Vaping, Your Ears & Your Hearing

This article is for anyone who vapes or is considering starting, as well as their family members who have concerns about the risks vaping poses to ear health.

We will cover how vaping can negatively impact your ears, discussing conditions and problems such as ear infections, blocked ears, hearing loss, tinnitus, and itchy ears. Additionally, we will cover the treatments available for those suffering from ear problems related to vaping.

Can vaping cause issues with your ears?

Yes, it is believed that vaping can cause issues with your ears.

The research into vaping is limited, and some is largely anecdotal. However, it is widely believed that vaping poses many of the same risks and problems for our ears as smoking. Some studies have shown that vaping can restrict blood flow around the body due to the presence of Nicotine, which causes damage to blood vessels, and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels), all of which may result in hearing loss.

Additionally, vape liquids contain substances that are largely unregulated (the lack of regulation means the extent of the risks is yet to be determined) which may be harmful to the ears and our hearing health. For example, e-cigarettes typically contain a substance called propylene glycol, which has yet to be researched in context to vaping but has been studied regarding its use in ear drops and found to be harmful to the inner ear.

There are many ear problems that have been associated with vaping, including ear infections, blocked ears, hearing loss, and tinnitus. We’ll explore each one and why this happens below.

Ear Infections

An ear infection (known as Otitis Media) is when the middle ear becomes infected and leads to inflammation and fluid build-up behind the ear drum. 

Much like smoking, vaping, could have a negative impact on the body’s immune system. Vape liquids contain nicotine and other chemicals which have immunosuppression effects on the body. This is when the immune system is suppressed, making the body more susceptible to infections. Nicotine can impair cell signalling. When cell signalling pathways are impaired the normal functioning of immune cells are disrupted and the body’s ability to fight off infection is weakened.

Vaping may cause inflammation of the Eustachian tubes. This is due to the chemicals and nicotine in vape juice causing irritation to the lining of the tube. When inflamed the ability of the Eustachian tubes to open and close properly is impaired and can lead to a build-up of fluid in the ear. Having a build-up of fluid in the ear can create an environment for bacteria to thrive leading to infection.

Vaping may also negatively affect mucociliary clearance (the process of the body removing mucus and debris from the respiratory tract). If the body is unable to clear mucus and debris effectively it becomes more susceptible to infections, including those in the ear.

Blocked ears and ear pressure

Vaping may cause blocked ears and changes in ear pressure, as it can affect the function of the Eustachian tubes, cause inflammation and irritation, and cause the overproduction of earwax.

The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the pharynx (the back of the nose and throat). Eustachian tubes open and close to prevent air pressure or fluid from building up inside the ear. In the Eustachian tube are tiny hairs which help move mucus and debris from the middle ear to the back of the throat. Nicotine and other chemicals in vape liquid can restrict blood flow to these tiny hair cells causing constriction and damage. When this happens, mucus and debris can build up leading to a feeling of blockage or increased pressure in the ear. When the normal cleaning process of the ear canal is affected, it may lead to a build-up of earwax.

The chemicals used in vape liquids can irritate tissue and adenoids at the back of the throat and nose, this may cause inflammation or the adenoids to swell causing a feeling of blockage. This inflammation may also lead to the overproduction of earwax, as the body tries to protect itself from the irritation.

Much like smoking, vaping can also cause oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the production of harmful free radicals (unstable molecules that have an unpaired electron, making them highly reactive and capable of causing damage to cells) and the body's ability to neutralize them with antioxidants, leading to potential cellular damage. Oxidative stress may lead to further inflammation within the ear causing a blockage or the overproduction of earwax as the body tries to protect itself from the inflammation.

Hearing Loss

Vaping can constrict blood vessels within the ear which reduces blood flow and oxygen. Blood vessels require a constant supply of both blood and oxygen to function. The Nicotine and unregulated chemicals in vape liquids can cause conditions such as hypoxia (not enough oxygen) and ischemia (insufficient blood flow). Without a healthy supply of blood and oxygen the tiny hair cells in the cochlear can become damaged. These hair cells are crucial to hearing as they convert vibrations in the ear to electrical signals to be sent via the auditory nerve to the brain, these signals are what we then perceive as sound. Damage done to these hair cells is irreversible and can result in permanent hearing loss or tinnitus.

Vaping may also put stress on or harm our cardiovascular system leading to a condition known as atherosclerosis – the hardening or thickening of arteries. This condition can indirectly harm the auditory system by further restricting blood flow to the ears.

As mentioned previously, vaping can also put the body into a state of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can cause cell damage within the ear, damage delicate structures within the ear, and interfere with neurotransmitters in the auditory nerve, which could lead to hearing loss.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a condition where a ringing, buzzing, hissing or humming sound is heard despite there being no external source. It can vary in pitch and intensity and can be bilateral (heard in both ears) or unilateral (heard in one ear).

Vaping may cause tinnitus due to several factors, primarily involving the unregulated and potentially harmful chemicals in vape liquids, and the effects of nicotine on the body. The Nicotine in vape liquids constricts blood vessels and reduces blood flow to the inner ear, damaging cells in the cochlear responsible for hearing. When these hair cells are damaged the brain can misinterpret the signals it receives, leading to the perception of sound which isn’t there.

The chemicals in vape juice (such as acrolein and formaldehyde) can cause oxidative stress and inflammation of the auditory system. Inflammation and damage within the ear can disrupt normal hearing processes and lead to tinnitus.

Tinnitus may also occur as a symptom of an ear infection, blockage in the ear, or the over-production of earwax when the body attempts to fight the irritation in the ear.

Itchy Ears

Vaping may also cause the sensation of itchy ears. Although there is not much research into this area of vaping and the ears, it is believed that the chemicals in vape liquids can irritate the skin inside the ear causing a sensation of itchy ears. Additionally, the irritation vaping can cause on Eustachian tubes, the potential for ear infections, and inflammation can also result in a feeling of irritation and itchiness inside the ear.

Is ear damage from Vaping reversible or treatable?

Ear damage from vaping is treatable but unlikely to be reversible. Once hair cells in the cochlear are damaged they do not regenerate and can lead to permanent hearing loss. There are many treatments available to ease symptoms of hearing loss, tinnitus and blockage:

Hearing Aids

For those experiencing hearing loss, hearing aids can amplify sounds and improve hearing ability. Hearing aids are small electronic devices which amplify sound for the user. They consist of a microphone to pick up sound, an amplifier to increase the volume of the sound, and a speaker to deliver the sound into the ear. Hearing aids can also be used in the treatment of tinnitus. The amplification of external sounds can mask the internal ringing in the ears. Some more advanced hearing aids can also offer tinnitus management features, such as sound therapy and white noise generation.

Cochlear Implants

In severe cases of hearing loss, cochlear implants may be an option to directly stimulate the auditory nerve. Cochlear implants are electronic medical devices which bypass parts of the inner ear to directly stimulate the auditory nerve. They consist of an external processor to capture sound signals, and an internal implant to convert these signals into electrical impulses, these impulses are then sent to the brain to be perceived as sound.

Sound Therapy

Sound therapy using white noise or other sounds to help mask the ringing or buzzing of tinnitus. Sound therapy aims to mask tinnitus sounds and help the brain become more accustomed to it. This form of the therapy can either be through hearing aids, sound generators, smartphone apps, or it can be done at home with fans, gentle music, open windows etc.

Lifestyle Changes

The best way to prevent further damage to your ears is to stop vaping (or not to start!). The damage done to your ears is not reversible, only treatable.

Micro suction

If suffering with earwax build-up or feeling of blockage in your ears, then a micro suction treatment can help to alleviate symptoms. Micro-suction is a safe and effective way to remove earwax and debris from the ear canal. A painless treatment performed by a specialist, micro-suction uses a small suction device to gently remove any excess wax or debris in the ear canal. It can offer relief (in most cases almost instantly) from symptoms such as tinnitus, ear pressure and blockage.

Conclusion

Vaping and e-cigarettes may pose a serious risk to our ear health. Although there have been limited studies and research into their effects on our ears, it is believed that vaping shares many of the risks associated with smoking.

The effects of vaping are not reversible, but there are many treatments available to help alleviate symptoms. If you are experiencing any hearing loss, blockage, or a feeling of fullness in your ears, micro-suction treatment can help. Micro-suction is a safe and effective way to remove earwax and debris, offering relief from symptoms like tinnitus, blockage and increased ear pressure.

Take the first step towards better ear health and contact us today to see how we can help.