It’s normal to want to know about the side effects of a medication when you begin using it. Can it trigger digestive issues? Will it dehydrate you? Make you drowsy? You might not even know about some of the more impactful side effects, such as hearing loss. Ototoxicity is the medical name 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 problem? The answer is not clear, but there are plenty that are recognized to cause ototoxic symptoms. So which drugs do you personally need to know about?
Ototoxicity – what you should know
How can a medication cause problems with your ears after you take it? There are three different places certain drugs can damage your hearing:
- The vestibule of the ear: This is the portion of the ear situated in the middle of the labyrinth that makes up the cochlea. It helps manage balance. Vestibulotoxicity drugs can cause you to become dizzy or feel like 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 affects the range of sound you can hear, usually starting with high frequencies then expanding to include lower ones.
- The stria vascularis: Located in the cochlea, the stria vascularis produces endolymph, the fluid in the inner ear. Too much or too little endolymph has a significant impact on both balance and hearing.
What is the threat level for each drug?
The checklist of medications that can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss may surprise you. Several of them you 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.
Over-the-counter pain medications including the following top the list:
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
Aspirin, also known as salicylates, is on this list too. When you quit using these drugs, 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:
- Streptomycin
- Tobramycin
- Kanamycin
Tinnitus can also be triggered by several common compounds
Some medications may cause tinnitus and others could lead to loss of hearing. If you hear phantom noises, that may be tinnitus and it typically shows up as:
- Ringing
- A whooshing sound
- Popping
- Thumping
Some diuretics can also result in tinnitus, including brand names Lasix, Bumex, and Diamox but the primary offenders in this category are things like:
- Nicotine
- Tonic water
- Caffeine
- Marijuana
Every time you drink your coffee or black tea in the morning, you are subjecting your body to something that may make your ears ring. 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 potential causes such as:
- Prednisone
- Amitriptyline
- Lidocaine
Typically, the tinnitus will end when you stop using the medication but always talk to your doctor, they will know what’s best for you.
There are very distinct symptoms with an ototoxic response
Depending on what specific medications you’re taking and the health of your hearing, your particular symptoms will vary.
Be on guard for:
- Poor balance
- Blurred vision
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Vomiting
- Difficulty walking
- Tinnitus
Keep yourself informed by always asking your physician about the possible side effects of a medication, don’t hesitate to ask about ototoxicity. Contact your doctor right away if you experience any tinnitus symptoms that might have been caused by an ototoxic reaction.
Also, contact us today to set up a hearing exam to establish a baseline of your hearing health.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331