In a recent viral video, Indian comedian Kapil Sharma has inadvertently highlighted a potentially life-threatening mistake common among outdoor runners. The video shows Sharma jogging on a hilly road while wearing headphones, which drew concern from tech expert Rajiv Makhni. On Instagram, Makhni issued a public warning about the dangers of wearing active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones during outdoor activities.
Rajiv Makhni emphasized that ANC headphones, while excellent at blocking out ambient noise, could pose serious safety risks to runners by decreasing their situational awareness. “Kapil Sharma makes a big mistake! ANC Headphones can cause serious accidents!” Makhni wrote, advising runners against using such devices due to the inability to hear crucial environmental sounds like approaching vehicles or verbal alerts.
Fitness consultant Sadhna Singh from HereNow Official corroborated these concerns, explaining that wearing ANC headphones can severely limit a runner’s ability to react to real-time hazards. This includes missing important auditory cues such as cars, cyclists, or even potentially dangerous wildlife. Singh noted that the distraction caused by immersive audio could lead to increased risks of trips or falls on uneven terrain, as well as life-threatening accidents in high-traffic areas.
For those who prefer running with music or podcasts, Singh suggests alternatives like bone conduction headphones, which transmit sound through the cheekbones while keeping the ears open. Another option is using only one earbud, allowing one ear to remain aware of the surrounding environment. Many modern audio devices also offer ambient or transparency modes that allow external sounds to filter through while still playing audio.
Ultimately, Singh advises that finding a balance between entertainment and alertness is crucial to ensuring safety while running. This incident serves as a timely reminder for all fitness enthusiasts to prioritize safety over convenience and to remain aware of their surroundings, especially when exercising outdoors.
Instagram video of Rajiv Makhni: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJvcEfKzucf/?hl=en
