Korean J Occup Environ Med.  2002 Mar;14(1):47-56.

Relationship between the Use of Mobile Phones and Hearing Thresholds in Some White-collar Workers

• Lee MY
• Lee CW

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the use of mobile phones and the levels of hearing thresholds in some clerical workers.
METHODS
Questionnaires were administered to 450 clerical workers between May and August 2000. The questionnaire included items concerning socio-demographic profile and noise-exposure history as well as use of mobile phone. The number of workers used in the final analysis was 394(Response rate 87.6%). Males numbered 308 and females 86. Hearing thresholds were measured in both ears using a pure-tone audiometer.
RESULTS
In a univariate analysis, the duration and time of mobile phone use per day were significant in regards to hearing threshold at 1000Hz in males(p<0.05). In a linear regression analysis with adjustment for age, education, military service, use of earphone, the group that used mobile phones for more than 49 months was more likely to have low hearing threshold at 1000Hz and 4000Hz in males(p<0.05) as compared to the reference group (CONCLUSIONS
These results suggested that only certain elements of use of a mobile phone may be associated with hearing thresholds and there is a complex relationship between the use of mobile phone and hearing thresholds that may differ in terms of frequency (1000Hz and 4000Hz) and gender.

Keyword

Mobile Phone; Hearing Thresholds

MeSH Terms

Cellular Phone*
Ear
Education
Female
Hearing*
Humans
Linear Models
Male
Military Personnel
Questionnaires