Low and high frequency tonal threshold audiometry: comparing hearing thresholds between smokers and non-smokers

Abstract

Ci garette smoking can cause many potentially fatal diseases and worsen others. Numerous studies have shown the relationship between smoking and hearing loss. However, the increase in auditory threshold in high frequency arising from smoking has been very little described. Aim: to compare low and high frequency auditory thresholds among a group of smoking and non-smoking male individuals between 18 and 40 years. Study design: Cross-sectional. Materials and Methods: by means of low and high frequency tonal threshold audiometry we studied 30 male individuals between 18 and 40 years and 30 non-smokers of matching age and gender. Results: auditory thresholds were different between smokers and non-smokers, being worse in the former. Although within normal ranges, auditory thresholds in low frequencies were higher among smokers. In high frequencies we noticed a marked increase in auditory thresholds among smokers. Conclusion: we found statistically significant difference in auditory thresholds in low and high frequencies, among young male individuals, smokers and non-smokers, being worse in the former.

Avaliação auditiva periférica em crianças com síndrome de Down

“…Regarding conventional audiometry hearing thresholds, there was no difference between left and right ears or for the SRT and SDI speech tests, which is in agreement with a previous study (22) .…”

Incidence of high-frequency hearing loss after microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm

“…Broken tip links were detected after acoustic overstimulation, which resulted in reduced hair bundle stiffness, disrupted mechanoelectric transduction and temporary noise-induced hearing loss. 1,22,34 Reduced blood flow and free radical formation in the cochlea were also regarded as essential mechanisms in noise-induced hearing loss. 16 Although conductive hearing loss and nonserviceable hearing loss can affect postoperative audiometric testing, we found a significant number of patients with exclusive HFHL, suggesting that mechanisms independent of direct iatrogenic auditory nerve trauma are at play.…”

“…27,34 The recovery may take place over a 2-to 4-week period. 1,11,22 We did not have long-term follow-up audiograms to evaluate hearing improvement. Karatas et al 15 noted the temporary influence of the drill noise on the contralateral ear with the deteriorated amplitudes on Day 0 and progressive improvement leading to preoperative normal values within 72-96 hours.…”

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“…Among other effects of noise, one can refer to physiological effects such as cardiovascular complications and psychological effects include anxiety, anger, and depression. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] It has been estimated that more than 500 million people all worldwide may be at risk of hearing loss caused by noise (NIHL). [3,9,10] NIHL as the most serious health effects, which is caused by noise, is a permanent and irreversible damage in the inner ear which is completely preventable.…”

“…[6,13] Lab methods and modern equipment have provided significant help for recognition and further studies on the pathology of the ear and hearing loss. [7,14,15] Hearing damage or hearing loss is usually specified using pure-tone audiometry (PTA) test or audiometry which its normal amount is between 0 and 25 dB, and gentle damages begin from up to 26 dB. [8,16] Since the tests suffer from limitations such as needing to the cooperation of under test person, being non-objectivity, low sensitivity in detecting lesions, and unable to provide precise details about changes caused by exposing to the noise, therefore more precise test are needed for this purpose.…”