Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 21, 2025

Cigarette Smoke Exposure in Mice using a Whole-Body Inhalation System
Published on: October 22, 2020
Cigarette Smoking, Smoking Cessation, and Risk of Hearing Loss in Women
Brian M Lin1, Molin Wang2, Konstantina M Stankovic3
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
Background:
Previous studies demonstrated higher risk of hearing loss among cigarette smokers, but longitudinal data on whether the risk is influenced by smoking cessation are limited. We prospectively investigated relations between smoking, smoking cessation, and risk of self-reported moderate or worse hearing loss among 81,505 women in the Nurses' Health Study II (1991-2013).
Methods:
Information on smoking and hearing status was obtained from validated biennial questionnaires. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate multivariable-adjusted relative risks (MVRR, 95% confidence interval).
Results:
During 1,533,214 person-years of follow-up, 2760 cases of hearing loss were reported. Smoking was associated with higher risk of hearing loss and the risk tended to be higher with greater number of pack-years smoked. Compared with never smokers, the MVRR (95% confidence interval) among past smokers with 20+ pack-years of smoking was 1.30 (1.09-1.55) and 1.21 (1.02-1.43) for current smokers. The magnitude of elevated risk diminished with greater time since smoking cessation. Compared with never smokers, the MVRR among smokers who quit <5 years prior was 1.43 (1.17-1.75); 5-9 years prior was 1.27 (1.03-1.56); 10-14 years prior was 1.17 (0.96-1.41); and plateaued thereafter. Additional adjustment for pack-years smoking attenuated the results.
Conclusions:
The higher risk of hearing loss associated with smoking may diminish over time after quitting.
More Related Videos
10:47Isolation of Mouse Respiratory Epithelial Cells and Exposure to Experimental Cigarette Smoke at Air Liquid Interface
Published on: February 21, 2011
07:13Modified Experimental Conditions for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Mice and Assessment of Hearing Function and Outer Hair Cell Damage
Published on: February 10, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Statistical Methods for Analyzing Epidemiological Data
Stimulants
Cocaine can be administered via snorting, injection, or smoking. It primarily functions by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, resulting in a euphoric high characterized by an intense sensation of happiness and...
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by...
Lifestyle Factors and Health
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
Cancer Prevention
Some...