Auditory changes in mobile users: is evidence forthcoming?
Panda NK, Modi R, Munjal S, Virk RS · 2011
View Original AbstractLong-term mobile phone use damages both inner ear function and brain hearing centers, with risk increasing after three years of regular use.
Plain English Summary
Researchers tested the hearing of 125 long-term mobile phone users (both GSM and CDMA networks) against 58 people who had never used mobile phones. They found that phone users had significantly more hearing damage in their inner ears and auditory processing centers in the brain, with the damage affecting both ears and worsening after three years of use.
Why This Matters
This study adds important evidence to growing concerns about mobile phone radiation's effects on our auditory system. The researchers found measurable hearing damage in both the cochlea (inner ear) and auditory cortex (brain's hearing center) among long-term users of both major network types. What makes this particularly significant is that the damage was bilateral, affecting both ears equally, which suggests the electromagnetic fields are impacting the entire auditory system rather than just the ear closest to the phone. The three-year threshold for increased risk aligns with other research showing cumulative effects from chronic EMF exposure. Put simply, your daily phone use may be gradually damaging your hearing in ways that standard hearing tests might not immediately detect.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
This study was undertaken to assess and compare potential changes in hearing function at the level of the inner ear and central auditory pathway due to chronic exposure to electromagnetic waves from both global system for mobile communications (GSM) and code division multiple access (CDMA) mobile phone usage.
One hundred twenty-five subjects who were long-term mobile phone users (more than 1 year; 63 GSM and...
GSM and CDMA users were found to be at a significantly higher risk of having DPOAE absent as compare...
Long-term and intensive GSM and CDMA mobile phone use may cause damage to cochlea as well as the auditory cortex.
Show BibTeX
@article{nk_2011_auditory_changes_in_mobile_2510,
author = {Panda NK and Modi R and Munjal S and Virk RS},
title = {Auditory changes in mobile users: is evidence forthcoming?},
year = {2011},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21493239/},
}