A study from researchers in New York has found that there could be a possible link between passive smoking and hearing loss. The research team from New York University have published their findings in medical journal Archives of Otolaryngology, published May 10, 2013.
The research involved over 2000 teenagers between the ages of 12 and 19, with participants given blood tests to find out whether the chemical cotinine was present a by-product of nicotine. They also underwent a number of hearing tests and interviewed regarding whether they thought they were suffering from hearing loss.
The results showed that those who had high levels of exposure to second hand smoke had an increased likelihood of suffering from sensorineural hearing loss, twice as likely as those not exposed. 80% of those with sensorineural hearing loss were also not aware they had it.
In the past, research has linked smoking with heart disease, cancer, asthma but further research is necessary into this possible link.
