Hands free could protect from side-effects of mobile: Azad

The use of hands free technology can reduce the side effects of excessive use of mobile phone on users, including hearing defects, the Centre said on Wednesday.

The use of hands free technology can reduce the side effects of excessive use of mobile phone on users, including hearing defects, the Centre said on Wednesday.

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"Yes it is found in the research study done in the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) that excessive use of mobile phones could lead to problems like deficient hearing and tinnitus (ringing in the ears)," Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday said in Lok Sabha.

"People are advised that mobile phones not be usedcontinuously for more than one hour in a day. Hands Free technology to be used where excessive use of the mobile phone is unavoidable. They should avoid long talks and discussions on mobile phones as far as possible," he said.

The minister said the study had indicated that sensorineural deafness can occur in 25-30 per cent of the people using mobile phones for more than two years and for more than two hours a day.

"Other side effects seen in this study were burning sensation in the ears and headache," Azad said.