When you begin on a course of medication, it’s natural to want to be educated about any potential side effects. Can it upset your stomach? Will it cause dehydration? Make you drowsy? You may not even know about some of the more impactful side effects, including hearing loss. Ototoxicity is the medical term professionals have given this condition and there are lots of drugs that are known to cause it.
So can this issue be triggered by a lot of medications? Well, there are numerous medications recognized to cause an ototoxic reaction, but just how many is still somewhat uncertain. So, which ones should you watch out for 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: The stria vascularis is the part of the cochlea that produces fluid known as endolymph. Too much or too little endolymph has a significant impact on both balance and hearing.
- 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 beginning with high frequencies then extending to include lower ones.
- The vestibule of the ear: The cochlea is like a labyrinth, and situated right in the middle is the vestibule of the ear. It helps regulate balance. Vestibulotoxicity drugs can cause you to become dizzy or feel as if the room is spinning.
Do different drugs have different risk levels?
The checklist of medications which can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss might surprise you. Many 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 medication including the following top the list:
- Naproxen
- Ibuprofen
Aspirin, also called salicylates, is on this list too. The hearing issues due to these drugs are typically reversible when you stop taking them.
Antibiotics come in as a close second for well-known ototoxic medications. Some of these may be familiar:
- Kanamycin
- Tobramycin
- Streptomycin
Tinnitus can also be triggered by several common compounds
Some medications might cause tinnitus and others could lead to loss of hearing. Here are a few ways tinnitus might present:
- Ringing
- Thumping
- A whooshing sound
- Popping
Specific diuretics will also trigger tinnitus, here are a few of the main offenders:
- Caffeine
- Marijuana
- Tonic water
- Nicotine
You might not be aware that the cup of coffee or black tea in the morning can trigger ringing in your ears. Luckily, once the diuretic has cleared your system, the ringing should recede. The following medications are prescribed to treat tinnitus but ironically, they are themselves diuretics:
- Prednisone
- Lidocaine
- Amitriptyline
After you stop using 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 specific symptoms
The signs or symptoms of tinnitus vary based on your hearing health and which medication you get.
Here are a few things to watch out for:
- Tinnitus
- Poor balance
- Vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty walking
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
Be certain that you consult your doctor about any possible side effects the medication they prescribed might have, including ototoxicity. If you experience ototoxicity we suggest that you contact 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 measure 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