On social media and Telegram channels differs News that ordinary headphones may influence men’s sexual orientation. The source of this “sensational” story was a conservative American blogger who interpreted a scientific study by Dutch researchers in a particular way. We’ll explain what the researchers actually found and what “feminization” has to do with it.
Table of Contents
What happened?
On February 24, popular MAGA blogger Ian Miles Chong posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), and the post garnered more than 4.6 million views. In it, he claimed that Dutch scientists had allegedly proven that wearing headphones turns men gay.
Chong cited a study titled “The Sound of Contamination: A Comprehensive Analysis of Endocrine Disruptors and Hazardous Additives in Headphones”. According to him, the chemicals in earbuds mimic female hormones, leading to “feminization” and a change in sexual orientation.
So what did the scientists actually discover?
The study does indeed exist, and it is quite serious, but it concerns ecology and toxicology, not sexology. Scientists from the Netherlands analyzed 81 models of headphones sold in Europe for the presence of harmful substances in the plastic and ear cushions.
Here are the main findings of the original study:
- Endocrine disruptors and other hazardous additives were found in the materials used in the devices.
- Long-term exposure to these substances may lead to cancer, reproductive problems, and chronic diseases.
- The authors emphasize that the products do not pose an “immediate” danger, but they warn of the risks associated with long-term use.
Important: The study makes no mention whatsoever that headphones can change a person's sexual orientation or make them gay.
So where did this theory of “feminization” come from?
NeBloger took issue with the term "endocrine disruptors." These are chemicals that can mimic hormones (such as estrogen) or block them. Chong interpreted this as a process that literally transforms men into women on a biological level, and added his own conclusion about homosexuality.
On Russian-language Telegram channels (for example, "Axe +18") This theory has been supplemented with even more alarming details: allegedly, during exercise, when a person sweats, the process of “feminization” accelerates, and testosterone is “destroyed.” Lists of “dangerous” models are also being circulated there.
Which headphone models have been blacklisted?
Publications circulating on the Russian segment of the internet categorize headphones into several groups based on their level of “danger”:
- "The Most Dangerous": HyperX Cloud III, Razer Kraken V3.
- "Top Picks": Logitech G733 LIGHTSPEED, Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 4, Bose QuietComfort Headphones.
- "Moderate Risk": JBL Wave Beam, Marshall Motif II ANC, Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro, Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro.
The authors of these posts jokingly (or perhaps not) urge people to switch to speakers.
How are people reacting to this online?
Chong's post sparked a wave of sarcasm. X users began joking en masse that "We just realized our sexual orientation because of our old headphones," while others make fun of them "men who lack self-confidence"...who are seriously asking in the comments which brands they can use now to “stay natural.”
Despite the absurdity of the blogger's conclusions, the study itself raises an important issue regarding the safety of the materials used to manufacture electronic devices.
However, the link between the chemical composition of plastic and sexual orientation remains purely a figment of the imagination of internet influencers.
0 comments
Enter your email and we will send you a one-time code. No passwords or accounts.
Code sent to
If the email doesn't appear in your inbox within a few minutes, check your spam, junk, or promotions folder, as some email services may mistakenly place automated messages there