When you start on a course of medication, it’s normal to want to be educated about any potential side effects. Can it trigger digestive issues? Will it cause dehydration? Cause sleeplessness? You may not even be aware of some of the more impactful side effects, such as hearing loss. Lots of different drugs are known to cause this condition which medical professionals label as ototoxicity.
So can this problem be caused by a lot of medications? Well, there are a number of medications known to cause an ototoxic response, but exactly how many is still somewhat unclear. So, which ones should you pay attention to and why?
What you need to know about ototoxicity
How can a pill cause problems with your hearing after you take it? Your hearing can be harmed by medication in three distinct places:
- The vestibule of the ear: The cochlea is like a labyrinth, and sitting right in the center is the vestibule of the ear. It helps manage balance. When a medication produces an ototoxic response to the vestibule of the inner ear, you can experience balance problems and the sensation that the room is spinning.
- The stria vascularis: The stria vascularis is the portion of the cochlea that produces fluid known as endolymph. Too much or too little endolymph has a substantial impact on both balance and hearing.
- 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, particularly in the high-frequency range.
What is the threat level for each drug?
You might be surprised by the list of drugs that can result in an ototoxic response. Several of them you 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
Aspirin, also called salicylates, is on this list as well. When you stop using these medications, your hearing will typically go back to normal.
Antibiotics come in as a close second for well-known ototoxic medications. You might have heard of some of these:
- Streptomycin
- Kanamycin
- Tobramycin
There are also numerous other compounds that can induce tinnitus
Some drugs might cause tinnitus and others could lead to loss of hearing. If you hear phantom sounds, that may be tinnitus and it normally shows up as:
- Ringing
- A whooshing sound
- Popping
- Thumping
Specific diuretics will also cause tinnitus, here are a few of the primary offenders:
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
- Marijuana
- Tonic water
Every time you drink your coffee or black tea in the morning, you are subjecting your body to something that could make your ears ring. Here’s the good news, it should clear up once the drug is out of your system. Ironically, some medications doctors prescribe to treat tinnitus are also on the list of potential causes such as:
- Lidocaine
- Amitriptyline
- Prednisone
Usually, the tinnitus will clear when you quit taking the medication but always talk to your doctor, they will know what’s best for you.
There are very distinct symptoms with an ototoxic reaction
Depending on what specific medications you’re taking and the health of your hearing, your particular symptoms will vary.
Here are a few things to check out for:
- Difficulty walking
- Blurred vision
- Vomiting
- Poor balance
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Tinnitus
Be certain that 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 talk about your symptoms, they will know the best course of action.
Also, schedule a hearing exam with us, a baseline hearing test is a proactive 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