The effect of smoking on hearing: The invisible part of the iceberg

Abstract

Objectives Previous studies have had conflicting results regarding the potential effect of smoking on hearing. One reason for the conflicting results may be the limited number of studies evaluating extended high-frequency hearing thresholds among these studies. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the potential effect of smoking on hearing using extended high-frequency hearing thresholds. Materials and Methods A total of 80 participants aged 20-30 with normal hearing (0.125-8 kHz hearing thresholds ≤ 15 dB HL) were included in this study. Extended high-frequency hearing thresholds in each ear of all participants were evaluated in the range of 9-20 kHz. The cigarette consumption of smokers was determined according to the Brinkman Index. Results There was a significant difference between the study and control groups in pure-tone hearing thresholds. This difference started to increase after 9 kHz in the right ear and 10 kHz in the left ear. Also, there was a highly positive correlation between Brinkman Index and hearing thresholds at all extended high-frequencies. Conclusion The present study suggests that smoking has a potential effect on hearing, especially on high-frequency hearing thresholds. Also, this is the first study to show from which frequency pure tone hearing thresholds are affected in smoking. Clinicians should not be limited to the frequency range used in the routine audiological evaluation and should not ignore extended high-frequency hearing thresholds not to overlook possible conditions that may affect hearing.

Keywords

• Smoking
• Hearing loss
• Hearing health
• Extended high-frequency hearing
• Brinkman index

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