Mobile phone usage does not affect sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

Objective: Recent studies found that mobile phone users had a significantly greater risk of having elevated thresholds in speech frequencies. This study investigated the correlation between the laterality of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, handedness and the preferred ear for mobile phone use. Methods: The study included all patients who presented with sudden sensorineural hearing loss to the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in our tertiary referral medical centre between 2014 and 2016. Patients were asked to indicate their dominant hand and preferred ear for mobile phone use. Results: The study comprised 160 patients. No correlation was found between the dominant hand or preferred ear for mobile phone use and the side of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. There was no correlation between the side of the sudden sensorineural hearing loss (preferable or non-preferable for mobile phone use) and audiometric characteristics. Conclusion: No correlation was found between the laterality of ears used for mobile phone and sudden sensorineural hearing loss.