Does the short-term exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic field originating from mobile phone affect auditory functions as measured by Acoustic Admittance and Evoked Otoacoustic Emission tests?

BACKGROUND: Mobile phones constitute an important source of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) for humans. Taking into account high sensitivity of sensory hair cells of the inner ear to endogenous and exogenous agents, the potential impact of mobile phone usage on auditory organs is of particular interest. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of short-term exposure to RF-EMF generated by a mobile phone during 15-minute simulated phone call on human hearing as measured by Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emission (TEOAE) and Acoustic Admittance Testing (AAT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Within-subject study was performed on 23 healthy volunteers. All of the participants underwent TEOAE and AAT before and immediately after 15-minute simulated phone call with the use of a standard, modern smartphone. Analyzed parameters included: static compliance of tympanic membrane, middle ear pressure, ipsi- and contralateral acoustic reflex thresholds and percentage of signal reproducibility in TEOAE for exposed and non-exposed ear. Additionally, the results were compared in subgroups distinguished basing on self-reported sensitivity to RF-EMF originating from mobile phones. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were identified between results of TEOAE and AAT before and after exposure, both in exposed and non-exposed ear. The results of EMF sensitive and non-sensitive subjects were comparable in all performed tests. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term exposure to mobile phone electromagnetic field did not influence auditory functions as measured by Evoked Otoacoustic Emission test and Acoustic Admittance Testing.

[Genes and cardiovascular diseases]. / Geny a choroby ukladu krazenia.

In recent years there has been observed a relatively fast progress of explaining genetic mechanisms of development of many cardiovascular system diseases, mainly diseases conditioned by the mutation of single genes. The situation is different when analyzing the dependencies of complex cardiovascular system diseases whose development has many stages depending on exogenous or hereditary factors. The development of those diseases is due to interactions between particular environmental factors, individual differences in response to environmental factors and often complex genetic relations. The complexity of etiopathogenesis and clinical differentiation are the result of superposition of the effects of the action of single genes responsible for the development, predisposing and/or modulating the course. The analysis of genetic causes of cardiovascular system diseases is made on the basis of models and multigene polymorphisms.