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eects. Their recommendation to limit wireless phone use by children was strictly
precautionary; it was not based on scientic evidence that any health hazard
exists.
11. What about wireless phone interference with medical equipment?
Radiofrequency energy (RF) from wireless phones can interact with some
electronic devices. For this reason, FDA helped develop a detailed test method to
measure electromagnetic interference (EMI) of implanted cardiac pacemakers
and debrillators from wireless telephones. This test method is now part of
a standard sponsored by the Association for the Advancement of Medical
instrumentation (AAMI). The nal draft, a joint eort by FDA, medical device
manufacturers, and many other groups, was completed in late 2000. This
standard will allow manufacturers to ensure that cardiac pacemakers and
debrillators are safe from wireless phone EMI. FDA has tested hearing aids for
interference from handheld wireless phones and helped develop a voluntary
standard sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).
This standard species test methods and performance requirements for hearing
aids and wireless phones so that that no interference occurs when a person
uses a “compatible” phone and a “compatible” hearing aid at the same time. This
standard was approved by the IEEE in 2000. FDA continues to monitor the use
of wireless phones for possible interactions with other medical devices. Should
harmful interference be found to occur, FDA will conduct testing to assess the
interference and work to resolve the problem.
12. Where can I nd additional information?
For additional information, please refer to the following resources:
•
FDA web page on wireless phones
(
http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/
RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/
HomeBusinessandEntertainment/CellPhones/default.htm
)
•
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) RF Safety Program
(
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety
)
•
International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection
(
http://www.icnirp.de
)
•
World Health Organization (WHO) International EMF Project
(
http://www.who.int/emf
)
•
National Radiological Protection Board (UK)
(
http://www.hpa.org.uk/radiation/
)
AVOID POTENTIAL HEARING LOSS
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds (including music) is the most common cause
of preventable hearing loss. Some scientic research suggests that using portable
audio devices, such as portable music players and cellular telephones, at high
volume settings for long durations may lead to permanent noise-induced hearing
loss. This includes the use of headphones (including headsets, earbuds and
Bluetooth® or other wireless devices). Exposure to very loud sound has also been
associated in some studies with tinnitus (a ringing in the ear), hypersensitivity to
sound and distorted hearing. Individual susceptibility to noise-induced hearing
loss and other potential hearing problems varies.
The amount of sound produced by a portable audio device varies depending on
the nature of the sound, the device, the device settings and the headphones. You
should follow some commonsense recommendations when using any portable
audio device:
•
Set the volume in a quiet environment and select the lowest volume at which
you can hear adequately.
•
When using headphones, turn the volume down if you cannot hear the people
speaking near you or if the person sitting next to you can hear what you are