Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of Bluetooth device electromagnetic field on hearing: pilot study med./bio.

By: Balachandran R, Prepageran N, Rahmat O, Zulkiflee AB, Hufaida KS

Published in: J Laryngol Otol 2012; 126 (4): 345-348

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the potential changes in hearing function as a consequence of using Bluetooth devices.

Background/further details

30 subjects (10 men, 20 women) were exposed to a Bluetooth headset device 1) in standby mode for 6 hours and 2) subsequently at full power for 10 minutes.

Endpoint

effects on auditory system (hearing function)

Exposure

- Bluetooth

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 2.4–2.5 GHz Exposure duration: continuous for 6 hours in standby mode then for 10 min in active mode at full power	-

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	2.4–2.5 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 6 hours in standby mode then for 10 min in active mode at full power

Exposure setup

Exposure source	Bluetooth headset device
Chamber	soundproof room
Setup	headset located on ear of participant's preference (18 on left ear, 12 on right ear); headset was paired with a mobile phone

Parameters

No parameters are specified for this exposure.

Exposed system:

human
partial body: subjects' preferred ear (left or right)

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on auditory system (hearing function: pure-tone audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emissions)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

before exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data did not show any statistically significant changes in hearing function following either exposure type. The authors conclude that exposure to the electromagnetic field emitted by a Bluetooth headset did not decrease hearing thresholds or alter distortion product otoacoustic emissions.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
pilot/exploratory/preliminary study

Study funded by

University of Malaya, Malaysia

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