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Blood lead levels well below the current recommended action level are associated with substantially increased odds of high-frequency hearing loss.

Objective Hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder in the US, afflicting over 36 million people. Cardiovascular risk factors have been associated with hearing loss risk in cross-sectional studies, but prospective data are currently lacking. Methods We prospectively evaluated the association between diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, smoking and body mass index (BMI) and incidence of hearing loss. Participants were 26,917 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, aged 40-74 years at baseline in 1986. Study participants completed questionnaires about lifestyle and medical history every two years. Information on self-reported professionally diagnosed hearing loss and year of diagnosis was obtained from the 2004 questionnaire, and cases were defined as hearing loss diagnosed between 1986 and 2004. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results 3,488 cases of hearing loss were identified. History of hypertension (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.88-1.03), diabetes mellitus (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.78-1.08), or obesity (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.90-1.15 for BMI≥30 compared to normal range of 19-24.9) was not significantly associated with hearing loss risk, while hypercholesterolemia (HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.18) and past smoking history (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.17) were associated with a significantly increased risk of hearing loss after multivariate adjustment. Conclusion A history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or obesity is not associated with increased risk of hearing loss, while a history of past smoking or hypercholesterolemia has a small but statistically significant association with increased risk of hearing loss in adult males.

Objective Hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder in the US, afflicting over 36 million people. Higher intakes of vitamins C, E, beta carotene, B12 and folate have been proposed to reduce the risk of hearing loss. Study Design We prospectively evaluated the association between intake from foods and supplements of vitamins C, E, beta carotene, B12, and folate and the incidence of hearing loss. Setting Health Professionals Follow-up Study Subjects and Methods 26,273 men aged 40–75 years at baseline in 1986. Participants completed questionnaires about lifestyle and medical history every two years and diet every four years. Information on self-reported professionally diagnosed hearing loss and year of diagnosis was obtained from the 2004 questionnaire and cases were defined as hearing loss diagnosed between 1986 and 2004. Cox proportional hazards multivariate regression was used to adjust for potential confounders. Results There were 3,559 cases of hearing loss identified. Overall, there was no significant association between vitamin intake and risk of hearing loss. Among men 60 years and older, total folate intake was associated with a reduced risk of hearing loss; the relative risk for men ≥ 60 years old in the highest compared to the lowest quintile of folate intake was 0.79 (95% confidence interval 0.65–0.96). Conclusions Higher intake of vitamin C, E, B12, or beta carotene does not reduce the risk of hearing loss in adult males. Men 60 years of age and older may benefit from higher folate intake to reduce the risk of developing hearing loss.

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Background-Hearing loss is a common sensory disorder, yet prospective data on potentially modifiable risk factors are limited. Regularly used analgesics, the most commonly used drugs in the US, may be ototoxic and contribute to hearing loss.

Objective-Hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder in the US, afflicting over 36 million people. Cardiovascular risk factors have been associated with hearing loss risk in crosssectional studies, but prospective data are currently lacking.Methods-We prospectively evaluated the association between diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, smoking and body mass index (BMI) and incidence of hearing loss. Participants were 26,917 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, aged 40-74 years at baseline in 1986. Study participants completed questionnaires about lifestyle and medical history every two years.Information on self-reported professionally diagnosed hearing loss and year of diagnosis was obtained from the 2004 questionnaire, and cases were defined as hearing loss diagnosed between 1986 and 2004. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression models.Results-3,488 cases of hearing loss were identified. History of hypertension (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.88-1.03), diabetes mellitus (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.78-1.08), or obesity (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.90-1.15 for BMI≥30 compared to normal range of 19-24.9) was not significantly associated with hearing loss risk, while hypercholesterolemia (HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.18) and past smoking history (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.17) were associated with a significantly increased risk of hearing loss after multivariate adjustment.Conclusion-A history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or obesity is not associated with increased risk of hearing loss, while a history of past smoking or hypercholesterolemia has a small but statistically significant association with increased risk of hearing loss in adult males.