When you start on a course of medication, it’s normal to want to be educated about any possible side effects. Can it cause digestive problems? Will it dehydrate you? Make you sleepy? There could also be a more severe potential side effect that you may not think of – hearing loss. Ototoxicity is the medical name professionals have given this condition and there are lots of drugs that are known to cause it.
Exactly how many drugs are there that can result in this problem? Well, there are a number of medications known to cause an ototoxic reaction, but just how many is still rather unclear. So which medications do you personally need to know about?
Ototoxicity – what you should know
How is it possible for your hearing to be impacted by medication? There are three different places specific drugs can harm your hearing:
- The cochlea: That’s the seashell-shaped part of the inner ear that receives sound and translates it into an electrical signal that the brain can understand. Damage to the cochlea impacts the range of sound you can hear, usually starting with high frequencies then extending to include lower ones.
- The stria vascularis: Situated in the cochlea, the stria vascularis produces endolymph, the fluid in the inner ear. Too much or too little endolymph has a significant effect on both hearing and balance.
- The vestibule of the ear: This is the part of the ear situated in the middle of the labyrinth that composes the cochlea. It helps manage balance. Vestibulotoxicity drugs can cause you to become dizzy or feel like the room is spinning.
Do different drugs have different risk levels?
The checklist of medications that can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss may surprise you. Ototoxic medications are fairly common and most people have a few of them in their medicine cabinets right now.
Topping the list of ototoxic medications are over-the-counter pain killers such as:
- Naproxen
- Ibuprofen
You can add salicylates to the list, better known as aspirin. The hearing problems caused by these drugs are typically reversible when you stop using them.
Next on the list of common ototoxic drugs would be specific antibiotics. Some of these might be familiar:
- Tobramycin
- Streptomycin
- Kanamycin
There are also a number of other compounds that can cause tinnitus
Some drugs might cause tinnitus and others could result in loss of hearing. If you hear phantom noises, that may be tinnitus and it typically shows up as:
- A whooshing sound
- Ringing
- Thumping
- Popping
Some diuretics can also result in tinnitus, including brand names Lasix, Bumex, and Diamox but the primary offenders in this category are things like:
- Tonic water
- Marijuana
- Nicotine
- Caffeine
You may not realize that the cup of coffee or black tea in the morning can cause ringing in your ears. The good news is it should improve after the chemical is out of your system. Ironically, some drugs doctors prescribe to manage tinnitus are also on the list of potential causes such as:
- Amitriptyline
- Lidocaine
- Prednisone
Normally, the tinnitus will end when you quit using the medication but always consult your doctor, they will know what’s best for you.
Ototoxicity has particular symptoms
The signs or symptoms of tinnitus vary depending on your hearing health and which medication you get.
Here are a few things to check out for:
- Tinnitus
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Poor balance
- Difficulty walking
Keep yourself informed by always asking your physician about the possible side effects of a medication, don’t hesitate to ask about ototoxicity. If you experience ototoxicity we suggest that you contact your doctor to report your symptoms, they will know the best course of action.
Also, schedule a hearing exam with us, a baseline hearing test is a proactive step that can help you preserve good hearing health throughout your life.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331
