Posted on: June 20, 2012
Several studies on smoking and hearing loss have been carried out over the past few years. While there is not complete agreement among all these studies, they generally point toward the fact that smoking can be linked to hearing loss.
These studies find that people who smoke regularly have a higher risk of hearing loss. It is thought that smoking restricts blood flow to the inner ear resulting in permanent damage and hearing loss. Other conditions that can impede blood flow such as heart disease can also affect hearing.
It is not only direct smoke that can affect hearing. Second-hand smoke has also been linked to decreased hearing in adolescents http://bit.ly/qY1m2g. If you are a regular smoker or are regularly exposed to second hand smoke, it may be beneficial to have your hearing checked.