It hurts to eavesdrop: students are more likely to end up in hospitals because of micro-headphones

Russian students have started going to hospitals more often because of micro-headphones stuck in their ears. The tiny devices help to cheat on exams - however, young people are not always able to remove them. "Izvestia" found out how dangerous micro-headphones are, whether they can lead to hearing loss, and what legal consequences can occur in case of their use.

Increase in appeals

The surge of appeals to doctors because of micro-headphones was recorded in Yaroslavl, reported in the regional hospital named after N.V. Solovyov. They explained that specialists receive patients with diseases and injuries of the ENT organs around the clock, providing them with emergency care. Often doctors have to remove foreign bodies that have found themselves in the ear canal.

"In the last two years, there has been a distinct increase in the number of students of secondary and higher educational institutions who have applied with micro-headphones stuck in the ear. If last year there were more than 20 such patients, for two weeks of this year - already six," - stated in the message.

One of the students who suffered because of the micro-headphones, told REN TV that she bought them on the marketplace to wear them during the exam. But the girl could not get the device on her own, she had to go to the trauma center.

"I didn't know what to do, I got hysterical. But the trauma center said that this is a frequent case. The earpiece was taken out quickly, but it was very painful. By the way, at the exam he passed out, I had to pass it myself," - shared the student.

Similar situations with students who went to the hospital with stuck headphones occurred in other regions. For example, in Krasnoyarsk in 2018, three young people were affected. The doctor who treated them noted that this usually happens during the winter and summer session: he said that often the items are taken out easily, but in severe cases, surgery may even be needed.

What are micro-headphones

Micro-headphones are small wireless devices that are inserted deep into the ear canal. The headset for them is hidden under clothing, so a person can discreetly both receive and transmit any information.

Initially, micro-headphones were conceived as hearing aids, but eventually became used in different spheres. They can be used, for example, by theater and movie actors, TV presenters, politicians, speakers at conferences. Recently, such devices have gained popularity among schoolchildren and students - headphones are on open sale in online stores and on marketplaces. The cost varies from 500 to 6.5 thousand rubles, in addition, the devices can be rented on the marketplace - it will cost only from 390 rubles.

In one of the stores selling headphones, told that the headphones come in two types: magnetic and capsule. The first are a small magnetic ball or washer (2-4 mm), which is delivered deep into the ear with a special wand and attached directly to the eardrum. It is also removed with the help of a wand - there is a magnet on the other side of the wand.

The second type of earphone fits in the ear canal, repeating its shape. The length of this earpiece is about 4-10 mm, it works from a microbattery, which lasts for two to three hours. The device is removed with the help of a fishing line attached to its back part.

"The instructions are easy, even a teenager can cope, but you need to understand that the use of magnets is not entirely safe, because there is a possibility that if there is a wax plug in the ear, for example, the earpiece can get stuck. And you will have to go to the lor for washing", - explained REN TV store employee, adding that it is safe to wear such headphones can be up to a few hours - then a person can get a headache.

Harm of micro-headphones

Stories about people who have suffered from micro-headphones rarely get into the media, but doctors meet with such situations regularly, says Natalia Gridneva, an otorhinolaryngologist at the Federal Research Center of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia. Most often it happens due to incorrect model selection, prolonged use or careless handling.

As Igor Manevich, an otorhinolaryngologist at JSC "Medicine" (Clinic of Academician Roitberg), explains, the appearance of these headphones often includes a small metal "pea" to which a magnetic handle for extraction is attached. However, this system often doesn't work as it should, especially if a person has different ear canal anatomy.

- The ear canal is not straight, but has features that can make it difficult to remove the earpiece. In the case of a severely curved ear canal, the magnetic handle may not work and it becomes impossible to remove the earpiece. This creates additional difficulties for doctors, as the tool to remove the earpiece cannot always be inserted and the device itself is not easily visible," says the doctor.

Particularly at risk are users of cheap micro-earphones, which do not have a secure fit and can penetrate deeper into the ear canal with head movements. Sometimes patients do not immediately realize that the earpiece is stuck and hope that the device will fall out on its own. But this can lead to more serious consequences.

- Getting a micro-earpiece stuck is not just an unpleasant situation, but also a potential threat. First, the device can completely block the external ear canal, causing temporary hearing loss, ear stuffiness, ear noise or dizziness. Second, prolonged exposure to a foreign object can lead to inflammation. And when trying to remove it, there is a risk of damaging the eardrum," says Natalia Gridnevayu.

Attempts to remove the earpiece with the help of improvised means, such as cotton swabs, tweezers or matches, often lead to an aggravation of the problem - the device is pushed even deeper, making its removal more difficult.

- The safest way is to gently tilt your head toward the stuck earpiece and gently shake it. However, if it does not fall out, you should not risk it - you should immediately consult a doctor. He with the help of special tools under video control will be able to remove the earpiece and assess the possible damage, - says otorhinolaryngologist FNAC FMBA Russia.

Even if the device was removed independently, after such an incident it is important to check the condition of the ear canal, especially if unpleasant sensations persist or hearing has deteriorated.

Legal aspect

According to lawyer Sean Betrozov in a conversation with Izvestia, the legal status of micro-headphones in Russia is still ambiguous. Legislation does not prohibit their production and sale, as they are classified as technical gadgets. However, their use in certain situations can have serious consequences.

- For example, their use at exams violates the internal rules of educational institutions. In such cases, removal from the exam, annulment of results or even expulsion may follow. This is especially true for professional certifications and state examinations, where the price of a mistake is much higher," the lawyer notes.

According to him, questions about possible liability for the use of micro-headphones are also raised in law enforcement practice. If they are used to distort the results of an exam or falsify data, it may be qualified as an administrative or criminal offense. Such situations require more in-depth investigation to determine the extent of damage and the guilty parties.

The sale and advertising of micro-headphones is also a controversial issue. While the devices themselves are legal, if the seller actively promotes their use for violations, this could be considered aiding and abetting.

- For example, providing instructions for use in exams or advertising a device in this context can lead to liability. Such cases, although rare, can set precedents," explains the Izvestia interlocutor.

According to the lawyer, micro-headphones have become a kind of a symbol of the collision between technology and traditional control systems. Their use raises both technical and moral issues.

- In order to solve this problem, comprehensive regulation is needed, including both legal measures and improvement of educational standards. Such an approach will not only reduce risks, but also make testing systems more fair," concludes Sean Betrozov.