Correlation between Mobile Phone Usage Metrics and Auditory Brainstem Response Parameters among Young Adults in North India

Abstract

Background: The widespread use of mobile phones has raised concerns about their potential impact on the auditory system. Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing can objectively assess auditory pathway neuronal conduction and detect small neurophysiological changes caused by prolonged mobile phone use.

Objective: To determine how mobile phone usage affects young adults' auditory brainstem response characteristics.

Method: A cross-sectional correlational study involved 68 youth. Mobile phone usage characteristics, including years used, daily calling duration, and total calling length (minutes, days), were recorded. ABR absolute and interpeak latencies of Waves I, III, and V were studied. Pearson correlation was used for regularly distributed variables and Spearman's rho for non-normally distributed variables.

Results: The daily duration of calls was positively correlated with Wave latency and Interpeak Latencies in the right ear's total duration, measured in minutes, and latency. Comparisons were made for total calling duration in days. No significant relationships were found between cellphone usage (years) and ABR features.

Conclusion: Higher daily and cumulative mobile phone exposure extended right-ear Wave I latency, suggesting peripheral auditory nerve conduction issues. Additional longitudinal studies are needed to prove causality.