Despite years of graphic anti-smoking campaigns and public smoking bans, people continue to light up - especially at home, where more than half of American children and teenagers are exposed to secondhand smoke. Scientists believe that passive smoke either causes or exacerbates lung cancer, asthma, learning disabilities, heart disease and other conditions and now a new study now finds that teenagers exposed to tobacco smoke may also have significant hearing loss - and not even know it. Here is, a brief guide:

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A study by Henry Ford Hospital shows a direct association between cotton swab use and ruptured eardrum. The good news: The study also shows that, in most cases, the rupture heals on its own and surgery is only necessary for the most severe cases. In fact 97% healed on their own. The authors of this study offer some good advice for cleaning your ears.

• Take cool peroxide, hot tap water and mix equally. Be sure it is body temperature and gently irrigate the ear one or two times per month.
• Take plain vinegar and water and use four or five drops in the ear once a week.
• See a doctor, who can remove ear wax for you.
• Try an over-the-counter treatment such as Debrox.

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Learning music may offset some of the effects of ageing and improve the listening ability of older generations, a study has found. Years spent playing a musical instrument "fine tunes" the nervous system, said scientists. As a result auditory memory - the ability to remember what is heard - and to distinguish sounds is improved.

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