Cells Phones Alter Brain Activity Reveals Need for Retracting Earphones

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Jeffrey Newman

For what its worth, I send this message to smartphone and cell phone makers: The recent study conducted by Nora Volkow M.D. of the National Institute of Health showing that metabolism in the brain region closest to the antenna had a 7% increase in brain activity as measured by glucose metabolism should be your wake up call. Give us retractible headphones in each device!!!! The study itself is not proof of damage but for the manufacturers of these devices it should be enough. I would think that designers could create some sort of retractible earphone device which would be stylish and more effective than holding the smartphone or blackberry to the ear. So, it could be a selling point and a differentiation mechanism in marketing terms. Before more studies refine and enhance our understanding of the damage being done, and surely there is damage being done, why not get ahead of the curve before the lawsuits fly? Given the benefits of this technology to communication, business, medicine I have come to embrace these technologies. However, we must also examine their potential problems. So Apple and Motorola come on, give us some new options here, they are long overdue anyway from merely a functional point of view. Design, popularity, ease of use and safety all in one package.