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Effects of Bluetooth device electromagnetic field on hearing: pilot study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 February 2012

R Balachandran ,
N Prepagaran ,
O Rahmat ,
A B Zulkiflee  and
K S Hufaida
R Balachandran*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
N Prepagaran
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
O Rahmat
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
A B Zulkiflee
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
K S Hufaida
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Rekha Balachandran, Department of ENT, Hospital Raja Perempuan Bainun, Ipoh 30990, Perak, Malaysia E-mail: b_rekha@yahoo.com
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Abstract

Background:

The Bluetooth wireless headset has been promoted as a ‘hands-free’ device with a low emission of electromagnetic radiation.

Objective:

To evaluate potential changes in hearing function as a consequence of using Bluetooth devices, by assessing changes in pure tone audiography and distortion production otoacoustic emissions.

Design:

Prospective study.

Materials and methods:

Thirty adult volunteers were exposed to a Bluetooth headset device (1) on ‘standby’ setting for 6 hours and (2) at full power for 10 minutes. Post-exposure hearing was evaluated using pure tone audiography and distortion production otoacoustic emission testing.

Results:

There were no statistically significant changes in hearing, as measured above, following either exposure type.

Conclusion:

Exposure to the electromagnetic field emitted by a Bluetooth headset, as described above, did not decrease hearing thresholds or alter distortion product otoacoustic emissions.

Keywords

Bluetooth HeadsetElectromagnetic FieldsCochleaHearing Loss
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 126 , Issue 4 , April 2012 , pp. 345 - 348
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2012

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Footnotes

Presented at the 13th ASEAN ORL-HNS Congress, 12 November 2009, Siem-Reap, Cambodia

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