Tobacco and Your Hearing

Some of the health risks of smoking cigarettes are well known, such as the increased risk of lung cancer and heart disease. However, studies suggest that the negative impacts of smoking are even more widespread than that. A large body of evidence suggests that smoking can actually contribute to the gradual hearing loss associated with aging.

If you or a loved one is suffering from hearing loss of any kind, HearingPlanet can help you access the information and assistive technology you need. To speak with one of our experienced hearing aid consultants, call us today at 1-800-432-7669.

How Tobacco Causes Hearing Loss

Studies have shown that smokers are more likely to develop high frequency hearing loss, even when controlling for other factors such as age and work environment. Additionally, children who are raised around smokers are more likely to suffer from impaired sensitivity to sound. But how exactly can cigarette smoke affect a person's hearing level?

Researchers have not yet identified the precise cause of smoking-related hearing loss, but there are several theories about how this problem occurs, including:

Cardiovascular disease- The carbon monoxide in cigarettes damages the arteries' protective lining, allowing plaque and fat to build up in them. Over time, this begins to impair the flow of blood through the body, which prevents tissue from receiving the nutrients it needs. This can gradually cause the inner ear's receptor cells to become less sensitive.

Direct damage to receptor cells- The throat is connected to the inner ear via the Eustachian tube, which may allow cigarettes' toxic chemicals to reach the ear directly. Research shows that some of these chemicals may be ototoxic; in other words, exposure to them may cause the cochlea's delicate receptor cells to die.

If you currently smoke, quitting now will not only help you breathe more easily and reduce your chances of a heart attack or stroke. You would also be doing your ears a big favor.

Contact a Hearing Aid Professional

Hearing loss does not have to interrupt your life. To learn about high quality hearing aids and other assistive devices, contact a hearing aid expert from HearingPlanet at 1-800-432-7669.