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Brain & Nervous System

Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic fields on an auditory order threshold task

No Effects Found

Cinel C, Boldini A, Russo R, Fox E · 2007

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Forty minutes of mobile phone radiation showed no effect on hearing performance in this controlled study of 168 people.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers tested whether 40 minutes of mobile phone radiation affects hearing ability by having 168 people perform an auditory task while exposed to phone signals at two different power levels. The study found no significant changes in hearing performance during radiation exposure compared to sham (fake) exposure. This suggests that short-term mobile phone use doesn't impair basic auditory processing abilities.

Why This Matters

This study provides reassuring evidence that acute mobile phone exposure doesn't impair auditory function, at least for the specific hearing task tested. The researchers used SAR levels of 1.4 and 11.2 W/kg - with the higher level significantly exceeding typical phone emissions, which usually stay below 2 W/kg. What makes this research particularly valuable is its robust methodology, testing 168 participants with both real and sham exposures to control for placebo effects. However, this single study examines just one aspect of auditory function over a relatively short timeframe. The reality is that we need more research examining longer-term exposures and other aspects of hearing health, especially given that some studies have suggested potential links between heavy mobile phone use and hearing changes.

Exposure Details

SAR
1.4 and 11.2 W/kg
Source/Device
888 MHz mobile phones
Exposure Duration
continuous for 40 min

Exposure Context

This study used 1.4 and 11.2 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 1.4 and 11.2 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 1 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 888 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 888 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

To study the effect of acute exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields generated by mobile phones on an auditory threshold task

168 participants performed the task while exposed to RF EMF in one testing session (either global sy...

No significant effect of exposure to RF EMF was detected, suggesting that acute exposure to RF EMFs ...

Cite This Study
Cinel C, Boldini A, Russo R, Fox E (2007). Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic fields on an auditory order threshold task Bioelectromagnetics. 28(6):493-496, 2007.
Show BibTeX
@article{c_2007_effects_of_mobile_phone_2740,
  author = {Cinel C and Boldini A and Russo R and Fox E},
  title = {Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic fields on an auditory order threshold task},
  year = {2007},
  doi = {10.1002/bem.20321},
  url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.20321},
}
DOI: 10.1002/bem.20321

Cited By (20 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

A 2007 study found no evidence that cell phone radiation impairs hearing ability. Researchers exposed 168 people to mobile phone signals for 40 minutes while testing their auditory processing skills, and found no significant changes in hearing performance compared to fake exposure.
Research suggests mobile phone use doesn't damage short-term auditory processing. A controlled study testing 168 participants found that 40 minutes of exposure to 888 MHz phone radiation produced no significant effects on hearing-related brain functions during the exposure period.
Current evidence doesn't support concerns about cell phone EMF causing immediate hearing problems. A 2007 study specifically testing auditory abilities during phone radiation exposure found no significant impairment in hearing performance, suggesting short-term use doesn't affect basic hearing functions.
Studies examining immediate hearing risks from phone radiation have found no significant effects. Research testing people's auditory abilities while exposed to mobile phone electromagnetic fields for 40 minutes detected no changes in hearing performance compared to control conditions.
Cell phone radiation doesn't appear to impact brain hearing processes in the short term. A study measuring auditory processing abilities during 40 minutes of mobile phone EMF exposure found no significant changes, suggesting these electromagnetic fields don't immediately affect hearing-related brain functions.