We have all got used to the dire warnings that the use of mobile (cell) phones may cause cancer, but I bet you didn't know that the link to tinnitus, from mobile phone use is a lot stronger. Apparently, even using a mobile phone for 10 minutes can actually increase the tinnitus risk by 71 per cent, and this risk doubles in those people who have used a mobile phone for more than four years, which is pretty much all of us right?! The overall risk for any use is around 37 per cent when compared with someone who has not or does not use a cell phone.

This alarming link was discovered when researchers writing their findings in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2010 compared the records of 100 people suffering from tinnitus with the same number of number of patients without tinnitus. Of those with tinnitus most reported their problem was in the left ear, where they held their mobile phone, with 29 per cent said they suffered in addition, from vertigo.

Damage to the microscopic endings of the hearing nerve in the inner ear, can be one of the major causes of Tinnititus. Advancing age is generally accompanied by a certain amount of hearing nerve impairment, and consequently tinnitusTinnitus may be a symptom of a variety of ear disorders or other medical conditions.a problem with one or more of the five parts of the hearing mechanism, may cause tinnitus. Symptoms associated with Tinnititus include, blocked ear canal, or a blocked eustachian tube, ear infection etc.

Yes Debrah that is very true but there is still the link to mobile phone usage that does seem to put forward quite a convincing argument. Sadly I suppose we will not really know until some years hence as the use of mobile phones is a relatively new thing and the effects will take decades to develop and to become apparent. But the fact that, as you mentioned, tinnitus is caused by damage to the microscopic nerve endings in the ear does make you think that that this damage might be entirely possible with mobile phone over usage or with the use Ipods and the like which my husband for one plays really loudly. They have the capability of delivering the sound right into the ear and cannot be doing the poor old nerve endings any good as I keep telling him or rather shouting at him as he does seem to be going deaf!

In this very connected world it is not possible to live without the cell phones. But these results really alarming. Although tinnitus is not disease but it is a symptom which causes us problems.

I know what you mean Jack, it is just not possible to not have a mobile phone in todays world. Everyone else has one and everyone expects you to have one! I think that the answer is to use it as little as possible, not spend hours on it chatting when you could use a land line for that. I try to limit my use of my phone, but it is not easy!

My Father suffers from tinnitus and I know how horrible it can be. I do get it occasionally and I think that a lot of people do, but to have it all the time would be horrible!