It is not every day that we get to hear people who have got eardrum cancer or other hearing related diseases or that they have been hit by a car just because they were wearing headphones and they did not know the effects of their actions. Headphones are hearing aids that come in various designs and their purpose is to ensure that the user does not disturb the people around them. But nowadays, almost everyone uses headphones for different purposes, be it listening to music, watching movies or even listening to the radio.

But lovers of headphones need to stand warned that these gadgets can lead to hearing loss if not well used. This is because there is a volume which headphone users should not exceed since a loud volume damages the ear drum and other parts of the ear, according to doctors.

Headphones are also a distraction since most of the times when the volume is loud, the user does not get to listen to whatever is happening around him or her, which may lead to accidents.

"I did not hear the car coming towards my way, which is why I continued crossing the road without even looking right and left,” confesses Edith, who had an accident recently.

Although these cases are not yet very common, it is clear that there is need for headphone users to use them responsibly to prevent those accidents or other hearing related diseases.

Most gadgets have a volume control, so users should be cautious for their own safety. Remember, prevention is better than cure.

By Ishimwe Olga, S.5 student, Gashora Girls Academy