MP3 Player Headphones May Adversely Affect Pacemakers and Implantable Defribillators, Says AHA

By Contributor Wireless and Mobile News on November 9, 2008 9:58 AM

The American Heart Association just released new research that shows MP3 player headphones may cause potentially dangerous interactions with pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs).

For safe use, MP3 player headphones have to be kept at least 1.2 inches (3 cm) from any implanted heart devices.

Sound is produced in headphones via magnets. Headphones use the magnetic substance neodymium, which affects pacemakers and ICDs.

The researchers found a detectable interference in the headphones in 14 patients, (23 percent). Specifically, they observed that 15 percent of the pacemaker patients and 30 percent of the defibrillator patients had a magnet response.

"For patients with pacemakers, exposure to the headphones can force the device to deliver signals to the heart, causing it to beat without regard to the patients' underlying heart rhythm," said William H. Maisel, M.D., M.P.H., senior author of the study, "Exposure of a defibrillator to the headphones can temporarily deactivate the defibrillator."

In most cases, removal of the headphones restores normal device function.

The report warns, patients should be instructed to keep their headphones at least 3 cm from their implantable devices. Patients should not place headphones in their pocket or drape them over their chest.

Family members or friends of patients with implantable defibrillators should avoid wearing headphones and resting their head right on top of someone's device. More information from AHA.

iPhoners and Bluetooth users with pacemakers or ICS don't have to worry - Unrelated research did not find adverse reactions to pacemakers and defibrillators from iPods, Bluetooth headsets, iPhones, electric blankets, hand-held airport metal detectors or pills swallowed to perform video endoscopy.