Study of the effect of mobile phones on hearing

Abstract

<p><strong>Background</strong>:<strong> </strong>The effect of mobile phone radiation on human health is the subject of recent interest and study as a result of the enormous increase in mobile phone usage throughout the world. The present study was designed with an objective to study the effect of mobile phones on hearing.</p><p><strong>Methods</strong>: This cross sectional study involved cases in the age group of 18 to 45 years attending the out-patient department of ENT at Chhatrapati Shivaji Subharti hospital, Meerut. A total of 85 patients (mobile phone users) were taken for the study October 2018 to July 2020. Subjects with usage of mobile phones (smart phones) for a minimum of 2 hours a day and a minimum of 1 year duration (with or without ear phones), normal healthy individuals with no systemic disease, normal tympanic membrane with no prior external, middle/inner ear disease or discharge or trauma and subjects with type a tympanogram (on tympanometry) were included in the study. Degree of deafness was graded according to WHO classification, 1980</p><p><strong>Results</strong>: Statistically significant p value was observed (<0.001) while comparing SNHL with hours of exposure and years of exposure. Statistically significant p value was observed (<0.05) while comparing hours of exposure with Tinnitus. Statistically insignificant p value was observed while comparing hours and years of exposure with other associated complaints; aural fullness, ear ache (otalgia) and warmth sensation in ear.</p><p><strong>Conclusions</strong>: The present study shows an increase in the hearing threshold of the ear exposed to the prolonged use of mobile phones.</p>