The expert recommends four quick solutions to avoid hearing damage and infection from AirPods

AirPod users could be unknowingly putting their health at risk every time they put their earbuds in. While the sleek design and perfect fit inside the outer ear canal has been a major selling point for Apple fans, improper use can have devastating results.

Improper use and maintenance of AirPods can cause a variety of health problems, from mild irritation to hearing damage, but an expert, Mark Stallings of Casely, shared four essential practices that can save users from unnecessary pain.

Proper hygiene

The first step to avoiding infections of any kind starts with regular cleaning and proper hygiene, the corners of the AirPod buds act as a perfect breeding ground for bacteria from wax, sweat and even dirt that can lead to infections in the ear canal. such as otitis externa.

Simply using a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to wipe your AirPods after each use, along with weekly deep cleaning using a cloth lightly dampened with water or 70% isopropyl alcohol, can help protect users from infection , as recommended by Mark. He also stressed that the silicone tips should be removed and cleaned separately from the rest of the bud, with users urged to make sure the tips are completely dry before reattaching them.

Optimal fit

Irritation from AirPods can be due to ill-fitting buds, leading to discomfort and abrasion in the ear canal, while users also experience less-than-optimal sound quality. Silicone tips of different sizes can provide the perfect solution for this, and Mark advised users to hold the AirPods stem downwards.

It may be necessary to adjust the AirPods throughout the day, even with the most secure fit, but this can also help avoid irritation, maintaining comfort throughout the day.

Volume control

Listening with AirPods at high volume is a well-known problem and can cause permanent consequences such as hearing damage. The World Health Organization recommends the 60/60 rule for frequent AirPods users.

This limits users to a maximum volume of 60 percent for no more than 60 minutes at a time for safe listening. Additionally, using any noise canceling features on your buds can reduce the need for high volumes in noisy environments, and users can also set a maximum volume limit to avoid accidentally turning up songs too high.

Regular breaks

Users should take regular breaks from AirPods to prevent fatigue, ideally taking a break of five to 10 minutes after 60 minutes of continuous use. That doesn’t mean listeners need to stay silent, though, as the expert also advised alternating between in-ear and over-ear headphones.