The possible mechanisms of electromagnetic phone effects on the auditory system of children and adolescents

For the first time, we compared the gradients of changes in the simple auditory-motor response (SAMR) and the daily time of using a mobile phone (MP), which made it possible to describe the variants of possible changes in lateralization of effects and the frequency of their occurrence for different variants of SAMR changes. This study has no analogues neither in Russian nor in foreign publications and is currently exclusive. Objective – to determine the patterns of manifestation of contra- and ipsilateral effects, using individual changes in indicators of a simple auditory-motor response obtained as a result of longitudinal observations. The analysis of changes in the parameters of a simple auditory-motor reaction was carried out during mono-presentation of a sound signal on the left and on the right in 145 children and adolescents aged 7-14 years (470 measurements), who were under observation for 2 or more years, depending on changes in the mode of use mobile phone. Further, 48 cases were excluded (change in the lateralization of use, for example, the respondent brought the phone to both the right and the left ear, “changed” the leading ear, etc.). Three variants of changes in the mode of using MP in the longitude period (gradient of time change) were established: an increase in time (the group "less–more"), a decrease in time (group "more–less") and no changes. For each group, 4 variants of changes in the parameters of SAMR were revealed in the dynamics of observations along the longitude: decrease in SAMR indicators on the left (left ear) and increase in the right (right ear); decrease in indicators on the left and increase on the right and synchronous decrease or increase in indicators on the right and left. An assessment of the strength of the correlation was carried out (a linear Pearson correlation coefficient was used and an assessment of the statistical significance was carried out): between changes in the gradient of changes in the time of MP usage and SAMR, as well as changes in the lateralization of effects (changes in the frequency of occurrence of ipsi- and contralateral effects). The multivariance of changes in SAMR indicators and lateralization of effects was revealed depending on the mode of MP use. The proposed approach to the analysis of changes in a simple auditory-motor reaction and daily time of using a mobile phone makes it possible to suggest some mechanisms of changes in the parameters of the auditory analyzer in response to the duration of exposure to electromagnetic radiation from a mobile phone. The presence of contralateral effects of changes in SAMR parameters can serve as an assessment of the “capture” of the brain structures of children and adolescents by MP electromagnetic radiation. The results obtained once again prove the level of negative impact on the auditory system of children and adolescents. The current situation requires an immediate solution by clear regulation of the use of cellular communications by the younger generation.