Exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in indoor environments depends on both outdoor sources such as radio, television and mobile phone antennas and indoor sources, such as mobile phones and wireless communications applications. Establishing the levels of exposure could be challenging due to differences in the approaches used in different studies. The goal of this study is to present an overview of the last ten years research efforts about RF EMF exposure in indoor environments, considering different RF-EMF sources found to cause exposure in indoor environments, different indoor environments and different approaches used to assess the exposure. The highest maximum mean levels of the exposure considering the whole RF-EMF frequency band was found in offices (1.14 V/m) and in public transports (0.97 V/m), while the lowest levels of exposure were observed in homes and apartments, with mean values in the range 0.13–0.43 V/m. The contribution of different RF-EMF sources to the total level of exposure was found to show slightly different patterns among the indoor environments, but this finding has to be considered as a time-dependent picture of the continuous evolving exposure to RF-EMF.

Mutations in GJB2, the gene that encodes connexin 26 (Cx26), are the most common cause of sensorineural hearing impairment. The truncating variant 35delG, which determines a complete loss of Cx26 protein function, is the prevalent GJB2 mutation in several populations. Here, we generated and analyzed Gjb2+/- mice as a model of heterozygous human carriers of 35delG. Compared to control mice, auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) worsened over time more rapidly in Gjb2+/- mice, indicating they were affected by accelerated age-related hearing loss (ARHL), or presbycusis. We linked causally the auditory phenotype of Gjb2+/- mice to apoptosis and oxidative damage in the cochlear duct, reduced release of glutathione from connexin hemichannels, decreased nutrient delivery to the sensory epithelium via cochlear gap junctions and deregulated expression of genes that are under transcriptional control of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a pivotal regulator of tolerance to redox stress. Moreover, a statistically significant genome-wide association with two genes (PRKCE and TGFB1) related to the Nrf2 pathway (p-value < 4 × 10-2) was detected in a very large cohort of 4091 individuals, originating from Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia, with hearing phenotype (including 1076 presbycusis patients and 1290 healthy matched controls). We conclude that (i) elements of the Nrf2 pathway are essential for hearing maintenance and (ii) their dysfunction may play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of human presbycusis.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) with sound generators or with open ear hearing aids in the rehabilitation of tinnitus for a group of subjects who, according to Jastreboff categories, can be treated with both approaches to sound therapy (borderline of Category 1 and 2). Design: This study was a prospective data collection with a parallel-group design which entailed that each subject was randomly assigned to one of the two treatments group: half of the subjects were fitted binaurally with sound generators, and the other half with open ear hearing aids. Both groups received the same educational counselling sessions. Study sample: Ninety-one subjects passed the screening criteria and were enrolled into the study. Structured interviews, with a variety of measures evaluated through the use of visual-analog scales and the tinnitus handicap inventory self-administered questionnaire, were performed before the therapy and at 3, 6, and 12 months during the therapy. Results: Data showed a highly significant improvement in both tinnitus treatments starting from the first three months and up to one year of therapy, with a progressive and statistically significant decrease in the disability every three months. Conclusions: TRT was equally effective with sound generator or open ear hearing aids: they gave basically identical, statistically indistinguishable results. Sumario Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio es comparar la efectividad de la terapia de re-entrenamiento del acúfeno (TRT), con generadores del sonido o con auxiliares auditivos con molde abierto en la rehabilitación del acúfeno, para un grupo de sujetos que, de acuerdo con las categorías de Jastreboff, pueden ser tratados con ambos enfoques hacia la terapia del sonido (límite entre la categoría 1 y la 2). Diseño: Este estudio fue una colección prospectiva de datos con un diseño de grupos paralelos en el que cada sujeto fue asignado al azar en uno de los dos grupos de tratamiento: la mitad de los sujetos fueron adaptados binauralmente con generadores de sonido y la otra mitad con auxiliares auditivos con molde abierto. Ambos grupos recibieron las mismas sesiones de asesoría. Muestra: 91 sujetos aprobaron el tamiz de criterios y fueron incluidos en el estudio. Se realizó una entrevista estructurada con una variedad de mediciones evaluadas en la Escala Visual Análoga y el Inventario del Impedimento por el Acúfeno, un cuestionario auto-administrado, antes de la terapia y a los 3, 6 y 12 meses durante la terapia. Resultados: Los datos mostraron una mejoría altamente significativa en ambos tratamientos desde los primeros tres meses y hasta el primer año de terapia con una significancia estadística progresiva y un descenso trimestral significativo en la discapacidad. Conclusiones: La TRT fue igualmente efectiva con generadores de sonido que con auxiliares auditivos de molde abierto: básicamente dieron resultados idénticos, estadísticamente indistinguibles.