Medical/biological study (observational study)

Effects of intensive and moderate cellular phone use on hearing function med./bio.

By: Oktay MF, Dasdag S

Published in: Electromagn Biol Med 2006; 25 (1): 13-21

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of irradiation emitted by mobile phones on the hearing function of users.

Background/further details

Three groups were investigated: 1) 20 men who have used a mobile phone frequently and spoken approximately 2 h per day for four years; 2) 20 men who have used a mobile phone for 10-20 minutes per day for four years; and 3) 20 men who have never used a mobile phone (the control group).

Endpoint

hearing function

Exposure

- mobile communications
- mobile phone

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure, 10-20 min or 2 h/day, for 4 years	SAR: 0.82 W/kg maximum (0.6-0.82 W/kg)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	repeated daily exposure, 10-20 min or 2 h/day, for 4 years

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	0.82 W/kg	maximum	measured	-	0.6-0.82 W/kg

Measurement and calculation details

The SAR values stated here were provided by the manufacturers.

Exposed system:

human

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

hearing function/acuity (brainstem electric response audiometry (BERA); pure-tone audiometry)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The brainstem electric response audiometry data showed no differences between the two experimental groups and the control group.
The data of the pure-tone audiometry also revealed no differences between moderate mobile phone users (group 2) and control subjects. However, detection thresholds in those who talked approximately 2 h per day were found to be higher than those in either moderate users or control subjects.
The results show that a higher degree of hearing loss is associated with long-term exposure to electromagnetic field generated by mobile phones.

Study character:

medical/biological study
observational study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Commented articles

Meriç F et al. (1998): Do radiofrequency radiation affect the auditory system of of people with occupational exposure?

Bhagat S et al. (2016): Effects on auditory function of chronic exposure to electromagnetic fields from mobile phones
Gupta N et al. (2015): Effect of prolonged use of mobile phone on brainstem auditory evoked potentials
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Balachandran R et al. (2012): Effects of Bluetooth device electromagnetic field on hearing: pilot study
Panda NK et al. (2011): Auditory changes in mobile users: is evidence forthcoming?
Panda NK et al. (2010): Audiologic disturbances in long-term mobile phone users
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Janssen T et al. (2005): Investigation of potential effects of cellular phones on human auditory function by means of distortion product otoacoustic emissions
Oysu C et al. (2005): Effects of the acute exposure to the electromagnetic field of mobile phones on human auditory brainstem responses
Pau HW et al. (2005): Can electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones stimulate the vestibular organ?
Sievert U et al. (2004): [Biological effect of pulsed and continuous maximum-frequency (microwave) radiation on the inner ear]
Monnery PM et al. (2004): Is cochlear outer hair cell function affected by mobile telephone radiation?
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Kellenyi L et al. (1999): Effects of mobile GSM radiotelephone exposure on the auditory brainstem response (ABR)
Meriç F et al. (1998): Do radiofrequency radiation affect the auditory system of of people with occupational exposure?