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High-Frequency Hearing Loss Amongst Smart Mobile Phone Users: A Case-Control Study

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Jha I, Alam MK, Kumar C, Sinha N, Kumar T · 2024

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Extended smartphone use (>5 years at >2 hours daily) was associated with delayed brainstem auditory evoked responses, particularly at higher frequencies (8 kHz), which the authors propose could enable early detection of central neural involvement through BERA testing.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This case-control study examined brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) responses in 60 human subjects divided into two groups based on smartphone exposure duration (1-5 years versus >5 years), with both groups using phones >2 hours daily. The study found delayed absolute latencies and interpeak latencies in BERA waves at 80 dB, with more pronounced effects at 8 kHz in the longer-exposure group, suggesting potential early detection of high-frequency hearing loss from mobile phone use.

Why This Matters

The study is noted as examining human subjects despite the organism field indicating 'rodent,' suggesting a potential data entry error. BERA is an established neurophysiological test for assessing auditory pathway function, though causation between mobile phone use and the observed latency changes cannot be definitively established from this case-control design alone.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Jha I, Alam MK, Kumar C, Sinha N, Kumar T (2024). High-Frequency Hearing Loss Amongst Smart Mobile Phone Users: A Case-Control Study.
Show BibTeX
@article{jha_i_alam_mk_kumar_c_sinha_n_kumar_t_ce3282,
  author = {Jha I and Alam MK and Kumar C and Sinha N and Kumar T},
  title = {High-Frequency Hearing Loss Amongst Smart Mobile Phone Users: A Case-Control Study},
  year = {2024},
  doi = {10.1186/s13578-023-01162-9},
  
}
DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01162-9PubMed: 39279174

Quick Questions About This Study

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