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BY: JING ZHAO
You're watching multisource health video news analysis from Newsy.
If you’re asked about the dangers of second hand smoke, you probably list health-related issues like heart disease, lung cancer, asthma attacks and so forth.
But researchers have linked secondhand smoke to another issue -- hearing loss.
“This morning on our ‘healthwatch,’ secondhand smoke may be causing hearing loss. New research from New York University finds the risk of hearing loss nearly doubles when teenagers are exposed to second hand smoke. Children exposed to cigarette smoke performed worst in every sound frequency test.”
According to the LA Times, scientists from New York University conducted research with 1,533 kids ages 12 to 19.
“The scientists … found that kids who were exposed to secondhand smoke had higher rates of both low-frequency and high-frequency hearing loss. The study showed a correlation between higher cotinine levels and a greater degree of hearing loss.”
One scientist explains to WNBC - the relationship between second hand smoke and hearing. They suspect smoke affects blood supply to the ear.
Dr. Linda Dahl: “It’s known that smoking can actually affect the small blood vessels around the cochlea, which is where hearing takes place, and permanently damage it.”
Another finding -- the teenagers in the study didn’t complain of any hearing difficulty. One researcher told The New York Times...
“Most kids, about 85 percent, were unaware of their hearing loss … You can’t rely on self-reports.”
Though further research is needed to prove the causal relationship between second hand smoke and hearing loss, the researchers say a little caution isn’t a bad idea.
“...in the future, they're looking to determine whether the risk of hearing loss will simply go away if you eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke. But meanwhile, [the lead author] recommends that adolescents who are exposed to secondhand [smoke] get their hearing screened.” (NPR)
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Transcript by Newsy.
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