Long-Term Cellphone Use Raises Risks of Tinnitus

Across developed nations, the prevalence of tinnitus is on the rise, affecting an estimated 15% of the population.  Hans-Peter Hutter, MD, from the Medical University of Vienna (Austria), and colleagues studied 100 men and women diagnosed with tinnitus, specifically assessing for extent of cellphone use. The team found that a slight tendency toward a moderately increased risk of tinnitus occurring on the same side of the head as the phone use, and tendencies toward moderate increases in risk were seen for all measures of intense use.  Most notably, the researchers observed a significantly increased risk of tinnitus among those who used a cellphone for four years or more.  The team urges that: “Mobile phone use should be included in future investigations as a potential risk factor for developing tinnitus. “