Can Bluetooth Earbuds Cause Brain Cancer? Expert Busts Myth

Bluetooth earbuds are widely used and popular for their convenience. However, discussion around its safety for ear health takes place every now and then. There have been questions around the fact whether these earbuds can lead to brain cancer or not. This article will answer this query for you today.

To understand this better, we reached out to Dr Pooja Pillai, Consultant Internal Medicine, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore.

Can Bluetooth Earbuds Lead to Brain Cancer? 

Dr Pillai assures that bluetooth earbuds do not cause brain cancer. She adds, “This claim is a common myth that has been clarified by health experts. These devices use low-power radiofrequency (RF) signals to connect to phones, and the level of radiation they produce is much lower than that of mobile phones. Scientific studies over many years have not found strong or clear evidence linking bluetooth devices to cancer. International health bodies say that the small amount of energy from earbuds is not enough to damage cells or DNA in a way that would lead to cancer.”

The expert further explains, “Bluetooth signals do not stay concentrated in one place and quickly reduce with distance. Some people worry because earbuds are placed close to the head; but even then, the exposure is still considered very low and within safe limits.” 

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Tips to Use Earbuds Safely

According to the Cleveland Clinic, here are some signs of noise-induced hearing loss from earbuds, headphones or other loud sources:

• Ringing in your ears (tinnitus).
• Inability to hear higher-pitched sounds (such as birds singing).
• Muffled sounds, as well as difficulty following conversations.

Many people have the habit of falling asleep with earbuds on. While this is not safe, some people are unable to leave this habit. For these individuals, the Cleveland Clinic has jotted the following safety tips:

• Set the volume low.
• Limit listening time.
• Skip noise-cancelling modes.
• Keep the earbuds clean.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that you must set your device’s volume level to no more than 60% of maximum. It notes that if you are using an app to monitor your sound level, it is advisable to stay below 80dB average. 

“It is always good to use devices in moderation and follow basic safety habits,” concludes Dr Pillai.

ALSO READ- Headphones and Earbuds: How Much Is Too Much for Your Ears?

Conclusion

Expert confirms that there is no need to panic about brain cancer risk from bluetooth earbuds. To summarise, current research and expert opinion strongly suggest that using bluetooth earbuds is safe for everyday use and does not increase the risk of brain cancer.