Attention everyone.

Many individuals depend on noise-canceling headphones to block out distractions while working, commuting, or exercising. However, medical experts are increasingly cautioning that prolonged use of this technology to isolate oneself from the environment could be detrimental to brain health.

Several audiology departments within the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) have reported a rising number of young adults experiencing hearing issues. Upon investigation, they found that these challenges stem from neurological, not auditory, dysfunctions.

A significant number of these individuals are receiving diagnoses of auditory processing disorder (APD), a neurological condition that hinders the brain’s ability to interpret sounds.

Although individuals with APD can pass basic hearing assessments—indicating that their auditory function is normal—they often struggle to discern specific sound elements, such as determining the source of a noise.

These individuals may find it difficult to understand someone speaking in a noisy environment or may need extra time to respond in conversations. They often require repetition of information for better comprehension.

According to neurologist Martin Kutscher, M.D., the brain converts electrical signals into sounds, words, and meaningful sentences. “For most, this process is automatic. Yet, some adults face difficulties in interpreting these neural signals,” he explained to Additude. “These issues fall under central auditory processing disorders.”

Other symptoms of APD include challenges in retaining spoken instructions, difficulties in enjoying music, or struggles with language acquisition.

This condition typically appears in childhood, affecting about 2% to 7% of children, and can impact their reading and spelling abilities. In most cases, it arises due to medical issues such as head injuries, low birth weight, or recurrent ear infections. However, the rise in APD cases among young adults is a relatively recent phenomenon.

Claire Benton, vice president of the British Academy of Audiology, shared with the BBC that adults may “forget” how to process background noises due to the prevalent use of headphones.

“By using these headphones, you essentially create an artificial environment where you only hear what you choose. This leads to less effort in processing sound,” she stated.

Extensive noise cancellation may compel the brain to adapt excessively, according to David McAlpine, academic director at Macquarie University Hearing, potentially resulting in heightened sensitivity and what he terms “listening loss.”

“Experiencing listening loss is akin to altering your brain’s encoding mechanism,” he said to Quartz. “Even if you adjust what you hear, reverting to your previous state may not be possible.”

McAlpine also pointed out that technology companies have significantly influenced our listening patterns, monetizing them and presenting them back to us. “Their solution to hearing difficulties could be leading to a listening challenge,” he cautioned.

The fact that many young adults have been using headphones since their teenage years compounds the issue.

“The brain’s development of intricate, advanced listening skills generally completes in the late teenage years. Thus, if individuals have predominantly relied on noise-canceling headphones and lived in an artificial sound environment during these crucial years, their ability to process speech and background noise may be somewhat impaired,” Benton added.

Doctors emphasize the necessity for further research to understand the potential effects of noise-canceling headphones on the brain.

“What will the future hold if we don’t explore this connection?” queried audiologist Dr. Angela Alexander, owner of APD Support.

She is particularly concerned about the impact on children and their developing brains.

“Many well-intentioned parents and educators believe that having children use earplugs or noise-canceling headphones is the solution to their noise sensitivity issues,” she noted.

Currently, there is no cure for APD, and treatment often focuses on managing the environment. For instance, someone with APD might choose to sit closer to the speaker during meetings, request slower speech, or ask for written instructions. Speech therapy can also be beneficial.

While medical professionals have warned against listening to headphones at high volumes due to potential hearing damage, this new warning suggests that even moderate volumes can still inflict harm on one’s auditory processing abilities, albeit in a different manner.