Headphones may kill you

Music may be the rhythm of life, but headphones may throw that rhythm out of whack – if you happen to have a pacemaker…

Music may be the rhythm of life, but headphones may throw that rhythm out of whack – if you happen to have a pacemaker…

According to reports on news.com, researchers have discovered that the magnets inside headphones can cause interference in pacemakers and defibrillators if paced within 1.2 inches (3.04cm) of them.

The researchers carried out a study of eight different varieties of headphones, ranging from ear buds to headphones. The devices were tested in 60 patients (that had either a defibrillator or a pacemaker fitted).

25 percent of those tested experienced interference – the devices worked nornally once the headphones were removed.

“The main message here is: it’s fine for patients to use their headphones normally, meaning they can listen to music and keep the headphones in their ears. But what they should not do is put the headphones near their device,” said Dr Maisel who led the research program for Beth Israel Medical Center.

According to Maisel, the study showed that the magnetic field in the headphones could cause the pacemakers and defibrillators to malfunction – sending a signal to the heart regardless of heart rate.

Source: news.com