Mobile abuse drives Hyderabadi users crazy

HYDERABAD: Excessive use of mobile phones is driving Hyderabadis literally crazy, as scores of cell phone users are rushing to experts, saying they are hearing strange sounds when there are actually none.
ENT specialists in the city said they are seeing two dozen new patients every month with tinnitus, a condition characterised by a ringing or buzzing sound in the ear, with most of the cases caused by prolonged use of mobile phones.
Sales professional Preeti Shekhar, who has no choice but to spend five-six hours on the cell phone with her clients every day, has started feeling its adverse impact on her ears.
"A few months ago, I started feeling pain in my ears and would randomly imagine my phone ringing even when it was on silent mode. It started disturbing my sleep pattern and daily activities," said the 25-year-old, who after being diagnosed with the condition, had to wean herself away from mobile phones in the next two months.
While ringing and buzzing are the most common sounds felt in the case of tinnitus, in some instances clicking, banging, hissing, humming, whistling and even more aggressive sounds like breaking of glass, gushing of water or animal sounds are heard.
"With the level of unsupervised mobile phone use nowadays, there is an alarming increase in the number of cases of tinnitus being reported in the city. The mobile phone can be a dangerous device when used excessively not only for phone calls but also for listening to music for long periods," said Dr E C Vinay Kumar, senior consultant surgeon, department of ENT, Apollo Health City.
"The condition is self limiting, but it can turn chronic and cause severe hearing impairment if remedial measures are not taken in time," Dr Kumar added.
A recent International study published worldwide reveals that those who used their phones on both ears, and those who had used a mobile for four years or more were twice as likely to have tinnitus.
The study also said that those who used mobile phones for an average of 10 minutes per day, were 70% more likely to get the condition.
Some experts strongly suggest that the high microwave energy produced by mobile phones during use is most likely to be the causative agent of tinnitus.
"If cell phones must be used at all, people should opt to use hands-free sets, instead of placing the handset directly onto the ear. The bluetooth device being used lately is not advisable either," said Dr Deena Dayal, senior ENT surgeon, Yashoda Hospital, Secunderabad.
"Ideally, cell phones should be used only for emergencies and we should all go back to the good old landline to keep our ears safe," he said.
MOBILE MENACE
Excessive mobile phone use can lead to tinnitus, a condition characterised by a ringing or buzzing sound in the ear.
Tinnitus can cause hearing impairment if remedial measures are not taken.
Those who use mobile phone for an average of 10 minutes per day were 70% more likely to get tinnitus.