It’s normal to want to learn about the side effects of a medication when you begin taking it. Can it trigger digestive issues? Will it cause your mouth to dry out? Cause insomnia? You may not even be aware of some of the more impactful side effects, including hearing loss. Ototoxicity is the medical name professionals have given this condition and there are lots of drugs that are known to cause it.
So can this issue be caused by a lot of drugs? The answer is uncertain, but there are lots that are recognized to cause ototoxic symptoms. So, which ones should you pay attention to and why?
What you need to know about ototoxicity
How is it possible for your hearing to be affected 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. Both balance and hearing are affected by too much or too little endolymph.
- The vestibule of the ear: The cochlea is like a labyrinth, and sitting right in the center is the vestibule of the ear. Its main function is to regulate balance. Vestibulotoxicity medications can cause you to get dizzy or feel as if the room is spinning.
- 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 compromised, you will start to lose some frequencies of sound, especially in the high-frequency range.
What is the risk level for each drug?
The checklist of medications that can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss might surprise you. Many of them you most likely have in your medicine cabinet even now, and it’s likely that 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 relievers such as:
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
You can add salicylates to the list, which is aspirin. The hearing problems due to these drugs are generally reversible when you stop using them.
Next on the list of common ototoxic medications would be specific antibiotics. You might have heard of some of these:
- Tobramycin
- Kanamycin
- Streptomycin
There are also a number of other compounds that can induce tinnitus
Hearing loss can be the result of some medications and others might trigger tinnitus. If you hear phantom sounds, that might be tinnitus and it normally shows up as:
- A whooshing sound
- Popping
- Thumping
- Ringing
Certain diuretics will also trigger tinnitus, here are some of the primary offenders:
- Tonic water
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
- Marijuana
You may not be aware that the cup of coffee or black tea in the morning can cause ringing in your ears. Here’s the good news, it should improve once the chemical is out of your system. The following medications are prescribed to manage tinnitus but ironically, they are themselves diuretics:
- Amitriptyline
- Prednisone
- Lidocaine
After you stop using the medication, the symptoms should go away, and your doctor will be there to help you with anything you may need to know.
Ototoxicity has specific symptoms
The signs or symptoms of tinnitus differ based on your ear health and which medication you get.
Be on guard for:
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Difficulty walking
- Poor balance
- Vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Tinnitus
Make sure you consult your doctor about any 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 what’s best.
Also, call us today to schedule a hearing test to establish a baseline of your hearing health.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331