Association of tinnitus and electromagnetic hypersensitivity: hints for a shared pathophysiology?
Landgrebe M, Frick U, Hauser S, Hajak G, Langguth B. · 2009
View Original AbstractPeople with electromagnetic hypersensitivity experience tinnitus at nearly three times the rate of controls, suggesting shared neurological pathways.
Plain English Summary
German researchers compared 89 people with electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) to 107 matched controls to examine connections between EMF sensitivity and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). They found that tinnitus occurred in 50.7% of EHS patients versus only 17.5% of controls - nearly three times higher. The researchers suggest both conditions may stem from an overactive brain stress network rather than direct EMF exposure effects.
Why This Matters
This study reveals a compelling connection between electromagnetic hypersensitivity and tinnitus that deserves attention from anyone experiencing unexplained ear ringing. The nearly three-fold increase in tinnitus among EHS patients suggests these conditions may share common biological pathways. What's particularly significant is that the researchers found no correlation with actual EMF exposure levels like cell phone use, pointing instead to underlying neurological sensitivity. This aligns with growing evidence that some individuals may be more susceptible to environmental stressors, including EMFs, due to heightened nervous system reactivity. While the study doesn't prove EMFs directly cause tinnitus, it does suggest that people experiencing electromagnetic sensitivity symptoms should pay attention to potential auditory effects and consider whether reducing EMF exposure might provide relief for both conditions.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
The aim of the study was to elucidate the relationship between EMF-exposure, electromagnetic hypersensitivity and tinnitus using a case-control design.
Tinnitus occurrence and tinnitus severity were assessed by questionnaires in 89 electromagnetic hype...
Tinnitus was significantly more frequent in the electromagnetic hypersensitive group (50.72% vs. 17....
Our data indicate that tinnitus is associated with subjective electromagnetic hypersensitivity. An individual vulnerability probably due to an over activated cortical distress network seems to be responsible for, both, electromagnetic hypersensitivity and tinnitus. Hence, therapeutic efforts should focus on treatment strategies (e.g. cognitive behavioral therapy) aiming at normalizing this dysfunctional distress network.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2009_association_of_tinnitus_and_2337,
author = {Landgrebe M and Frick U and Hauser S and Hajak G and Langguth B.},
title = {Association of tinnitus and electromagnetic hypersensitivity: hints for a shared pathophysiology?},
year = {2009},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19325894/},
}