Why Should We Switch Back To Wired Headphones/Earphones?

Usb-C EarPods Costs 1,190 PHP as of May 2024

Here's an excerpt with my convo to a fellow AppleFanboi when it comes to switching back from Noise Cancellation Airpods to Apple's USB-C EarPods.

Myself: I recently bought a wired EarPods from Apple, the USB-C Type. I saw a vid from X kase na noise cancellation wireless EarPods is like bathing in EMF which eventually damages brain tissues.

Him: Are you friggin serious?!!! Ancient Technology na yang Wired Headphones ah.

Myself: (chuckling) natawa naman ako sa description mo! Ancient Technology talaga? Wow Ha, pero seryoso nga!, nakakadamage daw ng brain cells ang palaging nakababad sa wireless headsets tulad ng Airpods mo na Version 2. 

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Is it worth switching to wired earphones from the wireless, noise cancelling AirPods?

While browsing X last week, I came across this shortclip showcasing the effects of wireless earphones, airpods, other noise cancelling earphones. It was claimed that EMFs based on 15,000 studies causes DNA damage to the brain and the human body. It was even suggested that when walking with your cellphone in your pocket, put it on airplane mode because it damages the human sperm. That when exposed to EMFs, it gets DNA breaks and impacts lesser mortality.

There is this so called EMF (Electromagnetic Fields). Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are areas of energy that surround electrical devices. EMFs are produced by both natural and human-made sources. There are two types of EMFs: low-frequency EMFs (non-ionizing) and high-frequency EMFs (ionizing).

1. Low-frequency EMFs:

   • Sources: Household appliances, power lines, mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers, computers, and other electronic devices.
   • Characteristics: These fields are non-ionizing, meaning they don't carry enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms or molecules. Examples include extremely low frequency (ELF) fields and radiofrequency (RF) fields.

2. High-frequency EMFs:

   • Sources: X-rays, gamma rays, and certain medical imaging devices.
   • Characteristics: These fields are ionizing and can remove electrons from atoms, potentially causing damage to biological tissues.

Let's deep dive its effect to the brain.

The effects of low-frequency EMFs, such as those from mobile phones and Wi-Fi, on the human brain have been the subject of extensive research. Here are some key points:

• Short-term effects:

  • Thermal Effects: Prolonged exposure to high levels of RF EMFs can cause tissue heating. However, the levels of EMFs from everyday devices are typically too low to cause significant heating effects.
  • Neurophysiological Effects: Some studies have suggested that exposure to RF fields from mobile phones can affect brain activity, including changes in brain wave patterns. However, these effects are usually small and transient, and their biological significance is unclear.

• Long-term effects:

  • Cancer Risk: The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified RF EMFs as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B) based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, associated with wireless phone use. However, the evidence is limited and more research is needed to draw firm conclusions.
  • Cognitive and Behavioral Effects: There is ongoing research into whether long-term exposure to EMFs from mobile phones and other devices affects cognitive function, memory, and behavior. The results have been mixed, with some studies suggesting possible effects and others finding no significant impact.

Now that we learnt the effects of low-frequency EMFs, let's contrast it this time with the high-frequency EMF effects on the brain.

• Ionizing Radiation: High-frequency EMFs, such as X-rays and gamma rays, have enough energy to ionize atoms and molecules and can cause significant damage to biological tissues, including the brain. Prolonged or high levels of exposure to ionizing radiation are known to increase the risk of cancer, including brain cancer.

EarPods Wear

That's what I'm talking about! Who wants to grab a cancer-inducing earphones? Definitely not me! In conclusion though, I do still use my AirPods Gen1... and mainly to take advantage of its noise cancelling properties whenever I'm in a noisy and deafening surroundings.

In summary, let's answer the question earlier - is it worth switching to Ancient Technology (echoing my friend's sarcastic remarks) like the wired EarPods? For me YES! it's worth it, to take care of your hearing health and keep our brain cells away from the gradual and slow damage brought by EMFs. 

On a slight brake, I would still use my Airpods..., though at minimum, and less frequent usage like walks or short runs around the park!

Thanks for reading, until next post!

--Othello

fact-checked and researched via Soundwave, ChatGPT, and NPR's TED Radio Hour