[Sportschosun Jang Jong-ho] A man in China suffered a shocking accident after the earbuds he wore to fall asleep while listening to music overheated and burst.
According to Chinese media outlets, including China.com, the man fell asleep wearing the earbuds and was suddenly hit by an overheating and explosion incident in the middle of the night. The impact reportedly caused the man's left ear to swell and turn red almost immediately.
The man said he felt a strong burning sensation and pain inside his ear right after the accident. Fortunately, a detailed hospital examination found no serious injuries, such as hearing damage or tissue loss.
The incident has prompted experts to warn people about the habit of wearing earbuds while sleeping. In particular, they noted that falling asleep while wearing electronic devices with unclear safety certification can increase the risk of unexpected accidents, including battery overheating and electrical malfunctions.
Long hours of earbud use can also strain hearing health. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends using earbuds for no more than one hour at a time and keeping the volume at 60% or lower of the maximum level.
Experts warned that even at low volume, sound delivered close to the ear for long periods can repeatedly stimulate the inner ear.
Because hearing loss usually develops gradually, most people do not notice it early. By the time everyday conversation becomes hard to hear, significant damage has often already occurred.
Sleeping with earbuds in can also affect ear canal health, beyond hearing problems.
When earbuds block the ear canal for long periods, they create a sealed environment with poor ventilation, allowing moisture and heat to build up. That makes it easier for bacteria and fungi to grow. As a result, the risk of inflammatory conditions such as otitis externa can rise, and symptoms may include ear pain, itching, and increased discharge.
Experts advised that if you want to listen to music before bed, it is safer to use a speaker with an automatic shutoff function or a sleep timer.
Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
