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Effects of exposure to 2100MHz GSM-like radiofrequency electromagnetic field on auditory system of rats.

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Çeliker M, Özgür A, Tümkaya L, Terzi S, Yılmaz M, Kalkan Y, Erdoğan E. · 2016

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Cell phone radiation caused brain cell death in hearing centers even when hearing tests remained normal.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rats to 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to 3G cell phone signals) for 30 days to study effects on hearing. While the rats' hearing tests showed no functional changes, microscopic examination revealed increased cell death and degeneration in the brain areas that process sound. This suggests that cell phone radiation may damage auditory neurons even before hearing loss becomes detectable.

Why This Matters

This study adds to growing evidence that radiofrequency radiation affects brain tissue even when functional tests appear normal. The researchers used 3.47 mW power levels, which is comparable to a cell phone during a call held close to the head. What makes this research particularly significant is that it detected cellular damage in auditory processing centers before any measurable hearing impairment occurred. This pattern mirrors what we've seen in other EMF research where biological effects precede clinically obvious symptoms. The finding of increased neuronal death (apoptosis) in the cochlear nuclei suggests that prolonged cell phone use may cause cumulative damage to hearing-related brain structures. While this was an animal study, the auditory system functions similarly across mammals, making these results relevant for understanding potential human health impacts.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 2.10 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 2.10 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 2100 MHz

Study Details

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of 2100MHz Global System for Mobile communication (GSM-like) electromagnetic field, generated by an electromagnetic fields generator, on the auditory system of rats by using electrophysiological, histopathologic and immunohistochemical methods.

Fourteen adult Wistar albino rats were included in the study. The rats were divided randomly into tw...

The Auditory Brainstem Responses records of the two groups did not differ significantly. The histopa...

The results support that long-term exposure to a GSM-like 2100MHz electromagnetic fields causes an increase in neuronal degeneration and apoptosis in the auditory system.

Cite This Study
Çeliker M, Özgür A, Tümkaya L, Terzi S, Yılmaz M, Kalkan Y, Erdoğan E. (2016). Effects of exposure to 2100MHz GSM-like radiofrequency electromagnetic field on auditory system of rats. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2016 Nov 5. pii: S1808-8694(16)30222-1. doi: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2016.10.004.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2016_effects_of_exposure_to_1960,
  author = {Çeliker M and Özgür A and Tümkaya L and Terzi S and Yılmaz M and Kalkan Y and Erdoğan E.},
  title = {Effects of exposure to 2100MHz GSM-like radiofrequency electromagnetic field on auditory system of rats.},
  year = {2016},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27865708/},
}
PubMed: 27865708

Cited By (23 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Research on rats exposed to 2100 MHz radiation (3G frequency) for 30 days found microscopic damage to auditory brain regions even when hearing tests remained normal. This suggests cell phone radiation may harm sound-processing neurons before detectable hearing loss occurs.
A 2016 study found that 30-day exposure to 2100 MHz radiation (3G frequency) significantly increased cell death in rats' auditory brain regions. Researchers observed increased apoptosis (programmed cell death) and neuronal degeneration in areas that process sound.
Research shows that 30 days of continuous exposure to 2100 MHz GSM-like radiation can cause measurable neuronal damage in auditory brain regions. The study found increased cell death and degeneration after this exposure period in laboratory rats.
Yes, a study exposing rats to 2100 MHz radiation found significant damage to brain areas that process sound. While hearing function appeared normal on tests, microscopic examination revealed increased neuronal degeneration and cell death in auditory processing regions.
Research indicates 2100 MHz radiation may harm the auditory system at the cellular level. A rat study found this frequency caused increased cell death and neuronal degeneration in brain regions responsible for processing sound after 30 days of exposure.