Analysis of the Association of Mobile Phone Usage and Hearing Function in Young Adults

Abstract

Background: The health effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR), especially 4G and 5G, have been the subject of recent debate. The impact of this technology, particularly the nonthermal biological effects on humans and other animals has been largely ignored and not been comprehensively evaluated. Billions of people use this technology all over the globe today, and a significant percentage of them are in the adolescent age group. Therefore, a minor incidence of any adverse effect on health would be a major public health issue on a long-term basis.

Aim: The current study was designed to determine the association between long-, intermediate-, and/or short-term RF-EMR exposure from mobile phones on hearing ability in vulnerable populations like young adults.

Materials and methods: Seventy-eight young adults (aged 17-24 years) were recruited after obtaining their informed consent. First, a validated questionnaire was used to obtain the extent of phone usage among participants. They were then grouped as long-term, intermediate-term, and short-term users as per the criteria, and later their hearing ability was tested by pure tone audiometry.

Results: Among the 78 participants, 40 (51.28%) were males and 38 (48.71%) were females. Sixty-four (82.05%) of the participants responded that the right ear was their dominant ear, and for the remaining 14 (17.95%), it was the left ear. Forty-five participants (57.69%) use a 4G phone, while 32 (41.02%) use a 5G, and only one participant (1.28%) uses a 2G phone. Forty-five participants (57.69%) use the phone primarily for texting, while 33 (42.30%) use it to make calls. Fifty-four participants (69.23%) firmly attached the phone over their ears while making/receiving a call, but 24 (30.76%) did not. Fifty-nine participants (75.64%) did not feel any discomfort, but 11 (14.10%) felt a headache, one (1.28%) felt nausea, and seven (8.97%) experienced tinnitus during a call. In audiometry, mild to moderate hearing loss was evident in all three groups of participants at frequencies 250 Hz, 500 Hz, and 1000 Hz. The hearing loss was evident in individuals who have used their phones for more than 30 min/day for five years continuously compared to individuals who have used their phones 30 min/day for four years and/or 30 min/day for less than three years. This pattern was similar in both the right and left ears. Ear dominance did not play a significant role in influencing hearing loss in participants. However, significant hearing loss was found in 4G phone users compared to 5G phone users at 250 Hz and 500 Hz but not with frequencies between 1000 Hz and 8000 Hz particularly in the left ear. Moreover, irrespective of the participant's per-day average call duration, the hearing loss was evident at frequencies 250-1000Hz in both the left and right ears compared to other frequencies.

Conclusion: Long-term mobile phone use led to mild to moderate hearing loss, at frequencies 250 Hz, 500 Hz, and 1000 Hz. Ear dominance did not play a significant role in influencing hearing loss in participants. However, significant hearing loss was found in 4G phone users compared to 5G phone users at 250 Hz and 500 Hz but not with other frequencies. Further research is required to validate these results and understand RF-EMR effects on hearing in vulnerable populations like young adults.