Researchers examined data from annual health checkups that included audio testing and a health-related lifestyle questionnaire.
After adjusting for factors, such as occupational noise exposure, researchers found smokers experience a 1.2 to 1.6 increased risk of hearing loss as compared to nonsmokers.
Additionally, the link between smoking and high-frequency hearing loss was stronger than with low-frequency hearing loss. The increased hearing risk loss decreased within five years of quitting smoking.
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