Abstract

Overview

Hearing loss (HL) is identified as the most prevalent sensory disorder globally, frequently linked to vestibular schwannoma (VS) - a benign tumor on the VIII cranial nerve. Recent studies have explored the potential contributing role of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure in the development and exacerbation of VS and HL.

Findings

• Investigation was conducted using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies and RNA-Seq transcriptomic analysis to identify changes in HL-related genes after chronic EMF exposure.
• Studies revealed that chronic EMF exposure resulted in altered cell proliferation, changes in intracellular signaling, and metabolic pathway disruptions primarily affecting translation and mitochondrial activities.
• Significant findings include the deregulation of critical HL-related genes such as NEFL, TPRN, OTOGL, GJB2, and REST.

Conclusion

This study suggests a significant preclinical insight where EMF exposure could potentially catalyze the oncogenic transformation of VS cells, therefore contributing to HL. Awareness and further research into EMF impacts on cellular levels are imperative.