If
you have used your mobile phone for more than 10 years, you might
have increased your risk of developing acoustic neuroma, a benign
tumor on the auditory nerve.
Interestingly enough, studies found that the risk was confined
to the side of the head that was used most often while talking on
the phone. As a matter of fact, the risk of acoustic neuroma was
nearly four times greater on the side of the head that the phone
was most frequently held compared to the other side, which appeared
normal.
A study revealed that the number of years of phone usage seemed
to play a factor in the development of the tumor, as those using
their phone 10 years or more were shown to nearly double their risk
of acoustic neuroma. On the other hand, those who used their phone
for less than 10 years didn't show any signs of increases risk.
Participants of the study included 150 people with acoustic neuroma
and 600 healthy people.
Since the only types of phones used during the study were analog
mobile phones, researchers questioned whether or not the same results
would apply to long-term use of the digital phones, which have since
replaced the bulkier and less advanced analog phones.
In response to the study results, the mobile phone industry claimed
there wasn't any scientific evidence to supporting findings showing
that using mobile phones causes negative health effects.
USA
Today October 14, 2004