Leading audiologists from The Hearing Care Partnership conducted a study that revealed startling findings about the types of bacteria lurking on earphones, the research involved a professional swab test of a typical pair of used earphones
AirPods, and earphones in general, are a daily wearable item for many, but when was the last time you cleaned them? A recent alarming health warning has urged users to clean them regularly.
The study has revealed traces of harmful bacteria on AirPods that hadn’t been cleaned sufficiently by their owners. Leading audiologists from The Hearing Care Partnership conducted a study that revealed startling findings about the types of bacteria lurking on earphones according to Bristol Live. The research involved a professional swab test of a typical pair of used earphones, uncovering six types of bacteria that could be present if you don’t clean your earphones regularly. These include:
E. Coli
A common bacterium found in many household environments, E. Coli can cause food poisoning, with symptoms such as diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and occasionally fever. Around half of those infected may experience bloody diarrhoea. Symptoms typically begin three to four days after infection but can occur any time between 1 and 14 days later. The illness can last up to two weeks.
Staphylococcus Aureus
This pathogenic bacterium can lead to skin and respiratory infections, causing conditions like acne, folliculitis, and boils. Symptoms of a staph skin infection include a painful red lump or bump on the skin, hot, swollen, red skin, sores, crusts, or blisters, sore, red eyelids or eyes. Staph can also cause more serious infections, such as blood poisoning and toxic shock syndrome, though these are less common.
Bacillus Cereus
Typically found in soil and food, some variants of Bacillus Cereus can cause food poisoning. It’s often found in foods like rice, cereals, and spices, as well as milk and cream from cattle with teat infections. This bacterium produces spores that survive heat processing and grow rapidly at room temperature, producing toxins both in the food and after consumption.
Clostridium Perfringens
The third most common cause of food poisoning in the UK, this bacterium is often found on cooked food left out to cool for too long. It grows slowly below 15°C and produces a toxin that causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and nausea between 8 and 24 hours after infection.
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
Pseudomonas is a group of bacteria commonly found in the environment, such as in soil and water. P. Aeruginosa can cause infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia), and urinary tract, or following surgery. This bacterium is often found on cockroaches and their droppings and can easily be transferred to contaminated objects that aren’t cleaned properly.
Faecal Streptococci and Enterococci
These bacteria are usually found in human intestines, indicating faecal contamination on surfaces. Enterococci can be resistant to Vancomycin, an antibiotic. While you may carry the bacteria without symptoms, they can cause infections if they enter other parts of the body, such as wounds or the bloodstream.
How to Clean Your AirPods:
To help combat the bacteria found on earphones, experts at The Hearing Care Partnership have provided a step-by-step guide to cleaning your AirPods without causing damage. They advise starting by wiping them down with a clean, dry cloth. They added: “When cleaning your AirPods, ensure that you wipe them down with a clean, dry cloth as this is the most effective way to prevent oil build-up without causing any damage. Make sure you thoroughly clean all parts of the earpiece, including the outer surface and the handle as these are often the parts many neglect.
“If your AirPod has ended up in a grimy place, like the bottom of a bag or has collected dust over time and you want to disinfect them, clean the exterior with a non-abrasive disinfectant like sanitising wipes. Avoid direct contact with the speaker mesh when wiping, as leaving this area damp can not only cause damage to your AirPods but can become a breeding ground for bacteria.”
The experts then recommend gently cleaning the speaker mesh with a cotton bud. They said: “Applying too much pressure can push the dirt further into AirPods and cause damage to the speaker mesh itself. Using a dry cotton bud, gently remove the wax buildup from the speaker mesh in a circular motion until clean.”
They also suggest brushing away any dirt and debris with a soft-bristled brush and using a lightly damped cloth to remove any moisture. “Face the airpod down when brushing as this may help the wax or debris to fall away from the surface instead of back into the speaker mesh. Whether you’re at the gym or going about your daily activities, your AirPods are exposed to moisture and bodily fluids such as sweat or body lotion, which could cause your ear canal to become irritated and lead to an ear infection if not cleaned properly.”
