Painkillers & Deafness

Men regularly taking painkillers are much more likely to suffer hearing loss. Researchers say a new study shows men, especially young men, taking paracetamol at least twice a week doubled the risk of mild to severe deafness before their 50th birthday. Painkillers like aspirin and ibuprofen were also linked to hearing loss. Scientists at Harvard University tracked more than 26,000 men for 18 years and found nearly 3,500 reported some type of hearing loss. The study did not include women. Details are in The American Journal of Medicine.