Smoking, Your Ears & Your Hearing - A Guide

Many of us are aware of the risks and dangers that come from smoking, but have you ever wondered if smoking affects your hearing as well?

This guide is for anyone worried about smoking and their ear health. We’ll cover how and why smoking can cause hearing loss, signs and symptoms, and how it can be treated.

Can smoking cause issues with your ears?

Yes, smokers have a much greater chance of developing hearing loss. Some studies suggest that smokers can be up to 70% more likely to experience hearing loss associated with smoking. The effects of smoking on the ears are not limited just to smokers either, with research showing that those living with a smoker and passively inhaling cigarette smoke are nearly twice as likely to develop hearing issues than those who do not.

Why & how does smoking affect our ears?

Cigarettes contain nicotine and carbon monoxide, these lower the body’s blood oxygen levels, and constrict blood vessels throughout the body including the blood vessels in the ear – these blood vessels are vital to how we hear as they maintain the health of hair cells in the inner ear. Cigarette smoke contains many harmful chemicals (formaldehyde, benzene, arsenic, vinyl chloride, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide), and these chemicals can cause damage to the inner ear and hair cells lining the cochlea resulting in hearing loss.

Nicotine and cigarette smoke have many negative effects on the body some of which can be linked to issues with our ears.  Read on to find out some of the most common complaints that arise from smoking and why they happen…

Ear infections

The inhalation of cigarette smoke, (and the chemicals it contains), weakens the body’s immune system and damages tissue in the throat and nose. This damage to the throat and nose can result in an infection that can spread to the ears. Known as ‘otitis media’, (an infection in the middle ear, caused by bacteria or viruses from the mouth, eyes, or nasal passage), this infection can cause symptoms such as blocked ears, hearing impairment, ear pain, fever, and a build-up of fluid within the ear. It is not uncommon for smokers (and passive smokers) to have recurrent ear infections or longer healing times as smoking can hinder recovery. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms of an ear infection, contact your GP.

Otitis media is not the only infection in the ear that can arise from smoking. It can also cause problems in our Eustachian tubes which can consequently cause an infection.

Eustachian tube blockages

The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the pharynx (the back of the nose and throat). Eustachian tubes open and close to prevent fluid or air pressure from building inside the ear. In the Eustachian tubes are tiny hairs that aid in moving mucus from the middle ear to the back of the throat. Smoking can damage the tiny hairs, and mucus can build up and cause a blockage or infection. Smoking can also irritate tissue and adenoids at the back of the nose and throat causing them to swell or enlarge blocking the eustachian tubes. When blocked, you may experience hearing loss, feeling of fullness in the ear, tinnitus, pain, or a tickling sensation within the ear. If symptoms don’t subside within a few days speak to your GP.

Hearing loss

Hearing loss caused by smoking is the result of the various effects that cigarette smoke and nicotine have on the body. Nicotine and chemicals in cigarette smoke can cause the blood vessels in the ears to constrict or become damaged, interfere with neurotransmitters in the auditory nerve, trigger the release of free radicals (which can damage DNA causing disease), and cause tinnitus.

Smoking negatively impacts the function of blood vessels (and thus blood flow) in the body, including the ear. For healthy ears and hearing the ears need a constant supply of oxygen and blood to the vessels in the ear. The combination of these chemicals and nicotine can cause conditions such as hypoxia (not enough oxygen) and ischemia (insufficient blood flow). Without a healthy supply of blood and oxygen, tiny hair cells in the cochlear can become damaged - these hair cells are vital to hearing as they perceive the vibrations in the ear we later know as sound and convert them into electrical signals to be sent via the auditory nerve to the brain. These hair cells cannot be regenerated or fixed, when damaged it can result in permanent hearing impairment and tinnitus.

Smoking harms our cardiovascular system. As such, it can lead to a condition known as atherosclerosis – the thickening or hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis can affect the arteries supplying blood flow to the ear and cause indirect damage to the auditory system.

Smoking can also introduce free radicals into the body, they are unstable molecules that can damage cells within the body. They are highly reactive due to the presence of unpaired electrons; they seek out and capture electrons from other molecules causing a chain reaction of damage. The introduction of high numbers of free radicals in the body can damage cells in the ear and create oxidative stress (the imbalance of anti-oxidants and free radicals) resulting in cell damage in the ear, and interferes with neurotransmitters in the auditory nerve.

Is ear damage from smoking reversible or treatable?

Ear damage from smoking, particularly hearing loss, is generally not reversible. However, there are several methods to manage and treat the symptoms. Here are some options:

Quitting Smoking

Stopping smoking can prevent any further damage and promote better overall ear health. If smoking has caused inflammation in the ear stopping smoking may reduce this inflammation over time. Additionally, stopping smoking can improve blood flow to the inner ear to help recover some ear functions.

Hearing Aids

Once damaged your auditory nerve cannot be repaired. Depending on the severity of the damage you may be able to be successfully treated with hearing aids. Hearing aids are small electronic devices worn in or behind the ear which amplify sounds for the wearer.

Cochlear implants

If suffering from severe hearing loss cochlear implants may be recommended. A cochlear implant is an electronic medical device that bypasses damaged parts of the inner ear to directly stimulate the auditory nerve.

Regular check-ups

Having regular check-ups with your audiologist can help monitor and manage your hearing health.

Microsuction

Microsuction is primarily used for Ear Wax removal, although it cannot directly address the damage caused to your ears by smoking, it can help in many indirect ways to maintain your ear health.

As mentioned above, people who smoke are more at risk of developing ear infections which can lead to temporary hearing loss, or if not treated, cause damage to the ear causing more permanent hearing impairment. Using Microsuction to keep your ears clean can reduce the likelihood of an infection forming. Additionally, if you are already experiencing any hearing loss caused by smoking, removing any excess earwax can ensure that your remaining hearing capacity is maximized

Microsuction is always performed by a professional, it involves using a gentle vacuum device to remove any excess or hard ear wax from the ear canal using the guidance of a magnifying lens for precision and safety.

In conclusion, smoking and cigarette smoke are detrimental to both your body and ear health, continuing to smoke could put your hearing at risk. If you are already experiencing severe hearing impairment due to smoking, we suggest seeing your GP and enquiring about the potential treatments we mentioned above.

If you are keen to prevent any further damage to your ears or experience frequent ear infections don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. You can experience clearer hearing and better overall ear health with microsuction, a safe and effective method for removing ear wax and debris from your ear canal. Enquire today to see how we can help you.