8,700 Studies Reviewed. 87.0% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
Brain & Nervous System

Auditory brainstem response changes during exposure to GSM-900 radiation: an experimental study.

Bioeffects Seen

Kaprana AE, Chimona TS, Papadakis CE, Velegrakis SG, Vardiambasis IO, Adamidis G, Velegrakis GA. · 2011

View Original Abstract
Share:

Cell phone radiation disrupted auditory nerve function in rabbits within 15 minutes of exposure, showing measurable brain effects during typical call durations.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rabbits to cell phone radiation for one hour and measured brain activity that processes hearing. They found radiation significantly delayed nerve signals after just 15 minutes of exposure. Effects disappeared within 24 hours, showing cell phone radiation temporarily disrupts normal auditory brain function.

Why This Matters

This study provides measurable evidence that cell phone radiation can disrupt the electrical activity of the auditory brainstem, the neural pathway that processes sound signals. The researchers found effects beginning at just 15 minutes of exposure, which is shorter than many typical phone calls. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates real-time physiological changes during exposure, not just after-effects. The fact that changes were only detected on the side of the head exposed to radiation, and that function returned to normal within 24 hours, suggests a direct causal relationship rather than coincidence. While this was an animal study, the auditory brainstem response system is highly similar between rabbits and humans, making these findings relevant to human health concerns about cell phone use.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: GSM-900 Duration: 60 minutes

Study Details

The objective of the present study was to investigate the possible electrophysiological time-related changes in auditory pathway during mobile phone electromagnetic field exposure.

Thirty healthy rabbits were enrolled in an experimental study of exposure to GSM-900 radiation for 6...

The mean absolute latency of waves III–V showed a statistically significant delay (p < 0.05) after 6...

In conclusion, exposure to EMF emitted by mobile phones can affect the normal electrophysiological activity of the auditory system in rabbits. This effect becomes detectable by ABR recordings ipsilaterally to the side exposed to radiation.

Cite This Study
Kaprana AE, Chimona TS, Papadakis CE, Velegrakis SG, Vardiambasis IO, Adamidis G, Velegrakis GA. (2011). Auditory brainstem response changes during exposure to GSM-900 radiation: an experimental study. Audiol Neurootol. 16(4):270-276, 2011.
Show BibTeX
@article{ae_2011_auditory_brainstem_response_changes_1504,
  author = {Kaprana AE and Chimona TS and Papadakis CE and Velegrakis SG and Vardiambasis IO and Adamidis G and Velegrakis GA.},
  title = {Auditory brainstem response changes during exposure to GSM-900 radiation: an experimental study.},
  year = {2011},
  
  url = {https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/321337},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2011 study found that GSM 900 MHz radiation significantly delayed auditory brainstem responses in rabbits after just 15 minutes of exposure. The nerve signal delays became more pronounced with longer exposure times, indicating that cell phone radiation temporarily disrupts normal hearing-related brain function.
Research shows cell phone radiation can affect hearing nerve signals within 15 minutes of exposure. In the rabbit study, GSM 900 MHz radiation caused statistically significant delays in brainstem auditory responses, with effects becoming more pronounced after 30, 45, and 60 minutes of continuous exposure.
Yes, auditory brainstem response changes from phone radiation are reversible. The 2011 rabbit study found that all radiation-induced delays in hearing nerve signals returned to normal baseline levels within 24 hours after GSM 900 MHz exposure ended, indicating temporary rather than permanent effects.
Yes, cell phone radiation primarily affects the ear closer to the phone. The rabbit study found significant auditory brainstem response delays only in the ear exposed directly to GSM 900 MHz radiation, while the opposite ear showed no statistically significant changes during the same exposure period.
GSM 900 MHz exposure delays specific brainstem wave patterns, particularly waves III-V and interwave latencies I-III, I-V, and III-V. These delays indicate that cell phone radiation affects the normal electrical activity of the auditory system, following patterns typical of biological stress responses in rabbits.