Constant loud noises may lead to tumours
9 January 2006
by Carina
Lee
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Results from a recent study reveals that people exposed to loud noises for a sustained period of time may develop a benign (non-cancerous) tumour called an acoustic neuroma. Loud noises are defined as the level of noise generated by city traffic, 80 decibels. Some of the symptoms of acoustic neuroma include hearing loss and tinnitus, and as the acoustic neuroma grows, it presses on the cranial nerve responsible for controlling balance and the ability to hear. Most acoustic neuromas affect only one ear. However, there are cases when both ears are affected by the tumour in circumstances such as inheritance. From conducting this study, Colin Edwards explains "It's not surprising that the longer that people are exposed to loud noise, the greater their chances become for developing the tumour." Edwards, along with his colleagues from the School of Public Health at Ohio State University, also studied the effects of mobile phone use in relation to brain tumours. |
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Original press release from Ohio State University
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