When you start on a course of medication, it’s natural to want to be educated about any potential side effects. Can it give you a stomach ache? Will it cause your mouth to dry out? Cause insomnia? There might also be a more serious possible side effect that you may not be aware of – hearing loss. Ototoxicity is the medical name professionals have given this condition and there are many drugs that are known to cause it.
So can this issue be triggered by a lot of drugs? The answer is not clear, but there are plenty that are known to trigger ototoxic symptoms. So, which ones should you watch out for and why?
What you need to know about ototoxicity
How can a medication wreak havoc on your ears after you take it? Your hearing can be damaged by medication in three distinct places:
- The vestibule of the ear: This is the part of the ear situated in the middle of the labyrinth that composes the cochlea. It helps regulate balance. When a medication produces an ototoxic reaction to the vestibule of the inner ear, you can experience balance issues and the feeling that the room is spinning.
- The stria vascularis: The stria vascularis is the part of the cochlea that generates fluid known as endolymph. Both hearing and balance are affected by too much or too little endolymph.
- 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 perception of sound. Damage to the cochlea impacts the range of sound you can hear, typically starting with high frequencies then extending to include lower ones.
What is the risk level for each drug?
The checklist of drugs that can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss may surprise you. Ototoxic medications are pretty common and the majority of people have a few of them in their medicine cabinets right now.
Over-the-counter pain medication including the following top the list:
- Naproxen
- Ibuprofen
You can add salicylates to the list, better known as aspirin. The hearing issues due to these drugs are typically reversible when you stop using them.
Antibiotics are a close second for common ototoxic medications. You may have heard of some of these:
- Streptomycin
- Kanamycin
- Tobramycin
Tinnitus can also be induced by several common compounds
Some medications might cause tinnitus and others could result in loss of hearing. Here are some ways tinnitus might present:
- A whooshing sound
- Thumping
- Ringing
- Popping
Various diuretics can also result in tinnitus, including brand names Lasix, Bumex, and Diamox but the primary offenders in this category are things like:
- Caffeine
- Tonic water
- Marijuana
- Nicotine
You might not realize that the cup of coffee or black tea in the morning can trigger ringing in your ears. The good news is it should clear up once the chemical is out of your system. The following drugs are prescribed to treat tinnitus but ironically, they are themselves diuretics:
- Amitriptyline
- Lidocaine
- Prednisone
Usually, the tinnitus will clear when you quit using the medication but always consult 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 your hearing health, your particular symptoms will vary.
Be on guard for:
- Difficulty walking
- Blurred vision
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Vomiting
- Tinnitus
- Poor balance
Keep yourself informed by always consulting your doctor about the possible side effects of a medication, don’t hesitate to ask about ototoxicity. If you experience ototoxicity we suggest immediately contacting your doctor to talk about your symptoms, they will know what’s best.
Also, give us a call 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