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Effects of GSM-like radiofrequency on distortion product otoacoustic emissions in pregnant adult rabbits.

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Budak GG, Muluk NB, Oztürk GG, Budak B, Apan A, Seyhan N, Sanli C. · 2009

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Cell phone radiation damaged inner ear function in rabbits after just one week of 15-minute daily exposures.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed pregnant and non-pregnant rabbits to cell phone radiation (1800 MHz GSM) for 15 minutes daily over a week, then measured their inner ear function using sensitive hearing tests. They found that non-pregnant rabbits showed significant decreases in cochlear function (the part of the ear that converts sound to nerve signals), while pregnant rabbits were largely protected from these effects. This suggests cell phone radiation can damage hearing mechanisms, but pregnancy hormones may offer some protection.

Why This Matters

This study adds to growing evidence that radiofrequency radiation from cell phones can damage delicate sensory organs like the inner ear. The finding that non-pregnant rabbits showed measurable cochlear dysfunction after just one week of brief daily exposures is particularly concerning, given that many people hold phones directly against their ears for hours each day. The apparent protective effect in pregnant rabbits, while intriguing, doesn't diminish the core finding of auditory damage in the exposed group. What this means for you: your daily phone use may be gradually affecting your hearing in ways that won't become apparent until years later. The researchers themselves concluded with recommendations to prevent potential hazardous effects in humans, acknowledging the relevance of their animal findings to human health.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1.80 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1.80 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 1800 MHz Duration: 15 min daily for 7 days

Study Details

To determine the effects of 1800 MHz GSM-like Radiofrequency (RFR) on the cochlear functions of pregnant adult rabbits by Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAEs).

Eighteen 13-month-old pregnant and eighteen 13-month-old non-pregnant New Zealand White rabbits were...

In all pregnant groups except 2.0 kHz, DPOAE amplitudes were not different in Group 2 and Group1. In...

GSM-like RFR caused decreases in DPOAE amplitudes mainly in non-pregnant adult rabbits. Prolonged exposure may affect the DPOAE amplitude. Recommendations are given to prevent the potential hazardous effects of RF in humans.

Cite This Study
Budak GG, Muluk NB, Oztürk GG, Budak B, Apan A, Seyhan N, Sanli C. (2009). Effects of GSM-like radiofrequency on distortion product otoacoustic emissions in pregnant adult rabbits. Clin Invest Med. 32(2):E112-116, 2009.
Show BibTeX
@article{gg_2009_effects_of_gsmlike_radiofrequency_1931,
  author = {Budak GG and Muluk NB and Oztürk GG and Budak B and Apan A and Seyhan N and Sanli C.},
  title = {Effects of GSM-like radiofrequency on distortion product otoacoustic emissions in pregnant adult rabbits.},
  year = {2009},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19331799/},
}
PubMed: 19331799

Cited By (9 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Research shows 1800 MHz GSM radiation can damage inner ear function in rabbits. Non-pregnant rabbits exposed for 15 minutes daily showed significant decreases in cochlear function, the part of the ear that converts sound to nerve signals. This suggests cell phone radiation may harm hearing mechanisms.
Yes, pregnancy appears to offer protection. A 2009 study found that pregnant rabbits exposed to 1800 MHz cell phone radiation showed minimal inner ear damage compared to non-pregnant rabbits, which experienced significant cochlear function decreases. Pregnancy hormones may provide protective effects against EMF exposure.
Inner ear damage can occur with just 15 minutes of daily exposure over one week. Researchers found that this brief but repeated exposure to 1800 MHz GSM radiation significantly reduced cochlear function in non-pregnant rabbits, suggesting even short daily exposures may accumulate harmful effects.
GSM radiation particularly impacts mid to higher frequencies. The study found the most significant hearing damage at 1.0-4.0 kHz frequencies, with the greatest effects at 4.0 kHz where cochlear function dropped from 35.13 dB to 12.22 dB in non-pregnant rabbits exposed to 1800 MHz radiation.
Research suggests brief daily exposure may cause measurable inner ear damage. Rabbits exposed to 1800 MHz radiation for just 15 minutes daily over a week showed significant decreases in cochlear function. While permanence wasn't tested, the findings indicate potential cumulative hearing risks from regular phone use.