When you start on a course of medication, it’s natural to want to be informed about any possible side effects. Can it upset your stomach? Will it cause dry mouth? Cause insomnia? There may also be a more severe possible side effect that you might not think of – hearing loss. Ototoxicity is the medical name professionals have given this condition and there are many drugs that are known to cause it.
Exactly how many drugs are there that can lead to this problem? The answer is uncertain, but there are lots that are known to cause ototoxic symptoms. So, which ones do you need to watch out for and why?
Ototoxicity – what you should know
How can a medication damage your ears after you take it? There are three different places specific drugs can harm your 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 affects the range of sound you can hear, usually beginning with high frequencies then extending to include lower ones.
- 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 significant effect on both hearing and balance.
- 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 medications can cause you to become dizzy or feel as if the room is spinning.
Do different drugs have different threat levels?
You might be surprised by the list of medications that can result in an ototoxic response. Ototoxic medications are rather common and the majority of people have several of them in their medicine cabinets right now.
At the top of the list of ototoxic medications are over-the-counter pain relievers including:
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
Aspirin, also called salicylates, is on this list too. The hearing issues due to these drugs are normally correctable when you quit using them.
Next on the list of common ototoxic medications would be specific antibiotics. Some of these may be familiar:
- Kanamycin
- Tobramycin
- Streptomycin
There are also numerous other compounds that can trigger tinnitus
Some drugs may cause tinnitus and others could result in loss of hearing. Here are a few ways tinnitus might present:
- A whooshing sound
- Ringing
- Popping
- Thumping
Certain diuretics will also trigger tinnitus, here are a few of the main offenders:
- Tonic water
- Nicotine
- Marijuana
- Caffeine
Every time you drink your coffee or black tea in the morning, you are exposing your body to something that could make your ears ring. The good news is it should clear up once the drug is out of your system. Ironically, some drugs doctors prescribe to manage tinnitus are also on the list of potential causes such as:
- Prednisone
- Lidocaine
- Amitriptyline
Typically, the tinnitus will end when you stop using the medication but always consult 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 taking and the health of your hearing, your particular symptoms will vary.
Be on guard for:
- Blurred vision
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Poor balance
- Difficulty walking
- Tinnitus
- Vomiting
Be certain that you ask your doctor about any side effects the medication they prescribed might have, including ototoxicity. If you experience ototoxicity we suggest immediately contacting your doctor to talk about your symptoms, they will know what’s best.
Also, call us today to schedule a hearing test to establish a baseline of your hearing health.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331
