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."