STUDY OF EFFECTS OF CELL PHONE ON EAR
NILAM U. SATHE *
Department of ENT and Head – Neck Surgery, Seth G. S. Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India
DHANASHREE CHIPLUNKAR
Department of ENT and Head – Neck Surgery, Seth G. S. Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India
MANOJ PATIL
Department of ENT and Head – Neck Surgery, Seth G. S. Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Introduction: The widespread use of mobile telephones has given rise to concern about potential influence of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on human health. Mobile phones emit a pulsed high frequency electromagnetic (EM) field that may have adverse effects. They transmit and receive microwave radiation at frequencies mainly ranged between 800 and 2000 MHz [1], which excites rotation of water molecules and some organic molecules, but is non-ionising [1] and so, would not be expected to damage DNA. This microwave radiation has been reported to have thermal and non- thermal effects in humans.
Materials and Methods: 50 patients having symptoms after using cell phones regularly >10 min/day without having any external, middle & inner ear anatomical or pathological abnormalities, systemic diseases, not on ototoxic drugs, no history of ear trauma or exposure to loud noise were observed from period of 2008 -2010.
Conclusions: following precautions need to be taken.
- Limit use of mobile phone for short duration
- Buy your mobile phone from genuine company with low SAR value.
- Try to use ear phones or head phones or in loud speaker mode.
- Avoid use in pregnant females and in children.
- Don’t use defective mobile phones.
- Avoid direct contact of mobile phone to ear.
- If possible, use landline phone or text messaging instead of mobile phone.
- Do not make a call when the signal strength is weak.
Keywords: Effects of cell Phone: ear