Individual and synergistic effects of smoking and noise on hearing

This study is aimed at investigating the effects of smoking, noise and combination of both on hearing. Sixty male participants with an age range of 20-40 who were divided into four groups were recruited for the study. Group I served as control participants and the remaining groups served as experimental participants with sensorineural hearing loss. Results revealed a significant correlation with smoking, noise and combination of both and hearing sensitivity particularly at higher frequencies. These effects were further pronounced in subjects who were exposed to both smoking and noise. Apart from ultra high frequencies, 2 kHz-6 kHz frequency range found to be mostly affected under regular audiometric frequencies.