Tobacco use also harms our ears
Active and passive smoking harms health in many ways. It can also affect hearing, as various studies have shown.
May 31 is World No Tobacco Day. This year, the focus is on heart disease caused by tobacco use. After all, cardiovascular disease is considered the leading cause of death worldwide, and smoking is the second-leading cause of it. It’s no wonder that various initiatives are already aimed at curbing tobacco use—from bans on television advertising to graphic warning images on cigarette packs. In Germany, more than one in four people (28 percent) are not deterred by these measures and still reach for a cigarette.
Smoking also affects our ears
Not only does the smoke bother those around us, but in addition to the well-known cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, it also causes damage to many other organs. Very few people realize, for example, that our ears are also affected by active and passive smoking.
Various studies show that smokers are more likely to experience hearing loss than nonsmokers. Passive smokers, too, suffer from hearing loss more frequently than people who are not exposed to cigarette smoke. This is reported by the Fördergemeinschaft Gutes Hören (Foundation for Good Hearing).
Exact mechanism remains unknown
Researchers have not yet been able to prove exactly why tobacco smoke impairs hearing. One possibility, for example, is that it acts directly on the inner ear. Here, smoke particles could damage the hair cells in the cochlea, which generate the nerve impulses sent to the brain. However, hearing loss may also be a side effect of nicotine-related cardiovascular diseases. In any case, the following applies to both active and passive smokers: The longer and more heavily someone smokes, the greater the risk of hearing loss.
In addition to impaired hearing, tobacco smoke can lead to other ear conditions. For example, middle ear infections are more common among passive smokers than among people who do not inhale cigarette smoke. This applies to all age groups; even children can be harmed by secondhand smoke.
A healthy lifestyle helps
The best way to protect your hearing is, of course, to avoid smoking—which is also good for your overall health. But a healthy lifestyle can also contribute to good hearing. This includes regular exercise in the fresh air, a balanced diet, avoiding noise, and getting enough rest—especially at night while sleeping.
Anyone who nevertheless notices early signs of difficulty hearing or understanding others should take an online hearing test for an initial assessment. If necessary, it’s advisable to visit a hearing care professional or an ENT doctor as soon as possible. They can perform more precise measurements, answer personal questions, and recommend the best course of action.
You can find more tips on how to properly protect your hearing on our “Protection + Prevention” page.
