Smoking Kills Not Only Lungs But....

New Delhi, Mar 14: Smoking is associated with increased risk of hearing loss, according to a study of over 50,000 participants over 8 years in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, published by Oxford University Press.

Smoking led to an increased risk of hearing loss that ranged from 20% to 60%.

Researchers analyzed data from annual health check-ups which included hearing testing and a lifestyle questionnaire.

"With a large sample size, long follow-up period, and objective assessment of hearing loss, our study provides strong evidence that smoking is an independent risk factor of hearing loss," said the study's lead author Dr. Huanhuan Hu of Japan's National Center for Global Health and Medicine.

"These results provide strong evidence to support that smoking is a causal factor for hearing loss and emphasize the need for tobacco control to prevent or delay the development of hearing loss."