Is My Child Using Headphones Too Loudly? A Parent’s Guide to Safe Listening Headphones have become part of everyday childhood. Children use them for tablets, music, gaming, schoolwork, online videos, audiobooks, long car journeys, flights, and quiet time at home. For parents, this raises an important question: could my child’s headphones be too loud? The concern is sensible. Exposure to loud sounds can affect hearing, especially when repeated over time. The risk is not just about one loud moment. It is also about how loud the sound is, how long the child listens, how often they listen, and whether they are trying to drown out background noise. Mr Gaurav Kumar, Consultant ENT Surgeon , assesses children with ear, hearing, and paediatric ENT concerns from London, East London, Brentwood, Romford, Ilford, Redbridge, Chelmsford, and the wider Essex area. This guide explains why safe listening matters, how parents can reduce risk, and when a child may need a hearing test or ENT review....
Cholesteatoma Surgery in London and Essex: What Patients Need to Know Persistent ear problems are often dismissed as “just infections.” However, in some cases, ongoing ear discharge or hearing loss may point to a more serious condition called cholesteatoma. Cholesteatoma is not a cancer, but it is a destructive growth of skin within the middle ear that can damage hearing and nearby structures if left untreated. Early assessment by an ENT specialist is important. This guide explains the symptoms, risks, and treatment options, including when surgery may be recommended. What is a cholesteatoma? A cholesteatoma is a collection of skin cells that builds up behind the eardrum. Over time, this trapped skin can grow and erode nearby bone, including the delicate hearing bones (ossicles). It often develops due to long-standing Eustachian tube dysfunction , repeated ear infections, or a retracted eardrum. Common symptoms of cholesteatoma Symptoms can develop gradually and ma...