Assessment of auditory conduction in mobile phone users: A pilot study

Abstract

Abstract Background Increased use of mobile phone in past few years has made it a subject of intensive research. Mobile phone emits pulsed high frequency electromagnetic radiations affecting central nervous system especially auditory system. In order to explore the effects of mobile phone usage, the present study was planned to evaluate the auditory conduction by means of auditory brainstem response (ABR), mid latency response (MLR), and slow vertex response (SVR) on exposure to mobile phones. Methods Ninety subjects with age group between 18 and 25 years with normal hearing were recruited for the study and divided into three groups. The recordings were done on computerized evoked potential recorder using the 10–20 system of electrode placement. Results No significant differences in latencies of ABR, MLR, and SVR was observed between subjects using mobile for less than 5 years (Group 1), subjects using mobile for more than 5 years (Group 2), and subjects who have not used mobile phone (Group 3). Conclusion Thus this study concludes that mobile phone does not have detrimental effects on auditory function of mobile phone users. However more studies are needed to substantiate the results.