Exposure to secondhand smoke could affect hearing development in children and increase their risk of hearing loss during adolescence.

A large number of children are exposed to secondhand smoke. These children are at risk for certain health problems, from respiratory infections to behavioral difficulties and otitis media (acute ear infection). Babies whose mothers smoked when pregnant are also at greater risk for low birth weight and other problems. Secondhand smoke may also have the potential to have an impact on hearing development.

Researchers questioned 1,533 teens in America about their health status and family medical history, exposure to secondhand smoke and their knowledge of whether or not they had a hearing problem. The teens were also given physicals, which included blood testing for cotinine (a byproduct of nicotine exposure) and hearing tests.

It was found that teens exposed to secondhand smoke had higher rates of low- and high-frequency hearing loss than their peers who were not exposed. The rate of hearing loss appeared to be cumulative, increasing with the level of cotinine detected by blood tests.  The study pointed out that more than 80 percent of the teens suffering from hearing loss didn't even realize they had impairment.

As hearing loss early in life can cause problems with development and functioning, these results have significant implications for public health since teenagers are not screened for hearing loss in the absence of risk factors for the condition. The researchers suggest that teens exposed to secondhand smoke should be more closely monitored for hearing impairment and they should also be educated about risk factors for hearing loss, such as noise exposure and secondhand smoke.

BDST: 1743 HRS, MAR- 21, 2016
Edited by:  Sharmina Islam, Lifestyle Editor