Hard of hearing at the pub – surprise UK research
A quiet drink at the pub could take on a whole new meaning with new British research showing that alcohol consumption can reduce a person’s hearing faculty.
The researchers found through testing 30 volunteers that alcohol temporarily interfered with the drinker’s hearing, especially when it came to discerning the sounds of conversation.
As the study participants drank more their hearing became less acute, particularly when it came to lower frequency hearing which is essential for distinguishing speech in any group conversational setting.
In the study report published in the online journal BMC Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders the researchers found that the higher a drinker’s alcohol level the greater the loss in hearing. This was short-lived during the study but the researchers said that it was possible that regular drinking over time could alter the person’s hearing ability.
