Effects of the Electromagnetic Field of Mobile Telephones on Hearing

Abstract

The widespread use of mobile telephones has given rise to concern about the potential influences of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on human health. Anatomically, the ear is in close proximity to the mobile telephone during use. Hearing loss due to mobile telephone use has not been described in the medical literature; however, if there is a subtle cochlear involvement, it might be detected by means of changes in evoked otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). Thirty volunteers with normal hearing were exposed to mobile telephone EMFs for 10 min and evoked OAEs were measured before and after exposure. No measurable change in evoked OAEs was detected and none of the subjects reported a deterioration in hearing level. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the effects of EMFs emitted by mobile telephones on hearing. It was concluded that a 10-min exposure to the EMF emitted from a mobile telephone had no effect on hearing, at least at outer ear, middle ear and cochlear levels.

Telefones celulares: influência nos sistemas auditivo e vestibular

“…Notwithstanding the evidence, Ozturan et al (2002) 11 have recommended caution in mobile phone use to minimize exposure of the auditory system to microwaves. These authors have proposed that mobile phones Table 1.…”

“…7,[18][19][20][21]23,24 Various papers have suggested that exposure to mobile phone microwaves has no influence on the activity of cochlear outer hair cells or of cochlear nerve electrical conduction, both in vivo and in vitro. 8,11,15,25,26 Another point is that all of the studies on humans were carried out on normal-hearing volunteers. It is not know whether the cochlea of patients with inner ear conditions would be more sensitive to electromagnetic radiation.…”

“…1 The power of radio and television transmitters may reach many kilowatts; mobile phone base stations may reach over 100 W. 5,10 On the other hand, the power of mobile phone handsets and cordless phone base units is very low, respectively around 0.01-2 W and 0.09W. 5,10,11 For this reason mobile phones do not cause thermal effects on a user's organisms. It has been calculated that the temperature in the head increases by not more than 0.11oC5 while using a mobile phone, although a feeling of warmth may be felt in the ear during a telephone call.…”

“…2 Digital handsets (TDMA -time division multiple access, CDMA -code division multiple access, and GSM -Global System for Mobile Communications) expose a user's head to a SAR almost always below 1 W/kg, well below the recommended maximum safe exposure limits. 2,11 Radiological protection committees from various countries have tended to set the SAR tolerance limit at 10 W/ kg.15 It is important, however, to follow the manufacturer's recommendations, such as not touching the antenna or not allowing it to touch the head while using a handset.…”

Auditory Brainstem Responses and EMFs Generated by Mobile Phones

“…Cell phones transmit and receive microwave radiation at frequencies which excite rotation of water molecules and some organic molecules, associated with thermal effects and non-thermal effects. The thermal effects include: headache, sensation of warmth or burning around the ear, burning sensation on the facial skin and alteration of the blood-brain barrier [5].…”