Background: The Bluetooth wireless headset has been promoted as a 'hands-free' device with a low emission of electromagnetic radiation.
Objective: To evaluate potential changes in hearing function as a consequence of using Bluetooth devices, by assessing changes in pure tone audiography and distortion production otoacoustic emissions.
Design: Prospective study.
Materials and methods: Thirty adult volunteers were exposed to a Bluetooth headset device (1) on 'standby' setting for 6 hours and (2) at full power for 10 minutes. Post-exposure hearing was evaluated using pure tone audiography and distortion production otoacoustic emission testing.
Results: There were no statistically significant changes in hearing, as measured above, following either exposure type.
Conclusion: Exposure to the electromagnetic field emitted by a Bluetooth headset, as described above, did not decrease hearing thresholds or alter distortion product otoacoustic emissions.