Abstract

THE INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN CELL PHONE USAGE AND EAR PROBLEMS AMIDST MEDICAL STUDENTS, TAIBAH UNIVERSITY

Zuha Rashidi* and Abraar Abdulrahman Alharbi, Abeer Abdulaziz Khayat, Bedoor
Adel Fallatah, Raneem Maher Almadani and Magda Hassanein

Abstract

Background: Concerns regarding the potential physiological effects of exposure to radio frequency (RF) radiation have been increased recently. Objective: This study explores a relationship between the use of mobile phone and auditory problems and the gender difference among medical students in Taibah University in Al Madinah Al Monawarrah. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Faculty of Medicine, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Monawarrah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the year 2013- 2014. For this purpose a questionnaire was used as data collection tool. Results: There were statistically significant difference between student's gender and vertigo (P-value= 0.001); tinnitus (P-value= 0.001), dizziness (P-value = 0.001). Conclusion: These results demonstrated high prevalence of ear problems among female medical students.

Keywords: Mobile Phone, auditory problems, dizziness, tinnitus, hearing loss, headset, duration of call.