Can AirPods Cause Cancer?

Every time a new device appears, some people may start spreading rumors that it can cause various ailments. That can be a typical human reaction to things to which we’re unfamiliar. It’s normal to be skeptical – up to a certain point. Remember what they were saying about mobile phones when they first appeared, that they cause cancer? Despite several studies, there has been no conclusive evidence that a user contracted cancer due to their mobile phone.

But this time it’s different. For the first time, we’re not only carrying a device near our skin, but we actually put them in our ears. Could AirPods be more dangerous than regular earbuds? Could they cause cancer? In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know.

Bluetooth Radiation

The truth is that Bluetooth devices, such as AirPods, emit small amounts of radiation. But stay calm. That amount is so small that it can’t cause cancer. If you’re scared of the word “radiation”, let us reassure you. All our devices emit small amounts of radiation, and we’re surrounded by it.

The only way to escape radiation would be to go live somewhere far from civilization. But even that wouldn’t 100 percent protect you from radiation, as we’ve built cell phone towers, which give off some level of radiation, everywhere.

Should you give up on AirPods to protect yourself from radiation? Well, if you’re truly worried about radiation, you should give up your smartphone first. Our smartphones emit far more radiation than AirPods. If you really want to escape the radiation, you’d have to live without your smartphone, which many people today might find almost impossible to do.

Therefore, eliminating AirPods to avoid radiation won’t make a big difference, even though you need to put them in your ears.

What Do Scientists Say?

Some scientists have expressed their concerns about the effect of the radiation on a human’s body, but they don’t have enough evidence to show that cellphones are a danger. They’re not urging people to stop using technology. They do suggest that we try to limit our exposure to technology and perhaps spend some time in nature, without our devices.

One study on male rats revealed that exposure to extensive daily cellphone radiation could be linked to a higher number of heart tumors. Extensive daily radiation means that during the experiment, rats spent almost 24 hours a day surrounded by devices emitting strong radiation.

It’s hard to compare rats and humans as, among other differences, rats’ bodies are smaller and more susceptible to the effects of radiation. If we wanted to conduct a similar study on humans, we would need to have gigantic AirPods larger than our bodies. And that’s certainly not the level of radiation we’re exposed to in everyday life.

Research on Cancer

The International Agency for Research on Cancer conducted a 10-year study on the possible long-term effects of cellphone radiation. The study included participants from 13 countries who defined themselves as average cellphone users. The research showed no increased risk of brain tumors, even after 10 years of using cellphone daily.

Once again, let us remind you that cellphone radiation levels are higher than the level of Bluetooth radiation in your AirPods. Which may be all the reasons you need to stay calm and not worry about cancer. And in the end, too much stress and worrying could have a worse effect on our bodies than radiation.

Are AirPods Safe?

Scientists claim that AirPods can’t cause cancer, but there’s something else that worries them. If we listen to loud music during long periods of time, we might be risking several hearing issues. The most severe of all them is hearing loss. This should be an area of concern, because, as of now, there are no long-term studies on AirPods effect on hearing.

Apart from hearing loss, there’s a more common condition that even young people experience. It’s called Tinnitus, and it’s a direct result of being exposed to loud sounds. You may start hearing a constant ringing in your ears that’s not only irritating, but it also makes it difficult to hear and understand other sounds.

As the technology develops, there are more cases of young people with hearing issues than ever before. Which means it might be high time to do something about it, on both a personal and on a national level.

What Can We Do About It?

The first rule is not to listen to music at high volume levels for long periods of time. Some songs might sound better played loudly, but you shouldn’t do that if you want to protect your hearing. It’s especially important to educate children because loud sounds can be even more devastating for their sensitive ears.

If you’re on a long commute and plan to use your AirPods to listen to audiobook along the way, at least make sure to take a break every hour or so. Sit in silence for a few minutes and give your ears a break.

Another good piece of advice is to clean your AirPods regularly to avoid other health problems. You can clean them with a dry cloth, or add a little bit of water if needed. Use a small brush to clean meshes, but be careful not to use anything sharp. Make sure to take good care of your AirPods in order to prevent germs and bacteria.

Digital Detox

The only way to escape radiation is to spend some time in nature. It sounds obvious, but it’s one of the best things you can do for your body and mind. Plan your weekend getaway. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. Even two hours in a local park can do wonders for your health. You’ll feel refreshed and renewed.

How often do you use your AirPods? What are your best practices to relax and disconnect? Let us know in the comments section below.