From heart disease to lung cancer, smoking-related health effects are pretty well known among the average person. But did you know that lighting up a cigarette can also lead to the development of hearing loss? More and more research indicates that smoking has a detrimental effect on the health of our hearing. Here, we highlight a few recent studies and discuss how smoking can affect your hearing.
Former female smokers are at risk of hearing loss
Recent US research found a higher prevalence of hearing loss among smokers and former smokers than among nonsmokers.
The study, titled “Cigarette Smoking, Smoking Cessation and Risk of Hearing Loss in Women,” was published by The American Journal of Medicine. It examined the relationship between smoking and hearing loss among women. It concluded that smoking was associated with a higher risk of hearing loss for both past and current female smokers. The risk appears to be higher with a higher number of cigarettes consumed. Fortunately, this risk declines the more extended the women have quit.
A 2018 Japanese study reports a similar conclusion. Researchers analyzed data over eight years from annual health screenings, annual hearing tests, and questionnaires on smoking habits in a report carried out by researchers at Japan’s National Center for Global Health and Medicine. Around 50,000 participants between the ages of 20 and 64 contributed to the findings – they included smokers, nonsmokers, and former smokers who did not have hearing loss.
Over five thousand participants experienced hearing loss during the study. After analyzing the results, researchers found that smokers had a 60% greater chance of experiencing high-frequency hearing loss than nonsmokers.
Researchers found that the number of cigarettes smoked daily correlated with the risk of hearing loss. The more cigarettes smoked, the higher the risk of hearing loss.
Why is smoking bad for our hearing?
There are several reasons why smoking could be affecting our hearing health:
1. Nicotine and speech comprehension
Blood vessels, including the sensitive blood vessels found in the inner ear, are constricted by nicotine and carbon monoxide, two main chemicals in cigarettes. Neurotransmitters, the nerve transmitters that send an auditory message from the brain to the ear, are also affected by nicotine. Neurotransmitter disruption can lead to an inability to differentiate between sounds, making conversations and TV audio sound muffled.
2. Decreased circulation of the blood
The structures of your auditory system don’t get the oxygen they need when your blood circulation suffers. Many of these systems are so fragile that once the damage has happened to them, they cannot heal or regenerate themselves. This is believed to be why certain drugs that impair circulation and some disorders, such as anemia, have been associated with an increased risk of hearing loss. The blood supply in our body is also influenced by the exercise and the medications we take and can be the secret to understanding the role that smoking plays in our hearing health.
3. Increased blood pressure
Your blood pressure is also increased by smoking. If a person has high blood pressure, the body’s blood vessels are impaired, including the ones that serve the ears. Studies suggest that there is a greater rate of hearing loss in those who have heightened blood pressure.
It can permanently damage your hearing organs if the blood pressure remains high for an extended period. Luckily, once the blood pressure comes back to normal after a short time, hearing abilities can return to normal levels.
Another great reason to quit!
What’s the best way to avoid this risk of hearing loss? You guessed it: quit smoking! In this new year, why not take the time to look at your lifestyle and make some changes to protect your health? This can help you with your hearing health as well! Several organizations exist to help you kick the habit.
If you want to learn more about how hearing loss treatment can benefit you, contact us at Hearing Wellness Solutions. We have the technology and expertise to help you live your best life!
