A Twitch streamer named Curtis, better known as Curtiss on the platform revealed a dent in his head caused by the extensive use of his gaming headset during a live stream of himself shaving his head for charity.
Curtis broadcasted a live video on June 3, where he shaved his head to collect funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. He was taken aback upon realizing that his prolonged use of headphones had reshaped his head.
He began his head shaving by saying, “The razor works great,” but he noticed an aperture on the top of his head within a few seconds. In shock, Curtis said, “I have a slit in there; this is where my headphones go !” His surprise only increased when he exclaimed, “I have a headphone slit in my head! What the f***?
“I always thought it was just my hair,” he commented further.
Curtis’s unexpected discovery soon became viral on social media, garnering over 42 million views on a video of his head indentation on Twitter.
Interestingly, Curtis was not alone in his experience. Other gamers shared similar stories, one tweeting, “Welcome to the club,” and pictures of two gamers with head indents.
Responses from other users ranged from concern to humour, with one user saying, “This just gave me a new fear,” and another jokingly adding, “We’ve all had a crevice like that at one point or another.”
Although initially surprised by the discovery, Curtis accepted his new head shape for the sake of the charity event. He told The Independent, “I was shocked when I first noticed the indent, but I found humour in the situation and was able to laugh.”
Curtis’s incident has since been humorously named “Brain Valley” by fellow Twitch streamers.
Curtis’s friend Matt first posted his video on Reddit, which helped spread awareness of his charity event. Curtis received lots of feedback since, with viewers noticing their indents to people offering their support for the fundraiser.
While the prolonged use of headphones can lead to temporary head indentations, it isn’t enough to cause permanent damage, according to Headphones. The pressure required for a minor skull fracture is around 135kg.
However, long-term use of headphones can lead to “headphone hair,” where hair is flattened due to constant pressure. The scalp and hair should gradually revert to their original shape.
To help speed up this process, users can massage the affected areas or take a hot shower. Regular breaks from headphone use are also recommended.
While the reshaping of the head is not a risk for gamers and streamers, they should be aware of the potential for hearing loss. The World Health Organization estimates that about 50% of people aged 12-35 are at risk of hearing loss from prolonged exposure to loud sounds, including headphones.
Today’s headphones and MP3 players can produce sounds of up to 120 decibels, the American Osteopathic Association reports. At this level, hearing loss can occur after just 75 minutes. To prevent this, keeping volume levels below 60% is suggested.
In the end, Curtis learned his head indent was temporary. “I’m not doing anything different to get rid of it now,” he added. “If my head indent can help raise more money for this charity, I’ll be happy to keep it until I grow some hair back.”
In the grand scheme, a temporary head indent from prolonged headphone use seems a small price to pay when it’s all in the spirit of charity. What’s more important is to remember to adjust volume levels to prevent potential hearing loss. Curtis’s story is a humorous and vital reminder of that. Who knows, his newfound ‘Brain Valley’ might become a trending symbol for headphone awareness and responsible gaming!
