It’s normal to want to understand the side effects of a medication when you begin taking it. Can it trigger digestive problems? Will it dehydrate you? Make you drowsy? There could also be a more severe potential side effect that you might not think of – hearing loss. Ototoxicity is the medical name professionals have given this condition and there are many drugs that are known to cause it.
Specifically how many medications are there that can lead to this issue? The answer is unclear, but there are lots that are known to cause ototoxic symptoms. So which medications do you personally need to be aware of?
What to know about ototoxicity
How is it possible for your hearing to be impacted by medication? Your hearing can be damaged by medication in three distinct places:
- The stria vascularis: Situated in the cochlea, the stria vascularis generates 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 that sits in the middle of the labyrinth that makes up the cochlea. It helps regulate balance. Vestibulotoxicity drugs can cause you to become dizzy or feel as if the room is spinning.
- The cochlea: The cochlea is part of the inner ear, shaped like a seashell, that converts sound waves into electrical signals which your brain translates into the sense of sound. Damage to the cochlea impacts the range of sound you can hear, typically starting with high frequencies then extending to include lower ones.
What is the risk level for each drug?
You might be surprised by the list of drugs that can result in an ototoxic response. Ototoxic medications are pretty common and most individuals have a few of them in their medicine cabinets right now.
Over-the-counter pain medication including the following top the list:
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
You can add salicylates to the list, better known as aspirin. The hearing issues due to these drugs are typically reversible when you quit using them.
Antibiotics come in as a close second for common ototoxic medications. Some of these might be familiar:
- Streptomycin
- Tobramycin
- Kanamycin
There are also several other compounds that can cause tinnitus
Some drugs may cause tinnitus and others could lead to loss of hearing. Here are some ways tinnitus might present:
- Ringing
- A whooshing sound
- Thumping
- Popping
Various diuretics can also lead to tinnitus, including brand names Lasix, Bumex, and Diamox but the leading offenders in this category are things like:
- Nicotine
- Tonic water
- Marijuana
- Caffeine
Every single time you drink your coffee or black tea in the morning, you are exposing your body to something that may make your ears ring. Fortunately, once the diuretic has cleared your system, the ringing should go away. Ironically, some medications doctors prescribe to manage tinnitus are also on the list of potential causes such as:
- Lidocaine
- Amitriptyline
- Prednisone
Once you discontinue the medication, the symptoms should clear up, and your doctor will be there to help you with whatever you may need to know.
Ototoxicity has particular symptoms
Depending on what specific medications you’re taking and your hearing health, your particular symptoms will vary.
Be on guard for:
- Blurred vision
- Vomiting
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Difficulty walking
- Tinnitus
- Poor balance
Make sure you consult your doctor about any side effects the medication they prescribed might have, including ototoxicity. If you experience ototoxicity we recommend immediately contacting your doctor to talk about your symptoms, they will know the best course of action.
Also, schedule a hearing examination with us, a baseline hearing test is a practical step that can help you maintain good hearing health throughout your life.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331