IPB University Doctor Affirms Bluetooth Earphones Are Safe, Main Risk Lies in Usage Patterns
Circulating claims that Bluetooth earphones are harmful to the brain due to radiation exposure have been clarified by a lecturer from the Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition at IPB University.
dr Widya Eka Nugraha, MSiMed, a lecturer in Biomedical Sciences, Cell and Molecular Biology, explained that from a medical perspective, there is currently no consistent scientific evidence showing that the use of bluetooth earphones damages the human brain.
“Not all radiation is harmful to the human body, because its impact depends on the type of radiation, the level of exposure, duration, and distance,” he stated.
dr Widya explained that Bluetooth devices emit radio waves or radio frequency (RF), which fall under non-ionizing radiation. This type of radiation differs from ionizing radiation such as X-rays or gamma rays, which are known to damage DNA at certain doses.
“With RF exposure, the biological mechanism involved is tissue heating (thermal effect). So far, Bluetooth devices available on the market comply with safety standards and do not produce significant effects on human body tissues,” he explained.
Furthermore, dr Widya cited a systematic review by Karipidis et al. (2024) regarding RF exposure and cancer risk, including brain tumors. The study concluded that exposure from mobile phone use is unlikely to increase the risk of brain cancer.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also stated since 2010 that research does not show consistent evidence of adverse health effects from RF exposure at levels below established safety limits.
Rather than radiation, dr Widya emphasized that more realistic health risks are associated with usage patterns. He identified hearing impairment due to excessive volume and prolonged duration as the most common risks encountered in clinical services.
In addition, there is a risk of outer ear infections if earphones are worn for extended periods in humid conditions, rarely cleaned, or shared between users.
He also highlighted the potential for reduced focus and safety risks when using earphones while driving or engaging in activities in public spaces, as users may lose awareness of their surroundings.
Musculoskeletal complaints and fatigue resulting from prolonged downward head posture and excessive screen time are also concerns.
Regarding a study by Zhou et al. (2024) that attempted to link Bluetooth headphone use with certain outcomes such as thyroid gland nodules, he noted that the study design makes it difficult to establish a causal relationship. Therefore, its findings should be interpreted with caution.
As preventive measures, he recommended using moderate volume levels, limiting duration with regular breaks, maintaining earphone hygiene, and prioritizing safety.
“If you experience ear pain, severe itching, discharge, persistent ringing (tinnitus), or hearing decline, stop using them temporarily and consult a doctor,” said dr Widya.
He also suggested considering bone conduction earphones in certain situations. (dr) (IAAS/KAL)
