Smoking and drinking habits as risk factors for hearing loss in the elderly epidemiological study of subjects undergoing routine health checks in Aichi, Japan

• Published in: Public health (London) Vol. 115; no. 3; pp. 192 - 196
• Main Author: Itoh, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 01.05.2001
• Subjects: Aged; Alcohol Drinking - adverse effects; Case-Control Studies; Deafness - epidemiology; Deafness - etiology; elderly; Epidemiologic Studies; Female; Humans; Japan; Japan - epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Multiphasic Screening; Risk Factors; Smoking - adverse effects; Smoking - epidemiology; Japan
• ISSN: 0033-3506
• DOI: 10.1016/S0033-3506(01)00442-5

In order to determine the risk factors for hearing loss in the elderly, a total of 496 subjects with bilateral hearing loss and 2807 age-matched persons without hearing disturbance were recruited from the participants in an automated multiphasic health screening examination, and their lifestyle and medical data were analysed. Current smokers showed a significantly increased risk of hearing loss compared with non-smokers (odds ratio after adjustment for sex, age, and potential confounders=2.10 (1.53-2.89)), while heavy drinkers did not show an increased risk compared to non-drinkers. Our findings might provide some clues for the primary prevention of age-related hearing loss.