Wireless in-ear earphones, also commonly referred to as earbuds, are increasingly marketing their comfort, battery life, and ability to be worn throughout the day.

But these earphones, especially those that create a seal so that they don't fall out and keep out ambient noise, can create problems if you wear them too long and too often.

Here's a look at why you shouldn't wear earphones all day long...

Earbuds Can Increase the Risk of Swimmer's Ear

Swimmer's ear, also known as otitis externa, is an infection of the outer or the ear canal. The infection occurs when the lining of the ear canal or outer ear is compromised due to excessive moisture or skin trauma.

As eMedicineHealth notes, devices such as earphones and hearing aids that are inserted into your ear canal can increase the risk of swimmer's ear.

This is because they trap moisture in the ear canal, especially if you wear them during hot weather and exercise.

They Can Cause Ear Infections

If you're wearing your earphones all day every day, you may not be taking the proper measures to clean them in between using them.

Most people are fine only cleaning their earbuds on occasion or if they drop them somewhere dirty, like the floor. But if you use them daily for gym workouts and other activities without cleaning them and allowing them to air out properly, you run the risk of getting a bacterial infection.

This risk can also rise if you are a person who is prone to sleeping with earbuds in or you share your earphones with someone else.

If you use your earphones frequently but don't clean them, you should find the best way to disinfect them and remove any debris.

Earphones Can Cause Problems With Earwax

Some people produce more earwax than others—and this can become a problem if your ear is obstructed by earphones all day.

As researchers from Bond University note in The Conversation, excessive earphone usage can result in earwax becoming compressed and creating a blockage. The body need needs to expel earwax and this wax needs to also dry out properly.

Having a constant obstruction in your ear all day can create complications in this process. Blockages can cause pain, hearing issues, infections, and other issues.

Ear Acne

Another potential unpleasant side effect of wearing earphones all day, including headphones, is ear acne or pimples.

This is down to the increased sweating that can be caused by earphones, but also the earbuds themselves contributing to blocked pores or skin irritation.

While this is another area where keeping your devices clean helps, it doesn't remove the irritation caused by trapped sweat. Open-back earbuds give your ear more room to breathe, but still make contact with your skin and outer ear. So wearing them for prolonged periods every day could still cause issues, especially for people with more sensitive or oily skin.

Are Some Earphones Better For Long Usage?

If you have to use earphones daily for work or commuting, there are always drawbacks with particular form factors.

Over-ear headphones are generally better for breathability and don't directly touch the ear canal, reducing the risk of infection. However, they can cause neck strain if you wear a heavy headset for long periods. They also do not completely reduce the problem of trapping heat and moisture.

In-ear earphones are definitely more lightweight, less noticeable, and more convenient to travel around with. But their proximity to your ear canal poses risks.

The best things you can really do are keep your devices clean, not share them with others, and make sure to take sufficient breaks so that your ear can breathe. If you use a pair of earphones for gym, you should clean them after and allow your ears sufficient time to dry out before putting them back in.

The problem is not using earphones or headphones daily—rather, risks rise when they are used all day without efforts to clean them or give your ears a break.

Use Your Earphones Wisely

As more brands launch audio devices aimed at hybrid work and all-day usage, keep in mind that like with most other gadgets, your body usually needs a break.

Be aware of the risks of excessive earphone usage and make sure to keep your own pair of buds clean to reduce this risk.