Study of the effect of mobile phones on hearing
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20210688Keywords:
Mobile, Radiation, Hearing, DeafnessAbstract
Background: 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.
Methods: 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
Results: 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.
Conclusions: The present study shows an increase in the hearing threshold of the ear exposed to the prolonged use of mobile phones.
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