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Symptoms & Sensitivity144 citations

Preliminary report: symptoms associated with mobile phone use.

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Hocking, B · 1998

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Early mobile phone users reported burning sensations and head pain that resolved when they changed their phone usage patterns.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers surveyed 40 mobile phone users who experienced unusual symptoms like burning sensations and dull aches in their head and ears during or after phone calls. These symptoms typically started within minutes of use and lasted up to an hour afterward, with 75% of cases linked to digital phones. The study found that most people got relief by changing how they used their phones or switching to different devices.

Why This Matters

This 1998 study represents one of the earliest systematic attempts to document what we now recognize as electromagnetic hypersensitivity symptoms. What makes this research particularly significant is that it captured real-world experiences from diverse users before the wireless industry's massive expansion. The fact that 75% of cases involved digital phones, and that symptoms resolved when users modified their phone habits, suggests a clear exposure-response relationship. While this was a preliminary survey rather than a controlled study, it established important patterns that subsequent research has continued to explore. The reality is that millions of people worldwide now report similar symptoms, yet regulatory agencies still treat electromagnetic sensitivity as largely psychological rather than biological.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

A survey has been conducted to characterize the symptoms sometimes associated with mobile phone usage

A notice of interest in cases was placed in a major medical journal and this was publicized by the m...

Forty respondents from diverse occupations described unpleasant sensations such as a burning feeling...

Further work is needed to determine the range of effects, their mechanism and the possible implications for safety limits of RFR.

Cite This Study
Hocking, B (1998). Preliminary report: symptoms associated with mobile phone use. Occup Med (Lond);48(6):357-360, 1998.
Show BibTeX
@article{hocking_1998_preliminary_report_symptoms_associated_2196,
  author = {Hocking and B},
  title = {Preliminary report: symptoms associated with mobile phone use.},
  year = {1998},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10024730/},
}
PubMed: 10024730

Cited By (144 papers)

View all 144 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 1998 study found that 75% of people experiencing unusual phone symptoms used digital mobile phones. Users reported burning sensations and dull aches in their head and ears that started within minutes of calls and lasted up to an hour afterward.
Yes, the 1998 Hocking study found that mobile phone symptoms like burning sensations and head aches typically ceased within an hour after ending calls, though some symptoms could persist until evening. Most people found relief by changing their phone usage patterns.
According to a 1998 study, three respondents reported experiencing local symptoms specifically associated with wearing their mobile phone on their belts. The research documented various symptoms beyond just head and ear discomfort from phone proximity to the body.
Mobile phone symptoms often begin within minutes of starting a call, according to 1998 research on 40 phone users. However, symptoms could also develop later during the day, with burning sensations and dull aches typically affecting the head and ear areas.
Yes, the 1998 Hocking study specifically noted that mobile phone symptoms were different from ordinary headaches. Users experienced unique sensations like burning feelings and dull aches that didn't occur when using regular handsets, suggesting a distinct symptom pattern.