It’s normal to want to learn about the side effects of a medication when you begin taking it. Can it cause digestive issues? Will it cause your mouth to dry out? Cause sleeplessness? There may 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.
Exactly how many medications are there that can cause this issue? Well, there are numerous medications known to trigger an ototoxic response, but exactly how many is still somewhat uncertain. So, which ones should you pay attention to and why?
Ototoxicity – what you should know
How is it possible for your hearing to be impacted by medication? There are three different places certain drugs can harm your hearing:
- The vestibule of the ear: The cochlea is like a labyrinth, and sitting right in the center is the vestibule of the ear. Its principal function is to regulate balance. Vestibulotoxicity medications can cause you to get dizzy or feel like the room is spinning.
- The stria vascularis: Situated in the cochlea, the stria vascularis makes endolymph, the fluid in the inner ear. Both balance and hearing are impacted by too much or too little endolymph.
- 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 perception of sound. When the cochlea is damaged, you will begin to lose some frequencies of sound, especially in the high-frequency range.
Do different drugs have different threat levels?
You may be surprised by the list of medications that can result in an ototoxic reaction. Several of them you most likely have in your medicine cabinet even now, and chances are you take them before you go to bed or when you’re dealing with a headache.
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. When you quit taking these medications, your hearing will usually go back to normal.
Next on the list of common ototoxic drugs would be specific antibiotics. Some of these may be familiar:
- Tobramycin
- Kanamycin
- Streptomycin
Tinnitus can also be induced by several common compounds
Hearing loss can be the outcome of some drugs and others may cause tinnitus. Here are some ways tinnitus might present:
- Popping
- Ringing
- Thumping
- A whooshing sound
Various diuretics can also result in tinnitus, including brand names Lasix, Bumex, and Diamox but the leading offenders in this category are things like:
- Caffeine
- Tonic water
- Marijuana
- Nicotine
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. The following medications are prescribed to manage tinnitus but ironically, they are themselves diuretics:
- Amitriptyline
- Lidocaine
- Prednisone
After you discontinue the medication, the symptoms should go away, and your doctor will be there to help you with whatever you may need to know.
There are very specific symptoms with an ototoxic response
The signs or symptoms of tinnitus differ based on your ear health and which medication you get.
Be on guard for:
- Poor balance
- Tinnitus
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty walking
Make sure you consult 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 report your symptoms, they will know the best course of action.
Also, schedule a hearing examination 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