阅读理解。
A new study has revealed that non-smokers who repeatedly breathe in others' tobacco smoke are more
likely to have some degree of hearing loss. Researchers studied a total of 3307 adults aged between 20 and
69. The degree of hearing loss in each ear was assessed by testing the ability to hear pure tones over a range
of frequencies from 500 Hz (low) to 8000 Hz (high).
Men, those who were older, and those with diabetes (糖尿病) were significantly more likely to have high
frequency hearing loss. And this was true of those who were former smokers and those who had never
smoked. But even after taking account of these factors, both former and passive smoking were associated
with damaged hearing.
Former smokers were significantly more likely to have damaged hearing. The prevalence (流行程度) of
low to mid frequency hearing loss among this group was 14 percent. And almost half (over 46 percent) had
high frequency hearing loss. Although the risk was not as strong among those who had never smoked,
almost one in 10 (8.6 percent) had low to mid frequency hearing loss and one in four (26.6 percent) had high
frequency hearing loss.
And the stronger findings among former smokers suggested that continued passive smoking in this group,
even at low levels, could continue the progression of high frequency hearing loss that began when they were
active smokers, say the authors.
"Further research is required to determine whether passive smoking increases the effect of noise exposure
and aging on hearing," they conclude."If this finding is independently confirmed, then hearing loss can b
e added to the growing list of health consequences associated with exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke."
The study was published online in Tobacco Control.
1. Who are most likely to damage their hearing?
A. Those who had never smoked.
B. Former smokers with diabetes.
C. Non-smokers who are older.
D. Teenagers exposed to noise.
2. The author uses figures in Paragraph 3 to ______.
A. explain the hearing test results
B. assess passive smoke exposure
C. indicate the degree of damaged hearing
D. measure the range of hearing frequency
3. According to the last paragraph, passive smoking ______.
A. can only cause hearing loss
B. increases risks of noise exposure
C. weakens the process of aging
D. may do more damage to health
4. What can be inferred from the text?
A. We should try to avoid contact with tobacco smoke.
B. More research on smoking is being carried out.
C. Hearing loss may lead to many social problems.
D. Active smokers are in great need of help.
5. The text is meant to ______.
A. introduce a new study
B. advise giving up smoking
C. arouse attention to hearing
D. show concern for non-smokers
