Effect of Electromagnetic Radiation from Mobile Phones on Auditory Brainstem Response

Abstract

Effect of Electromagnetic Radiation from Mobile Phones on Auditory Brainstem Response Varshney S, Angral S, Aggarwal P et al. Effect of Electromagnetic Radiation from Mobile Phones on Auditory Brainstem Response. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg (2023). doi-org: 10.1007/s12070-022-03384-8. Abstract Mobile phones are being used by around 70% of the global population. A simple non-invasive procedure to detect early impairment of the acoustic nerve and auditory pathway is by auditory brainstem response (ABR). It’s a response to the sound stimulus generated from the brainstem in the form of electrical impulses. To determine the effect of long-term usage of mobile phones on auditory brainstem responses (ABRs). This Epidemiological, cross-sectional study was undertaken at a tertiary care hospital and includes 865 individuals aged between 18 to 45 years using mobile phone for > 2 years. Users were categorized into various groups according to the minutes of mobile usage per day, years of mobile usage and total duration of mobile phone use in dominant (mobile using) and non-Dominant (non-mobile using) ears. The changes in ABR were studied in each ear to ascertain the effect of EMF exposure due to chronic mobile phone use. Mean age of subjects was 27.01 years. (M: F = 1.57:1.0). Range of mobile phone usage was from 4 to 900 min/day, with mean as 85.94 min/day. No significant differences were seen between dominant and non-dominant ears in regard to amplitudes of wave I, III and V, latencies of wave I and V and Inter peak latency (IPL) of wave I–III, III–V and I–V. No statistically significant difference for I–III, III–V and I–V IPL were found b/w two groups/ears except for usage of mobile phone for > 180 min/day in wave I–V, usage for 0–4 years in wave I–III and I–V and net hours usage for > 1500 h in wave I–V. The mean IPL in all the waves increases with the increase in years of mobile usage and is maximum in all waves in > 12 years mobile users. The long-term exposure to EMF does induce measurable changes in ABRs. Amplitude and IPLs of ABR were found comparable between the dominant and non-dominant ears using mobile phones, except for those using mobile usage for > 180 min/day and with increasing years of usage of mobile phone. Therefore, prudent use of mobile phone should be encouraged for a shorter period of time and for essential purpose only. Conclusion Amplitude and inter wave latencies of ABR were found comparable between the dominant and non-dominant ears using mobile phones, except for maximum prolongation in IPL Wave I–III (m sec) and significant increase latencies in both ears on mobile usage of > 180 min and with increasing years of usage of mobile phone. The results of the present study may appear comforting in terms of the effects of mobile telephones on auditory pathway, this does not mean that the use of mobile phone should be encouraged. Individuals who use mobiles for longer duration (both daily and cumulative) are more prone for earlier otological disturbances as they are exposed to the EMRs to the maximum link.springer.com

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In 865 mobile phone users, most ABR amplitudes and latencies did not differ significantly between dominant (mobile-using) and non-dominant ears. Exceptions were reported for certain higher-use strata (e.g., >180 min/day and some categories of years/total hours), with increases/prolongation in some inter-peak latencies; mean IPLs increased with increasing years of use and were highest in >12-year users.

Outcomes measured

• Auditory brainstem response (ABR) amplitudes (waves I, III, V)
• ABR latencies (waves I, V)
• Inter-peak latency (IPL) I–III, III–V, I–V

Limitations

• Cross-sectional design (cannot establish causality)
• Exposure characterized by self-reported usage categories (minutes/day, years, total hours); no frequency or SAR reported
• Single-center tertiary care hospital sample; generalizability unclear
• Comparisons primarily between dominant vs non-dominant ears; potential confounding not described in abstract

Suggested hubs

• mobile-phones (0.9)
  Study evaluates chronic mobile phone EMF exposure and auditory brainstem response outcomes.

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    "study_type": "cross_sectional",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": ">2 years (participants); usage groups by minutes/day, years of use, and total hours"
    },
    "population": "Individuals aged 18–45 years using a mobile phone for >2 years (tertiary care hospital setting)",
    "sample_size": 865,
    "outcomes": [
        "Auditory brainstem response (ABR) amplitudes (waves I, III, V)",
        "ABR latencies (waves I, V)",
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    ],
    "main_findings": "In 865 mobile phone users, most ABR amplitudes and latencies did not differ significantly between dominant (mobile-using) and non-dominant ears. Exceptions were reported for certain higher-use strata (e.g., >180 min/day and some categories of years/total hours), with increases/prolongation in some inter-peak latencies; mean IPLs increased with increasing years of use and were highest in >12-year users.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Cross-sectional design (cannot establish causality)",
        "Exposure characterized by self-reported usage categories (minutes/day, years, total hours); no frequency or SAR reported",
        "Single-center tertiary care hospital sample; generalizability unclear",
        "Comparisons primarily between dominant vs non-dominant ears; potential confounding not described in abstract"
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    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
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        "electromagnetic radiation",
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        "RF exposure",
        "auditory brainstem response",
        "ABR",
        "inter-peak latency",
        "auditory pathway",
        "otological disturbances"
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