In addition to increasing the risk for conditions such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), smoking cigarettes has also been linked to hearing loss. Not only does smoking harm your own health, but it also affects those around you. Below, we delve deeper into the relationship between smoking and hearing loss.
What Research Tells Us
Extensive studies have explored the connection between smoking and hearing loss.
- A 2019 study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research revealed that smokers are 60% morelikely to suffer from high-frequency hearing loss than nonsmokers.
- Research from 2014 in the Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery showed that teens regularly exposed to cigarette smoke were two to three times more likely to develop hearing problems compared to those with little or no exposure.
- An earlier 1998 study published in JAMA reported that nonsmokers living with smokers had double the risk of hearing loss compared to those not exposed to secondhand smoke.
- According to the CDC, secondhand smoke contributes to numerous health issues in children, including ear infections that can lead to conductive hearing loss (Centers for Disease Control, 2024).
- A review of 20 studies provided strong evidence that smoking is also associated with tinnitus or a persistent ringing in the ears.
How Smoking Affects Hearing Health
Cigarettes contain nicotine and carbon monoxide, both of which lower oxygen levels in the blood and constrict blood vessels. The inner ear depends on a steady supply of oxygenated blood to function properly. Smoking can harm the sensitive cells in the cochlea, the part of the ear responsible for translating sound vibrations into electrical signals for the brain.
In addition, smoking can:
- Disrupt the neurotransmitters responsible for sending sound signals via the auditory nerve.
- Irritate the Eustachian tubes and the middle ear lining, contributing to hearing problems.
- Release free radicals, which can cause cellular damage and disease.
- Increase your sensitivity to loud sounds, such as the noise of bowling, making you more vulnerable to noise-induced hearing loss.
Quitting Smoking: Protecting Your Hearing Health
While stopping smoking won’t undo any hearing damage that’s already occurred, it can help prevent further harm to your ears.
If you’re unsure how to start your quit journey, resources are available. Visit smokefree.gov for advice on how to create a personalized quit plan. Additionally, the American Lung Association’s online Freedom from Smoking program offers guidance and techniques to help you quit for good. For more information or to book an appointment for a hearing test, contact Advanced Hearing today.