Medical students and mobile phones: a cross-sectional study on auditory health
Abstract Objective The main aim of our study was to identify the effect of prolonged mobile phone usage on hearing status and to correlate the duration of mobile phone usage with hearing status. Methodology A total of 140 medical students aged 18–30, who had been using mobile phones for more than 5 ...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SpringerOpen
2025-04-01
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| Series: | The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43163-025-00821-7 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Objective The main aim of our study was to identify the effect of prolonged mobile phone usage on hearing status and to correlate the duration of mobile phone usage with hearing status. Methodology A total of 140 medical students aged 18–30, who had been using mobile phones for more than 5 years, were included in the study. Participants had no preexisting ear disease, systemic illness, or frequent exposure to loud noise. Basic sociodemographic details were recorded, including the average duration of phone use (screen/call), Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) values, and phone network. Handedness was noted to identify exposed and non-exposed ears, followed by a thorough ENT examination. Hearing status was assessed using Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) and Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA). Result Among the 140 subjects, 71 were males and 69 were females, with a mean age of 23 years. Most participants (138) were right-handed. The average call duration was 21 min/day. Notably, 28% of the students used mobile phones on calls for more than 30 min/day, and 58% of these students experienced mild hearing loss in the exposed ear(5-10 dB). BERA results were in coherence with the audiometry findings. Conclusion We conclude that mobile phone usage on call > 30 min/ day was associated with mild hearing loss. In conclusion, students should be educated about safe hearing practices to prevent hearing loss. |
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| ISSN: | 2090-8539 |