Effect of passive smoking on auditory temporal resolution in children

ObjectiveTo determine the effect of passive smoking on auditory temporal resolution in primary school children, based on the hypothesis that individuals who are exposed to smoking exhibit impaired performance.DesignAuditory temporal resolution was evaluated using the Gaps In Noise (GIN) test. Exposure to passive smoking was assessed by measuring nicotine metabolite (cotinine) excreted in the first urine of the day.Study sampleThe study included 90 children with mean age of 10.2 ± 0.1 years old from a public school in São Paulo. Participants were divided into two groups: a study group, comprising 45 children exposed to passive smoking (cotinine > 5 ng/mL); and a control group, constituting 45 children who were not exposed to passive smoking. All participants had normal audiometry and immittance test results.ResultsStatistically significant differences (p < 0.005) in performance on the GIN test were found between the two groups, with mean thresholds of 5.3 ms and 68.9% correct responses in the study group versus 4.6 ms and 74.0% in the control group.ConclusionThe children exposed to passive smoking had poorer performance both in terms of thresholds and correct responses percentage on auditory temporal resolution assessment.