Survey of mobile phone use and their chronic effects on the hearing of a student population.

Mobile phone ownership and usage is now widespread and public concern has developed over possible harmful physiological effects of their use. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of student mobile phone ownership and any possible chronic effects of usage on hearing, tinnitus and balance. Questionnaires for electronic self-completion were distributed to University of Southampton postgraduates, and 117 out of 160 returned met the criteria for analysis.