6,486 Studies Reviewed. 85.2% of Original Studies Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body

Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.

Brain & Nervous System

A study of the effects of cellular telephone microwave radiation on the auditory system in healthy men

No Effects Found

Mora R, Crippa B, Mora F, Dellepiane M · 2006

View Original Abstract
Share:

Short-term cell phone exposure showed no immediate hearing changes, but this doesn't address long-term cumulative effects from regular use.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Italian researchers tested whether cell phone radiation affects hearing by exposing 20 healthy men to phone signals (900-1,800 MHz) for 15-30 minutes while measuring their auditory responses. They found no changes in hearing function during or after exposure. This suggests short-term cell phone use doesn't immediately damage the auditory system.

Why This Matters

This study addresses an important question about whether cell phones might affect our hearing, given that we hold these devices directly against our ears for extended periods. The researchers used sophisticated hearing tests that can detect subtle changes in auditory function that wouldn't be noticeable in everyday use. However, this study has significant limitations that prevent us from drawing broad conclusions about cell phone safety. The sample size was small (just 20 people), the exposure time was brief (maximum 30 minutes), and most importantly, the study only looked at immediate effects. The reality is that most concerns about EMF health effects focus on long-term, cumulative exposure over months and years, not acute changes during a single phone call. What this means for you is that while your hearing likely won't change during individual phone calls, this research doesn't address whether years of regular cell phone use might gradually affect auditory health.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1.80 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1.80 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 900 to 1,800 MHz Duration: 15 to 30 minutes

Study Details

We conducted a study of the effects of mobile cellular telephone microwave radiation on the auditory system in 20 healthy men.

After the subjects underwent baseline measurements of transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) ...

Throughout the study, no significant changes in either measurement were noted.

We conclude that the use of cellular phones does not alter the auditory system in the short-term.

Cite This Study
Mora R, Crippa B, Mora F, Dellepiane M (2006). A study of the effects of cellular telephone microwave radiation on the auditory system in healthy men Ear Nose Throat J. 85(3):160, 162-163, 2006.
Show BibTeX
@article{r_2006_a_study_of_the_3257,
  author = {Mora R and Crippa B and Mora F and Dellepiane M},
  title = {A study of the effects of cellular telephone microwave radiation on the auditory system in healthy men},
  year = {2006},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16615597/},
}
PubMed: 16615597

Cited By (23 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

A 2006 Italian study found that 15-30 minutes of cell phone exposure (900-1,800 MHz) caused no changes in hearing function among 20 healthy men. The researchers measured auditory responses during and after exposure, concluding short-term cell phone use doesn't immediately damage the auditory system.
Research testing 900-1,800 MHz cell phone radiation on healthy men's auditory systems found no significant effects on hearing function. The study monitored participants during and after 15-30 minute exposures, showing these specific frequencies don't alter ear function in the short term.
A controlled study exposing 20 men to cell phone signals (900-1,800 MHz) directly found no changes in auditory system function during 15-30 minute sessions. This suggests brief phone conversations don't cause immediate hearing damage, though long-term effects weren't studied.
Italian researchers in 2006 found no auditory system changes when exposing healthy men to cell phone radiation for 15-30 minutes. The study by Mora and colleagues measured hearing responses throughout exposure periods, concluding cellular phones don't alter hearing function short-term.
Research testing up to 30 minutes of cell phone exposure (900-1,800 MHz) found no hearing function changes in healthy men. While this study suggests short conversations don't cause immediate auditory damage, it only examined brief exposures, not long-term daily use patterns.