizziness, which can arise suddenly and interfere with various activities. This dizziness stems from increased pressure within the ear canal caused by loud noise, potentially leading to reduced hearing ability. Prolonged use of earphones can also diminish the power of focus and concentration.”

Dr Anil Kumar Kansal emphasised, “Excessive use of earbuds or earphones can result in hearing loss and a phenomenon known as tinnitus, which entails hearing strange sounds in the ear.”  Dr Rajeev Puri commented, “Earphones or earbuds can impact hearing ability and potentially lead to ear infections.”

Increase in stress and risk of heart disease

In connection with this matter, Dr Om Shankar, the Head of the Department of Cardiology at Banaras Hindu University said, “Sustained utilisation of earphones can elevate stress or tension levels. This stress can indirectly impact the heart and contribute to fluctuations in blood pressure. Stress poses a threat to heart health.”

Headache due to earphones

An article on the website of Dainik Jagran dated September 26, 2022, stated that Dr Ashutosh Kumar, a member of the ENT department at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital, has highlighted the potential for headaches arising from extended hours of continuous earphone usage.

This clarification underscores that the assertion of facial paralysis in the video is false, yet certain assertions within the post hold merit. Lastly, we examined the profile of the user who shared the video. The profile, created on January 29, lists Jaipur as its location.