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Maskey D et al, (August 2014) Alteration of glycine receptor immunoreactivity in the auditory brainstem of mice following three months of exposure to radiofrequency radiation at SAR 4.0 W/kg, Int J Mol Med. 2014 Aug;34(2):409-19. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2014.1784

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Authors not listed · 2014

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Three months of cell phone frequency radiation destroyed up to 37% of hearing-related brain receptors in mice.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed mice to cell phone radiation (835 MHz) at 4.0 W/kg for three months and found significant damage to glycine receptors in brain regions responsible for hearing. The exposed mice showed 10-37% fewer functioning receptors in key auditory areas and demonstrated measurable hearing problems. This suggests that chronic cell phone use may impair the brain's ability to process sounds properly.

Why This Matters

This study reveals a concerning mechanism by which cell phone radiation may damage our hearing system at the neurological level. The researchers found that 835 MHz radiation-well within the frequency range of modern cell phones-systematically destroyed glycine receptors throughout the auditory brainstem. These receptors are essential for processing and distinguishing sounds, and their loss directly correlated with measurable hearing dysfunction in the exposed animals. What makes this particularly relevant is that the exposure level (4.0 W/kg SAR) is within the range of real-world cell phone use, especially during calls when the device is held against the ear. The science demonstrates that our auditory system may be far more vulnerable to RF radiation than previously understood, with implications extending beyond simple hearing loss to complex sound processing disorders.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 835 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 835 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Unknown (2014). Maskey D et al, (August 2014) Alteration of glycine receptor immunoreactivity in the auditory brainstem of mice following three months of exposure to radiofrequency radiation at SAR 4.0 W/kg, Int J Mol Med. 2014 Aug;34(2):409-19. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2014.1784.
Show BibTeX
@article{maskey_d_et_al_august_2014_alteration_of_glycine_receptor_immunoreactivity_in_the_auditory_brainstem_of_mice_following_three_months_of_exposure_to_radiofrequency_radiation_at_sar_40_wkg_int_j_mol_med_ce643,
  author = {Unknown},
  title = {Maskey D et al, (August 2014) Alteration of glycine receptor immunoreactivity in the auditory brainstem of mice following three months of exposure to radiofrequency radiation at SAR 4.0 W/kg, Int J Mol Med. 2014 Aug;34(2):409-19. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2014.1784},
  year = {2014},
  doi = {10.3892/ijmm.2014.1784},
  
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, this study found that 835 MHz radiation at 4.0 W/kg SAR caused significant loss of glycine receptors in auditory brainstem regions, with some areas losing over 30% of functional receptors after three months of exposure.
The study used 4.0 W/kg SAR, which is within typical cell phone exposure ranges. This level caused measurable receptor loss and hearing dysfunction after three months of daily exposure in laboratory mice.
The lateral superior olivary nucleus showed the greatest loss at 36.85%, followed by the posteroventral cochlear nucleus at 32.79% and anteroventral cochlear nucleus at 31.09% compared to unexposed control mice.
Yes, auditory brainstem response testing revealed significant threshold elevation in RF-exposed mice, indicating actual hearing dysfunction that correlated with the observed receptor damage in auditory processing centers.
This study used three months of continuous exposure to demonstrate significant glycine receptor loss. The researchers noted this represents chronic exposure effects rather than acute damage from short-term use.