Analgesic use and the risk of hearing loss in men.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Prospective longitudinal cohort study
PubMed 20193831 · doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2009.08.006
What was done
A prospective cohort study evaluated 26,917 men aged 40–74 years at baseline in 1986. Participants completed questionnaires at baseline and every 2 years thereafter. Regular analgesic use was categorized as 2 or more times per week versus less than 2 times per week for aspirin, NSAIDs, and acetaminophen. The primary outcome was self-reported, professionally diagnosed incident hearing loss. Associations were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards multivariate regression across 369,079 person-years of follow-up.
What was found
During follow-up, 3,488 incident cases of hearing loss occurred. Compared with use less than 2 times per week, multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios for regular use were: - Aspirin: HR 1.12 (95% CI, 1.04–1.20) - NSAIDs: HR 1.21 (95% CI, 1.11–1.33) - Acetaminophen: HR 1.22 (95% CI, 1.07–1.39) Risk increased with longer duration of regular use for NSAIDs and acetaminophen. The associations were stronger among men younger than 50 years (HR 1.33 for aspirin, HR 1.61 for NSAIDs, HR 1.99 for acetaminophen).
Why it matters
Because analgesics are among the most frequently consumed medications worldwide, identifying their independent link with hearing loss highlights a potentially modifiable risk factor, particularly in younger men.
Limits
The study included only men, limiting generalizability to women. Hearing loss was self-reported based on professional diagnosis rather than objective audiometric testing. Specific dosages and underlying pain indications were not detailed in the abstract, leaving room for residual confounding.
Cited by
- supports Regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, defined as at least twice a week, increases the risk of developing hearing loss across all age groups.