Does Radiofrequency Exposure Affect Hearing of Children?

Abstract

Objective: The effects of radio frequency (RF) and microwave radiation on humans have been the subjects of continuous investigation. Since one of the major group of children exposed to RF/microwave radiation includes those living in the employee residential houses of radio broadcasting station, this study investigates whether RF affects auditory systems of children living in the houses close to a 1,062 kHz medium wave radio broadcasting station. Materials and Methods: The study is carried out on twenty-five volunteer children (Boys: 13, Girls: 12) living in employee residential houses close to a broadcasting stations. All subjects in the control group were similar in age, socioeconomic status, but they were not exposed to radiofrequencies. Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometer (BERA) and Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) were used to measure the effects of RF under investigation on hearing thresholds of the subjects. I-III, III-V and IN inter peak intervals were measured in BERA. Hearing thresholds at 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, 2,000 Hz, 4,000 Hz and 8,000 Hz were measured in pure tone audiometric measurement. Results: Statistically insignificant sensory neural hearing loss was observed in six children living in residence of broadcasting station at 4,000 and 8,000 Hz frequencies (p > 0.05). However, no difference was observed between the children in the residence of broadcasting station and control (p>0.05). BERA results also indicated no significant differences (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our results showed no actual hearing loss in the RF exposed children living in employee residential houses. However, we suggest monitoring of hearing function.