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Effects of mobile GSM radiotelephone exposure on the auditory brainstem response (ABR).

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Kellenyi, L, Thuroczy, G, Faludy, B, Lenard, L · 1999

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Just 15 minutes of GSM phone radiation altered brain activity and caused 20-decibel hearing loss in high frequencies.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Hungarian researchers exposed human subjects to GSM cell phone radiation for 15 minutes and measured their auditory brainstem response (ABR), which reflects how well the brain processes sound signals. They found that radiation exposure increased brain activity in the auditory processing centers and caused a 20-decibel hearing loss in high frequencies from 2-10 kHz on the exposed side. This suggests that even brief cell phone use can temporarily alter brain function and hearing ability.

Why This Matters

This early study provides compelling evidence that GSM radiation can directly affect brain function within minutes of exposure. The auditory brainstem response measures electrical activity in the brain's sound processing centers, making this a direct neurological effect rather than just a peripheral hearing issue. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates measurable changes in both brain activity and hearing sensitivity after just 15 minutes of exposure - roughly equivalent to a typical phone call. The 20-decibel hearing loss in high frequencies is substantial and concerning, as these frequencies are critical for understanding speech and detecting environmental sounds. While this 1999 study predates smartphones and their much higher usage patterns, it establishes a clear biological basis for concern about RF radiation's effects on the nervous system. The reality is that today's users often exceed 15 minutes of daily phone use by orders of magnitude, raising questions about cumulative effects that this study couldn't address.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 2 kHz - 10 kHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 2 kHz - 10 kHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 2 KHz to 10 KHz Duration: 15 min

Study Details

The aim of this study is to investigate Effects of mobile GSM radiotelephone exposure on the auditory brainstem response (ABR).

A 15-min exposure to GSM phone radiation caused an increase in auditory brainstem response in the ex...

Cite This Study
Kellenyi, L, Thuroczy, G, Faludy, B, Lenard, L (1999). Effects of mobile GSM radiotelephone exposure on the auditory brainstem response (ABR). Neurobiology 7:79-81, 1999.
Show BibTeX
@article{kellenyi_1999_effects_of_mobile_gsm_2265,
  author = {Kellenyi and L and Thuroczy and G and Faludy and B and Lenard and L},
  title = {Effects of mobile GSM radiotelephone exposure on the auditory brainstem response (ABR).},
  year = {1999},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10746254/},
}
PubMed: 10746254

Cited By (64 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, Hungarian researchers found that just 15 minutes of GSM cell phone exposure caused a 20-decibel hearing loss in high frequencies (2-10 kHz) on the exposed side. This temporary hearing deficiency suggests even brief phone calls can impact your auditory system's ability to process sound.
Research shows GSM phone radiation increases auditory brainstem response activity on the exposed side after 15 minutes of exposure. The auditory brainstem response measures how well your brain processes sound signals, and this study found measurable changes in brain activity during sound processing.
The 1999 study found hearing deficiency specifically in the 2-10 kHz frequency range after GSM phone exposure. This high-frequency range is important for understanding speech and detecting environmental sounds, with subjects showing a 20-decibel reduction in hearing sensitivity.
Brain sound processing changes can occur within 15 minutes of GSM cell phone exposure, according to Hungarian research. The study measured immediate increases in auditory brainstem response activity, indicating that your brain's sound processing centers respond rapidly to radiofrequency radiation exposure.
The 1999 study documented hearing deficiency from GSM phone exposure but didn't specify duration of effects. While the research showed a 20-decibel hearing loss in high frequencies after 15 minutes of exposure, the study didn't follow subjects long-term to determine recovery time.