ID Number		1118
Study Type		Human / Provocation
Model		Effect of RF exposure, including mobile phone exposure, on hearing.
Details		Volunteers exposed to mobile phone (900 MHz GSM), occupational (4-8 MHz), or environmental (broadcast tower) RF examined for auditory response between 250 - 8000 Hz for both air and bone conduction. In an initial study, volunteers that were heavy (n = 20; ~2 hrs/day) light (n = 20; 10-20 min/day), or non- (n = 20) users were assessed. The authors report that in the heavy use group there was a significantly increased hearing threshold at 4000 Hz in the right ear and at 500 and 4000 Hz in the left ear. Since 13 men in the heavy use group used both ears, no laterality analysis could be performed. The authors recommend prudent use of mobile phones and precaution, limiting the time of use. A prior study also looked at occupational RF exposures from various sources and hearing. The authors conclude the hearing ability of RF exposed workers was lower than in control subjects at 4000 Hz and 8000 Hz (bone and air conduction of right and left ear), suggesting RF causes sensorineural hearing loss and affects the cochlea.
Findings		Effects
Status		Completed With Publication
Principal Investigator		Dicle University, Turkey - dasdag@dicle.edu.tr
Funding Agency		Private/Instit.
Country		TURKEY
References		Oktay, MF et al. Arch Med Res, (2004) 35:517-521 Oktay, MF et al. Electromagn Biol Med, (2006) 25:13-21 Akdag, M et al. Electromagn Biol Med., (2018) 37:66-75
Comments		In addition to excluding volunteers with disease and history of occupational RF exposure, the authors also excluded "[those exposed to] loud noise from devices such as CD players" and "those living near RF antennas". This should be just about everyone, as far as I can tell.