ID Number		2290
Study Type		Human / Provocation
Model		Measurement of hearing functions in human subjects using mobile phones in Saudi Arabia.
Details		AUTHORS' ABSTRACT: Alsanosi et al. 2013 (IEEE #5233): OBJECTIVE: To assess the immediate consequences of 60 minutes exposure to mobile phones on hearing function by determining changes in distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) and hearing threshold levels (HTLs). METHODS: This prospective control clinical trial study was carried out at the Ear, Nose and Throat Department, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from July 2009 to July 2011. The data collected included age, symptoms experienced after exposure, and HTLs and DPOAE were recorded before, and immediately after 60 minutes of exposure to the same model of mobile phone. RESULTS: Heat/pain was the most commonly reported symptom. In the test-ears, significant shift (p<0.05) was noticed in HTLs at 1000 and 2000 Hz but not at other frequencies, while non test-ears did not reveal significant shift in HTLs. Additionally, test-ears revealed significant differences (p<0.05) in DPOAE at 1000 Hz, 1400 Hz, 2000 Hz, and at the average of all frequencies, while non test-ears did not show significant differences. CONCLUSION: Sixty minutes of close exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by a mobile phone had an immediate effect on HTL assessed by pure-tone audiogram and inner ear (assessed by DPOAE) in young human subjects. It also caused a number of other otologic symptoms. AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT: Al-Abduljawad 2008 (IEEE #6786): Background: There is a public concern of the health effects of the extensive use of mobile phone. Many studies were conducted producing controversial results. Very few studies were performed in the Middle East. Objective: To study the effects of the mobile phone on the hearing function of the users. Method: Forty-eight Students aged 18-23 years old were divided into three groups. They were investigated from September 2005 till October 2007. Group one 16 girls who have used mobile phones frequently and spoken approximately 3-4 hours per day for two years. Group two 16 girls who have used mobile phones for 1-2 hours per day for two years. Group three 16 girls who have never used mobile phones (control group). Medical history was obtained and pure tone was performed. Result: Examination showed that four students from group one had reported ear pain, headache, tinnitus, weddings noise, and party noise in the used ear and only one from group two suffered from tinnitus and headache. While two from group three suffered from tinnitus. Conclusion: Our findings, conducted on small number of individuals for limited period, showed that high degree of limited hearing loss might be associated with long-term use of the mobile phones. However, the possibility remains that there could be other health effects and that we need to conduct further study on larger number of individuals and for a longer period.
Findings		Effects
Status		Completed With Publication
Principal Investigator		King Saud University, Riyadh 11411, Saudi Arabia
Funding Agency		Saudi Arabia, College of Medicine Research Center
Country		SAUDI ARABIA
References		Alsanosi, AA et al. Saudi Med J. , (2013) 34:142-146 Al-Abduljawad, KA Bahrain Medical Bulletin., (2008) 30:72-74
Comments