Abstract
Objective: Hearing loss in the elderly is a serious public health problem that inhibits communication, and reduces quality of life. In order to prevent hearing loss, it is important to clarify the extrinsic risk factors. In this study, we investigated the influence of smoking on hearing loss.
Methods: The subjects were 4,647 men and 4,296 women who visited our clinic for a health check-up between April 2010 and September 2011. We performed pure tone audiometry at 1 and 4 kHz. The results of a self-administered questionnaire concerning smoking history given in a Specific Health Examination were used to divide subjects into 3 groups according to smoking behavior. A chi-square test was used for analysis, and p values <0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.
Results: In male subjects with a smoking history, there was a significantly higher prevalence of hearing loss, and former male smokers had greater hearing loss than current smokers.
Conclusions: The results of the present study suggested that smoking habit was a risk factor for permanent hearing loss. Protection from cigarette smoke and quitting smoking as early as possible may therefore help prevent hearing loss.
