It’s natural to want to know about the side effects of a medication when you start taking it. Can it trigger digestive problems? Will it cause dry mouth? Cause sleeplessness? There may also be a more serious possible side effect that you might not think of – hearing loss. Many different drugs are known to cause this condition which medical professionals call ototoxicity.
Specifically how many medications are there that can cause this issue? Well, there are numerous medications known to trigger an ototoxic reaction, but just how many is still rather unclear. So, which ones do you need to pay attention to and why?
Ototoxicity – what you should know
How can a medication wreak havoc on your hearing after you take it? Your hearing can be damaged by medication in three distinct places:
- The stria vascularis: The stria vascularis is the portion of the cochlea that produces fluid called endolymph. Both hearing and balance 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 sense of sound. When the cochlea is damaged, you will begin to lose some frequencies of sound, particularly in the high-frequency range.
- The vestibule of the ear: The cochlea is like a labyrinth, and situated right in the center is the vestibule of the ear. It helps manage balance. When a medication triggers an ototoxic reaction to the vestibule of the inner ear, you can experience balance issues and the sensation that the room is spinning.
What is the risk level for each drug?
The checklist of medications which can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss might surprise you. Ototoxic medications are pretty common and the majority of individuals have several of them in their medicine cabinets right now.
At the top of the list of ototoxic medications are over-the-counter pain killers including:
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
Aspirin, also known as salicylates, is on this list as well. The hearing problems due to these drugs are normally correctable when you quit taking them.
Antibiotics come in as a close second for common ototoxic medications. You may have heard of some of these:
- Tobramycin
- Kanamycin
- Streptomycin
Tinnitus can also be triggered by several common compounds
Some medications may cause tinnitus and others could result in loss of hearing. Here are some ways tinnitus might present:
- A whooshing sound
- Ringing
- Thumping
- Popping
Some diuretics can also cause tinnitus, including brand names Lasix, Bumex, and Diamox but the primary offenders in this category are things like:
- Nicotine
- Tonic water
- Marijuana
- Caffeine
You may not be aware that the cup of coffee or black tea in the morning can cause ringing in your ears. Luckily, once the diuretic has cleared your system, the ringing should go away. Ironically, some drugs doctors prescribe to treat tinnitus are also on the list of possible causes such as:
- Prednisone
- Lidocaine
- Amitriptyline
Usually, the tinnitus will end when you stop taking the medication but always talk to your doctor, they will know what’s best for you.
There are very specific symptoms with an ototoxic response
Depending on what specific medications you’re using and your hearing health, your particular symptoms will vary.
Be on guard for:
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Vomiting
- Poor balance
- Difficulty walking
- Blurred vision
- Tinnitus
Keep yourself informed by always asking your physician about the possible side effects of a medication, don’t hesitate to ask about ototoxicity. Get in touch with your doctor right away if you detect any tinnitus symptoms that might have been caused by an ototoxic response.
Also, schedule a hearing exam with us, a baseline hearing test is a practical step that can help you maintain good hearing health throughout your life.
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References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331