Doctors in UAE warn against use of wireless headphones
Abu Dhabi : Doctors in the UAE are warning people against the use of bluetooth earbuds, which they claim not only causes a risk of sleep distraction and deafness, but also brain cancer.
The wireless/bluetooth headphones, which sell for as high as Dh700, are a serious health hazard and should not be used for longer than a "minute or two" a day, if necessary, said Dr Nasir Nawasreh, specialist - family medicine with subspecialty in acute care at Bareen International Hospital.
"I do not recommend people to use blue tooth headphones - minimal if they have to. The device has to be removed immediately after usage." Dr Nawasreh said researches indicate that brain cancer is one of the major risks the popular device could cause.
He pointed out that bluetooth headphones work by waves that are similar to the microwave, thus "literally cooking the human brain." "The more frequent the wave, the greater the harm. The better quality of sound, the more frequent and harmful the waves are."
The level of waves can cause biological effects by penetrating into the brain and skull.
Dr Nawasreh said researches also indicate that people under the age of 20, who use wireless headphones for more than 25 years, are more prone to developing brain cancer.
"The risk of developing brain cancer in these people is three times higher than the average person."
He said besides the risk of cancer and other effects on brain function, the device's radio-frequency energy could cause severe headaches, sleep disturbance, sleep memory, inflammation and deafness.
"Listening to voices via bluetooth causes the brain to become busier by analysing the sounds or music and it stores what it listens to." Dr Nawasreh stressed that recently, one of his patients became partially deaf due to the usage of bluetooth headphones.
"The patient ended-up having ringing ears and a degree of deafness caused by the usage of wireless headphones. The ear capacity is just like a glass of water, once it's full, the water will spill out."
Moreover, the high frequency waves could also cause side effects on people with pacemakers. He said people with a high risk of developing diseases due to family history or genetic disorders, should stay away from bluetooth headphones.
"This also includes people with chronic ear infections, as well as those with migraines and with a family history of brain tumors."
Dr Rajesh Baby, specialist in neurology, Universal Hospital, said although wireless headphones might be handy for the millions of people who use them globally, long-term exposure to the products could pose a risk on health and safety.
"There are a lot of controversies regarding cancer development and health risks when it comes to using wireless headsets."
He pointed out that lab studies on mice and rats revealed that heavy exposure of cellphone radiation increased the schwannoma of the heart, which is a tumour of the tissue that covers nerves.
The neurologist thus recommends people to put their phones on speaker instead of using bluetooth headphones or directly placing the phone on the ear. "The further away the phone is from the body, the better. The less time spent, the safer the user will be."
courtesy : khaleejtimes.com
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Industry body BCIC welcomes K'taka budget, calls it growth oriented
Bengaluru (PTI): The Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce on Saturday welcomed the Karnataka Budget 2026-27, recognising its balanced approach towards fostering economic growth, supporting MSMEs, and enhancing infrastructure development.
K Ravi, Senior Vice President, BCIC and Chairman, International Business Committee. appreciated the government's commitment to strengthening the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector through targeted financial incentives, skill development programs, and ease of doing business reforms.
"These measures are expected to boost manufacturing capabilities and create significant employment opportunities across the state," he said, in a statement.
According to him, the budget's focus on infrastructure, including investments in road connectivity, urban development, and industrial parks, tourism and hospitality aligns with BCIC's vision of a robust industrial ecosystem that supports sustainable growth and competitiveness.
BCIC also applauded the emphasis on IT, AI, technology and innovation, which it said will drive Karnataka's position as a leading hub for startups and digital economy initiatives.
While the budget presents ambitious welfare schemes and agricultural support, BCIC said it encourages continued dialogue between industry stakeholders and the government to ensure effective implementation and maximise impact.
BCIC further said that it remains committed to collaborating with the government to facilitate a conducive business environment that promotes investment, innovation, and inclusive growth in Karnataka.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday presented his record 17th budget with a total outlay of Rs 4,48,004 crore.
Reacting to the state budget, Karmendra Kohli, CEO, SecurEyes said it sends a strong signal on digital responsibility.
He said in a statement that the proposed social media ban for children under 16 is a timely step but its success will hinge entirely on robust digital identity verification and enforcement mechanisms, which are inherently cybersecurity challenges.
Similarly, the establishment of the Bangalore Robotics and AI Innovation Zone and AI Centers of Excellence is exciting, but every AI platform is a potential attack surface, Kohli said.
"As Karnataka accelerates its digital ambitions, cybersecurity cannot be an afterthought; it must be embedded from the ground up. We look forward to the state building on its Cybersecurity Policy 2024 with dedicated budget allocations that match the scale of its tech aspirations," he added.
