Influence of smoking on contralateral suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions

Abstract

The present study attempted to determine the influence of smoking on contralateral suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE). It was attempted to determine the differences in the amount of contralateral suppression of DPOAE between smokers and non-smokers. In addition, correlation was also determined among duration of smoking, frequency of smoking and number of cigarettes per day on contralateral suppression of DPOAE. The study was carried out on 25 smokers and non-smokers. The results of the study showed that the amount of suppression was reduced in smokers at all the frequencies suggesting an efferent auditory system dysfunction. The increase in the duration of smoking, the frequency of smoking and the number of cigarattes smoked correlated negatively with the amount of suppression. This shows that chronic smoking habits increases the risk of efferent auditory damage. Thus, the present study highlights the ill-effects of smoking on efferent auditory system.