Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-xbtfd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-17T16:17:28.418Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Effect of chronic exposure to cellular telephone electromagnetic fields on hearing in rats

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 November 2010

G Kayabasoglu ,
O S Sezen ,
G Eraslan ,
E Aydin ,
T Coskuner  and
S Unver
G Kayabasoglu
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department, Dr Lutfi Kirdar Kartal Research and Teaching Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
O S Sezen*
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department, Dr Lutfi Kirdar Kartal Research and Teaching Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
G Eraslan
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department, Fatsa State Hospital, Ordu, Turkey
E Aydin
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department, Hinis State Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey
T Coskuner
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department, Dr Lutfi Kirdar Kartal Research and Teaching Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
S Unver
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department, Dr Lutfi Kirdar Kartal Research and Teaching Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
*
Address for correspondence: Ozan Seymen Sezen, Altaycesme Mah Zuhal Sok Kayalarkent Sit F Blok D:9, Maltepe, Istanbul, Turkey Fax: +90 216 5755881 E-mail: ozansezen@yahoo.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

To study the effects of the electromagnetic field emitted by cellular telephones upon the inner ear of rats, using distortion product otoacoustic emissions.

Methods:

Forty Wistar Albino rats were used. Twenty newborn and 20 adult rats were divided into two groups of 10, one to participate in the study and one as a control. The rats were exposed to the electromagnetic field for 6 hours per day, for 30 consecutive days. Before and after the 30 day exposure period, distortion product otoacoustic emissions were measured in each group and a signal-to-noise ratio calculated, which was later used in statistical analysis.

Results:

For both the newborn and adult rat groups, there was no significant difference in distortion product otoacoustic emissions recorded before and after exposure to the cellular telephone electromagnetic field (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Exposure to the electromagnetic field emitted by cellular telephones, for 6 hours a day for 30 consecutive days, had no effect on the hearing of newborn or adult rats, at the outer ear, middle ear or cochlear level.

Keywords

Cellular PhoneElectromagnetic FieldsAdverse EffectOtoacoustic Emissions
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 125 , Issue 4 , April 2011 , pp. 348 - 353
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1International Telecommunication Union. Frequencies. Regulatory Publication Radio Regulations 2001;2:72–80Google Scholar
2Szentpali, B. Human exposure to electromagnetic fields from mobile phones. In: Proceedings of the 4th Conference on Telecommunications in Modern Satellite, Cable and Broadcasting Services ‘Telsiks'99’. 1999 Oct. 13–15, at the Faculty of Electronic Engineering, University of NIS, Yugoslavia, 1999;222–31Google Scholar
3Valberg, P, Van Deventer, TE, Repacholi, MH. Workgroup report: base stations and wireless networks – radiofrequency (RF) exposures and health consequences. Environ Health Perspect 2007;115:416–24CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4Uloziene, I, Uloza, V, Gradauskiene, E, Saferis, V. Assessment of potential effects of the electromagnetic fields of mobile phones on hearing. BMC Public Health 2005;19:39Google Scholar
5Leitgeb, N. Mobiles phones: are children at higher risk? Wien Med Wochenshr 2008;158:36–41CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6Burkhardt, M, Spinelli, Y, Kuster, N. Exposure setup to test effects of wireless communications system on the CNS. Health Phys 1997;73:770–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7Ozturan, O, Erdem, T, Miman, MC, Kalcioglu, MT, Oncel, S. Effects of the electromagnetic field of mobile telephones on hearing. Acta Otolaryngol 2002;122:289–93CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8Lonsburry-Martin, BL, Harris, FP, Stagner, BB, Hawkins, MD, Martin, GK. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions in humans. I Basic properties in normally hearing subjects. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol Suppl 1990;47:3–14.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9Health and electromagnetic fields. European Commission Community Research. In: http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_determinants/environment/EMF/brochure_en.pdf [18/01/2009]Google Scholar
10Otto, M, von Muhlendahl, KE. Electromagnetic fields (EMF): do they play a role in children's environmental health (CEH). Int J Hyg Environ Health 2007;210:635–44CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11Kızılay, A, Ozturan, O, Erdem, T, Kalcıoğlu, MT, Miman, MC. Effects of chronic exposure of electromagnetic fields from mobile phones on hearing in rats. Auris Nasus Larynx 2003;30:239–45CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12De Seze, R, Fabbro-Peray, P, Miro, L. GSM radiocellular telephones do not disturb the secretion antepituitary hormons in humans. Bioelectromagnetics 1998;19:271–83.0.CO;2-Z>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13Wilen, J, Sandström, M, Mild, KH. Subjective symptoms among mobile telephone users – a consequence of absorption of radiofrequency fields? Bioelectromagnetics 2003;24:152–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14McKinlay, AF. Possible health effects related to the use of radiotelephones. Radiol Prot Bull 1997;187:9–16Google Scholar
15Davidson, H, Lutman, M. Survey of mobile phone use and their chronic effects on the hearing of a student population. Int J Audiol 2007;46:113–18CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16Galloni, P, Parazzini, M, Piscitelli, M, Pinto, R, Lovisolo, G, Tognola, G et al. Electromagnetic fields from mobile phones do not affect the inner auditory system of Sprague-Dowley rats. Radiation Research 2005;164:798–804CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17Kundi, M, Mild, K, Hardell, L, Mattsson, MO. Mobile telephones and cancer. A review of epidemiological evidence. J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev 2004;7:351–84CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18Toyran, N. The effect of cellular phone on cancer: review [in Turkish]. Turkiye Klinikleri J Med Sci 2008;28:933–41Google Scholar
19Uziel, A. Non-genetic factors affecting hearing development. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl (Stockh) 1985;421:57–61CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20Repacholi, M. Health risks from the use of mobile phones. Toxicol Lett 2001;120:323–31CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21Mann, K, Wagner, P, Bruun, G, Hassan, F, Hiemke, C, Röschke, J. Effects of pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic fields on the neuroendocrine system. Neuroendocrinology 1998;67:139–44CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22Kemp, DT. Development in cochlear mechanics and techniques for noninvasive evaluation. Adv Audiol 1988;5:27–45Google Scholar
23Brown, AM, McDowell, B, Forge, A. Acoustic distortion products can be used to monitor the effects of chronic gentamicin treatment. Hear Res 1989;42:143–56CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
24Hotz, MA, Harris, FP, Probst, R. Otoacoustic emissions: an approach for monitoring aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity. Laryngoscope 1994;104:1130–4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
25Lafreniere, D, Smurzynski, J, Jung, MS, Leonard, G, Kim, DO. Otoacoustic emissions in full-term newborns at risk for hearing loss. Laryngoscope 1993;103:1334–41CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26Lonsbury-Martin, BL, Martin, GK. The clinical utility of distortion-product otoacoustic emissions. Ear Hear 1990;11:144–54CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
27Lonsbury-Martin, BL, Martin, GK, McCoy, MJ, Whitehead, ML. Otoacoustic emission testing in young children: middle-ear influences. Am J Otol 1994;15(suppl 1):13–20Google Scholar