Effects of GSM-like radiofrequency on distortion product otoacoustic emissions in pregnant adult rabbits.
Budak GG, Muluk NB, Oztürk GG, Budak B, Apan A, Seyhan N, Sanli C. · 2009
View Original AbstractCell phone radiation damaged inner ear function in rabbits after just one week of 15-minute daily exposures.
Plain English Summary
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
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.
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/},
}