A STUDY ON EFFECT OF SMOKING ON HEARING IN POPULATION VISITING IN TERTIATRY CARE HOSPITAL OF WESTERN UTTAR PRADESH

Introduction: Few of the studies advocate that cigarette smoking is highly associated with the development of hearing loss both Conductive and Sensorineural type. However, comprehensive audiological evaluation on smokers has been scarce. Thus there is an extremely important need to assess the hearing status in smokers and to view pathophysiology of auditory system in greater detail which has been carried in this study. Aims and Objective of the study : To study the incidence of hearing loss in rural population by pure tone audiometry and to study the effect of smoking on hearing loss Methodology: The population included in the study was from the rural area of various age groups in Western Uttar Pradesh and were screened for hearing loss. Their detailed history was taken. Their personal history and life style habits like smoking and consumption of alcohol were noted. The rate of smoking was calculated by number of Pack Years. Following a complete examination to rule out any disease the individuals were subjected to pure tone audiogram under the frequencies 500,1000,2000,4000. The data was collected in the Performa and was evaluated by statistics. Result: According to our analysis, individuals in the smoking group had signicantly increased hearing loss compared to those in the nonsmoking group. These results are consistent with early clinical studies reporting decreased hearing sensitivity in smokers compared with nonsmokers. In the present study, pathological auditory involvement is clearly evident in smokers. The pure tone audiometric nding indicated reduced hearing sensitivity. Sensorineural hearing loss was more prevalent in smokers. Mild sensorineural hearing loss occurs in cigarette smokers.