• experimental
  
• epidemiological
  

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Epidemiological Study (cross-sectional study)

Audiologic disturbances in long-term mobile phone users. epidemiol.

PubMed Entry

Aim of study (according to author)
A cross-sectional study was conducted in India to assess the possible health effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic waves emitted from GSM mobile phones on auditory functions.
Background/further details:
All participants were taken up for several audiologic investigations including pure-tone audiometry, speech discrimination score, speech reception threshold, impedance audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE), auditory brainstem response (ABR) and middle latency response tests.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

• audiologic disturbances

Exposure

• digital mobile phone, GSM, TDMA
• type of exposure: personal
• assessment by interview (duration of mobile phone use)

Population
Study group: men and women, aged from 18 to 45 years
Group characteristics: random hospital visitors, attendants of patients, people who responded to a general notice about an awareness campaign regarding mobile phone use
Observation period: July 2005 - November 2006
Study location: India (Chandigarh)
Source of data: Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh
Exclusion criteria: history of ear discharge, previous hearing loss, ear surgery, ototoxic medication, prolonged noise exposure, head trauma; use of CDMA mobile phones

Further parameters acquired by interview (history of hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and aural fullness, general physical and ear examination)

Study size
number total	162

Statistical analysis using Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test

Results/conclusion (according to author)
There was no significant difference between users and non-users of mobile phones for any of the audiologic parameters. However, trends for audiologic disturbances were seen within the users. Risk factors could be age over 30 years, mobile phone use for more than 4 years and more than 60 min/day, presence of tinnitus or ear warmth during mobile phone use. The authors concluded that long-term and intensive mobile phone use may cause inner ear damage.

Limitations (according to author): The results should be interpreted with caution as a large sample size is required to reach definitive conclusions.

(Study character: epidemiological study, cross-sectional study)

• Hutter HP et al. (2010): Tinnitus and mobile phone use.
• Kwon MS et al. (2010): No effects of mobile phone use on cortical auditory change-detection in...
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