A study published in the American Journal of Medicine reports that the use of aspirin, acetaminophen and other pain killers can increase the risk of hearing loss in men under 50. Researchers found that the use of acetaminophen more than twice a week doubles the chance of hearing loss, ibuprofen and non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs increases the risk by nearly two thirds and the regular use of aspirin increases the risk by about a third.

Study participants were drawn from the Health Professionals follow up study, which tracked over 26,000 men every 2 years for 18 years. A questionnaire determined painkiller use, hearing loss and a variety of physiological, medical and demographic factors. The researchers cautioned that the study group involved only men and that most of them were Caucasian. It is not clear how the results might affect women and other racial groups.

Hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder in the United States, afflicting more than 36 million people. It is prevalent in the elderly, but about a third of those ages 40 to 49 already suffer some hearing loss. Common risk factors include loud noises, alcohol, hypertension, diabetes and the use of the diuretic furosemide. Studies in animals and anecdotal reports in humans indicate high doses of the pain can interfere with hearing, but there have been few studies looking at regular use and none studying acetaminophen according to the authors.