There is a strong and well-studied correlation between smoking and hearing loss. Vaping is rising in popularity as an alternative to smoking, especially among younger demographics, but it appears that vaping has similar risks to smoking cigarettes. Let’s discuss the potential effects smoking can have on your hearing.
What Is the Impact of Nicotine?
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance found in cigarettes and most vaping devices. It constricts blood vessels, restricting blood flow and lowering blood oxygen levels throughout the body, including the ear. The delicate cochlea in the inner ear relies on a blood supply to function properly, and reduced blood flow can cause long-lasting damage to the cochlea. Decreased blood flow also changes blood pressure, causing the inner ear to struggle with processing sound.
There are vaping devices that are nicotine-free, but these may come with their own problems. Vape juice—which gives the vape its flavor—contains ototoxic chemicals, which are damaging to the inner ear.
How Can Respiratory Inflammation Impact Hearing?
Smoke and vapor in your lungs irritate and cause inflammation in the respiratory system, which can in turn cause a respiratory infection. Upper respiratory infections can cause swelling in the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ears to the back of the throat. If these tubes swell shut, fluid can’t drain from the ear to the throat. The buildup of this fluid can cause pressure and muffle sounds. If the buildup progresses further, it can lead to an ear infection, which can cause hearing loss.
What Is Oxidative Damage and How Does It Affect Hearing?
Smoking and vaping introduce chemicals to the body that can cause oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when your body has a molecular imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants. In this state, free radicals steal electrons from other, more stable molecules, which can cause lasting damage to the cells. The hair cells of the cochlea are sensitive to this kind of cellular damage, and since these hair cells do not regenerate, it can lead to lifelong damage, resulting in a hearing impairment.
What Can I Do About It?
If this sounds worrying to you, don’t fret. Studies show that former smokers measure better on hearing tests than persistent smokers. While the damage done to the cochlea can’t be reversed, you can prevent further damage by quitting smoking and consulting an audiologist. Wilmington Audiology Services can perform a hearing test to determine what, if any, damage has been done to your hearing and create a customized treatment plan with you.