Analyzing the Potential Dangers of Gaming Headsets
Last year, over 300 million gaming headphones and headsets were sold worldwide. The year before, sales of wireless Bluetooth headphones exceeded their wired counterparts; for the first time, a milestone was reached by Bluetooth headphones. By next year, it is estimated that the sales of headphones will double due to the increasing demand.
Consumers are becoming cautious about using Bluetooth, even among the best gaming headset options on the market, however. They emit EMF radiation, which is a significant concern for most headphone enthusiasts, as we will discuss below.
Bluetooth is a radio frequency radiation that sends information such as audio, text, or video via air short devices. Wireless Bluetooth headphones have been categorized as a “Class 2” radiation emitter. Radio frequencies have all along been known to be low-energy radiation emitters, but recent studies show that radiofrequency radiation emitted by mobile devices can have biological effects. The effects of radiation emitted from cell phones range from DNA fragmentation to neurological damage.
Problems Related to EMF Exposure to the Head
The head is considered to be an ideal antenna that has conductive soft tissues and salty fluids. Body cells communicate via electrochemical signals, which can, at times, be interrupted by external electromagnetic fields. Below are a few health concerns related to EMF head exposure.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – ADHD may be caused by unscheduled calcium leakage into cells. The cells become hypersensitive due to the leakage, thus transmitting spurious signals. This heavily clouds regular mental activity and, in turn, triggers random thoughts. The person experiences a loss of concentration, typical among those who have ADHD. Children are the most susceptible, as their brains are in the developmental stage.
Biological Damage – Ion channels leak due to Bluetooth and cell phones, effectively damaging human cells. Cellular disruption in humans causes irreparable DNA damage, which increases the risk of cancer. With gaming headphones increasing exposure to the head, the blood-brain barrier will thin and weaken. The results cause neuronal damage.
Depression and Headaches – EMFs also activate voltage-gated calcium ion channels in the brain. These calcium channels help the brain with neural communication. Low-level exposure leads to headaches, as a recent animal study shows. VGCC also causes widespread neuropsychiatric effects. All these describe the onset of headaches, thanks to the use of headphones.
Tinnitus – A recent Brazilian study reveals cell phone radiation emission significantly triggers the worsening of tinnitus. For people who don’t know, this is the perception of noise in the ears (often a ringing sound). Twenty percent of the world’s population suffers from this ailment. It should be noted that tinnitus is not a condition, itself, but an underlying condition triggered by other factors. These factors include age-related hearing loss, circulatory system disorder, and ear injury.
Are There Alternatives to Wireless Headphones?
None of the above conditions are desirable and they make up only a sample of potential impacts of Bluetooth headsets on overall health. Wireless gaming headphones might be ideal for workouts, but they do put you at a higher risk, so it’s likely not worth it to forego a wired gaming headset.
The new and incredibly popular wireless AirPods from Apple are not as safe as you might think, for example. Using AirPods daily will increase the risk of experiencing adverse health effects. More standard Bluetooth headphones have wires running from one ear to the other and a transmitter located at the nape of the neck or on an earbud.
Bluetooth transmitters are the primary source of radiation emissions. These types of headphones will become harmful after a long period. Wireless earbuds that come with Bluetooth transmitters that sit directly in the year canal are the worst. The best way to stay safe is to go for traditional, wired headphones.
Traditional, wired headphones operate by being plugged into a signal source. Any sound coming from the source is immediately converted into electric signals. A proven way to stay safe is by using EMF-free air tube headphones; these place small speakers located against the ear and safely away from your head. They are a genuine alternative to other headphones that promote EMF exposure.
Bottom Line: Wireless Gaming Headset Safety
No matter the type of gaming headset you use, it’s best to watch out for health risks. Check for hazards that may be more immediate than radiation emission. Walking around with earbuds blasting while on the side of the road can be even more dangerous than radiation. You can ditch headphones altogether and start using speakers, if possible!
Resources— Defender Shield, Health.com, Headset Plus
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