New research has found that headphones manufactured by popular brands contain a significant number of hazardous substances. 

ToxFree LIFE for All examined headphones made by Bose, Panasonic, Samsung and Sennheiser, all of which continued harmful chemicals in the plastics they used. 

On Moncrieff, consultant audiologist Sandra Cummings said she understands why many people reading that may feel alarmed. 

 “It's reasonable for listeners to feel worried when hearing terms such as toxic chemicals or cancer-causing products linked to cancer and daily use,” she said. 

“But detecting chemicals in plastic components does not mean that they're entering the body at harmful levels.

“Toxicology is dose-dependent; basically, at present, there's no evidence showing that normal headphone use results in measurable or clinical significant chemical absorption.” 

Dr Cummings added that people are regularly exposed to plastic on a daily basis without harm. 

“For most people, the larger exposure to plastics and indoor dust and drinking water and food packaging poses a more threat than would be headphones,” she said. 

“So, yes, there is no evidence that they may contain certain toxins, but there's no evidence that this has been transferred and absorbed by the human body.”

However, she added that is far more concerned about the link between headphones and hearing loss. 

“That is evidence-based,” she said. 

“So, we'd probably recommend listening and watching your listening levels and listening periods.” 

Main image: A woman using headphones. Picture by: Alamy.com.