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Effect of chronic exposure to cellular telephone electromagnetic fields on hearing in rats

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 November 2010

G Kayabasoglu ,
O S Sezen ,
G Eraslan ,
E Aydin ,
T Coskuner  and
S Unver
G Kayabasoglu
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department, Dr Lutfi Kirdar Kartal Research and Teaching Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
O S Sezen*
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department, Dr Lutfi Kirdar Kartal Research and Teaching Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
G Eraslan
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department, Fatsa State Hospital, Ordu, Turkey
E Aydin
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department, Hinis State Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey
T Coskuner
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department, Dr Lutfi Kirdar Kartal Research and Teaching Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
S Unver
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department, Dr Lutfi Kirdar Kartal Research and Teaching Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
*
Address for correspondence: Ozan Seymen Sezen, Altaycesme Mah Zuhal Sok Kayalarkent Sit F Blok D:9, Maltepe, Istanbul, Turkey Fax: +90 216 5755881 E-mail: ozansezen@yahoo.com
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Abstract

Objective:

To study the effects of the electromagnetic field emitted by cellular telephones upon the inner ear of rats, using distortion product otoacoustic emissions.

Methods:

Forty Wistar Albino rats were used. Twenty newborn and 20 adult rats were divided into two groups of 10, one to participate in the study and one as a control. The rats were exposed to the electromagnetic field for 6 hours per day, for 30 consecutive days. Before and after the 30 day exposure period, distortion product otoacoustic emissions were measured in each group and a signal-to-noise ratio calculated, which was later used in statistical analysis.

Results:

For both the newborn and adult rat groups, there was no significant difference in distortion product otoacoustic emissions recorded before and after exposure to the cellular telephone electromagnetic field (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Exposure to the electromagnetic field emitted by cellular telephones, for 6 hours a day for 30 consecutive days, had no effect on the hearing of newborn or adult rats, at the outer ear, middle ear or cochlear level.

Keywords

Cellular PhoneElectromagnetic FieldsAdverse EffectOtoacoustic Emissions
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 125 , Issue 4 , April 2011 , pp. 348 - 353
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2010

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