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? Make you drowsy? There could also be a more severe possible side effect that you might not be aware of – hearing loss. Lots of different drugs are known to cause this condition which medical professionals label as ototoxicity.
So can this problem be triggered by a lot of drugs? Well, there are a number of medications recognized to trigger an ototoxic reaction, but exactly how many is still somewhat unclear. So, which ones should you pay attention to and why?
Ototoxicity – what you should know
How is it possible for your hearing to be impacted by medication? Your hearing can be harmed by medication in three distinct places:
- 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.
- The stria vascularis: Found in the cochlea, the stria vascularis generates endolymph, the fluid in the inner ear. Too much or too little endolymph has a substantial impact on both hearing and balance.
- 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 regulate balance. When a medication produces an ototoxic response to the vestibule of the inner ear, you can experience balance issues and the feeling that the room is spinning.
Do different drugs have different risk levels?
The checklist of drugs which can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss might surprise you. Several of them you probably 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.
Over-the-counter pain medications including the following top the list:
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
You can add salicylates to the list, which is aspirin. The hearing issues caused by these drugs are generally correctable when you stop using them.
Next on the list of common ototoxic medications would be specific antibiotics. You might have heard of some of these:
- Tobramycin
- Kanamycin
- Streptomycin
Tinnitus can also be triggered by a number of common compounds
Some medications might cause tinnitus and others could result in loss of hearing. If you hear phantom sounds, that could be tinnitus and it normally shows up as:
- A whooshing sound
- Popping
- Thumping
- Ringing
Certain diuretics will also trigger tinnitus, here are some of the main offenders:
- Marijuana
- Tonic water
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
You may not be aware that the cup of coffee or black tea in the morning can trigger ringing in your ears. The good news is it should improve after the chemical is out of your system. The following drugs are prescribed to manage tinnitus but ironically, they are themselves diuretics:
- Amitriptyline
- Lidocaine
- Prednisone
Usually, the tinnitus will end when you stop taking 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 the health of your hearing, your particular symptoms will differ.
Be on guard for:
- Tinnitus
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty walking
- Poor balance
- Vomiting
Keep yourself informed by always asking your physician about the potential side effects of a medication, don’t hesitate to ask about 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 step that can help you maintain good hearing health throughout your life.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331
