It’s natural to want to learn about the side effects of a medication when you begin using it. Can it cause digestive problems? Will it dehydrate you? Make you drowsy? You may not even know about some of the more impactful side effects, like hearing loss. Ototoxicity is the medical term professionals have given this condition and there are many drugs that are known to cause it.
So can this problem be triggered by a lot of medications? Well, there are numerous medications recognized to cause an ototoxic reaction, but exactly how many is still somewhat uncertain. So which drugs do you personally need to be aware of?
What to know about ototoxicity
How is it possible for your hearing to be affected by medication? There are three distinct places certain drugs can damage your hearing:
- The cochlea: The cochlea is part of the inner ear, shaped like a seashell, that transforms sound waves into electrical signals which your brain translates into the sense of sound. Damage to the cochlea affects the range of sound you can hear, usually beginning with high frequencies then extending to include lower ones.
- The stria vascularis: Found in the cochlea, the stria vascularis makes endolymph, the fluid in the inner ear. Both balance and hearing are affected by too much or too little endolymph.
- The vestibule of the ear: This is the part of the ear that sits in the middle of the labyrinth that composes the cochlea. It helps manage balance. Vestibulotoxicity drugs can cause you to become dizzy or feel as if the room is spinning.
What is the risk level for each drug?
You might be surprised by the list of medications that can cause an ototoxic response. Several of them you likely have in your medicine cabinet even now, and it’s likely that you take them before you go to bed or when you have a headache.
At the top of the list of ototoxic medications are over-the-counter pain killers such as:
- Naproxen
- Ibuprofen
Aspirin, also known as salicylates, is on this list as well. When you stop using these drugs, your hearing will typically go back to normal.
Next on the list of common ototoxic drugs would be specific antibiotics. Some of these might be familiar:
- Streptomycin
- Kanamycin
- Tobramycin
Tinnitus can also be induced by several common compounds
Some medications might cause tinnitus and others could lead to loss of hearing. Here are a few ways tinnitus may present:
- Ringing
- Popping
- A whooshing sound
- Thumping
Specific diuretics will also cause tinnitus, here are some of the primary offenders:
- Nicotine
- Marijuana
- Tonic water
- Caffeine
You might not realize that the cup of coffee or black tea in the morning can trigger ringing in your ears. Here’s the good news, it should clear up once the drug is out of your system. Ironically, some medications doctors prescribe to treat tinnitus are also on the list of potential causes such as:
- Prednisone
- Lidocaine
- Amitriptyline
Usually, the tinnitus will end when you stop taking the medication but always consult your doctor, they will know what’s best for you.
Ototoxicity has specific symptoms
Depending on what specific medications you’re using and the health of your hearing, your particular symptoms will vary.
Be on guard for:
- Tinnitus
- Vomiting
- Poor balance
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty walking
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
Keep yourself informed by always asking your doctor about the possible side effects of a medication, don’t hesitate to ask about ototoxicity. If you experience ototoxicity we suggest immediately contacting your doctor to report 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.
Call Today to Set Up an Appointment
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331