The study, by David Laramie, a doctoral student who graduated from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Los Angeles, also found that the more frequently a person uses their phone, the more often they reported hearing a phantom ring.

Those who heard the phantom ringing -- 67 percent of the people surveyed -- had higher monthly charges, used more minutes, sent more text messages, and showed higher levels of impulsivity.

The study also shows that some people rely on their cellphone to regulate moods and maintain social connectedness and those people who prefer to use their phones for text messaging, rather than talking, showed higher levels of loneliness, social anxiety and problem phone use, explained Laramie.

Laramie presented his findings at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention in San Francisco.