When you start on a course of medication, it’s normal to want to be informed about any potential side effects. Can it give you a stomach ache? Will it dehydrate you? Cause insomnia? There might also be a more severe possible side effect that you might not think of – hearing loss. Ototoxicity is the medical term professionals have given this condition and there are lots of drugs that are known to cause it.
So can this problem be triggered by a lot of drugs? Well, there are a number of medications recognized to cause an ototoxic response, but just how many is still rather uncertain. So, which ones do you need to pay attention to and why?
Ototoxicity – what you should know
How can a medication cause problems with your hearing after you take it? Your hearing can be harmed by medication in three distinct places:
- The stria vascularis: The stria vascularis is the portion of the cochlea that produces fluid known as endolymph. Too much or too little endolymph has a substantial effect on both hearing and balance.
- The cochlea: That’s the seashell-shaped part of the inner ear that takes sound and translates it into an electrical signal that the brain can comprehend. Damage to the cochlea affects the range of sound you can hear, typically starting with high frequencies then expanding to include lower ones.
- The vestibule of the ear: This is the portion of the ear situated in the middle of the labyrinth that makes up the cochlea. Its primary function is to regulate balance. Vestibulotoxicity medications can cause you to become dizzy or feel as if the room is spinning.
What is the risk level for each drug?
The checklist of drugs that can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss may surprise you. Ototoxic medications are rather common and most people have several of them in their medicine cabinets right now.
At the top of the list of ototoxic medications are over-the-counter pain relievers including:
- Naproxen
- Ibuprofen
You can add salicylates to the list, which is aspirin. The hearing issues due to these drugs are normally correctable when you stop taking them.
Antibiotics come in as a close second for prevalent ototoxic drugs. You might have heard of some of these:
- Tobramycin
- Kanamycin
- Streptomycin
Tinnitus can also be induced by several common compounds
Some medications might cause tinnitus and others could result in loss of hearing. Here are some ways tinnitus might present:
- Popping
- Ringing
- A whooshing sound
- Thumping
Certain diuretics will also trigger tinnitus, here are a few of the main offenders:
- Nicotine
- Marijuana
- Tonic water
- Caffeine
You might not be aware that the cup of coffee or black tea in the morning can cause ringing in your ears. The good news is it should clear up once the drug is out of your system. The following medications are prescribed to manage tinnitus but ironically, they are themselves diuretics:
- Prednisone
- Amitriptyline
- Lidocaine
Normally, the tinnitus will clear when you quit using the medication but always consult your doctor, they will know what’s best for you.
There are very distinct symptoms with an ototoxic response
Depending on what specific medications you’re taking and your hearing health, your particular symptoms will differ.
Be on guard for:
- Vomiting
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Tinnitus
- Poor balance
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty walking
Make sure you ask your doctor about any possible side effects the medication they prescribed may have, including ototoxicity. If you experience ototoxicity we suggest immediately contacting your doctor to talk about your symptoms, they will know what’s best.
Also, call us today to set up a hearing exam to establish a baseline of your hearing health.
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References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331