How do you clean earbuds and headphones? What could happen if you don't?

It's common nowadays to wear something in or over your ears to listen to music, a podcast or talk on the phone. Some people use them for hours on end every single day.

There's no school uniform for students at the University of Minnesota, but glance across the campus and you might think earbuds and headphones are required.

"Pretty much whenever I'm walking to class, by myself or at the gym," said student Emmett Schumacher, when asked how often he wears his earbuds.

"All the time, not gonna lie," said student Marissa Jaszewski.

Consistent usage with inconsistent cleaning.

"Not very often," said Schumacher, when asked how often he cleans them.

"Probably not as often as I should," added student Lilia Rothschild.

Kerry Witherell, an audiologist at the U, said people likely realize their