Tag: defibrillators
Study Finds That Headphones Can Interfere With Pacemakers
by andreas on Nov.10, 2008, under medical devices
Earphones that are used for portable music players can interfere with pacemakers when they are held close to the device, according to a recent study that suggests performed at the Medical Device Safety Institute at Beth Israel Medical Center in Boston.
Neodymium, a magnetic substance that is present in most earphones, can prevent defibrillators from detecting abnormal heart rhythms.
The researchers tested eight models of headphones connected to iPods on 60 patients who had a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator.
The research team determined that the earphones caused interference in 15% of the patients who had pacemakers and 30% of the patients with defibrillators. The effect was present whether or not the earphones were plugged in.
The results of the study conflict with the FDA’s conclusion that iPods and other MP3 players are unlikely to interfere with defibrillators and pacemakers.
