It’s normal to want to learn about the side effects of a medication when you start using it. Can it upset your stomach? Will it cause dehydration? Make you drowsy? There could also be a more severe potential side effect that you might not think of – hearing loss. Ototoxicity is the medical term professionals have given this condition and there are lots of drugs that are known to cause it.
Specifically how many medications are there that can cause this issue? The answer is uncertain, 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 is it possible for your hearing to be impacted by medication? Your hearing can be damaged by medication in three distinct places:
- The vestibule of the ear: The cochlea is like a labyrinth, and sitting right in the middle is the vestibule of the ear. It helps regulate balance. Vestibulotoxicity medications can cause you to get dizzy or feel as if the room is spinning.
- The stria vascularis: Located in the cochlea, the stria vascularis generates endolymph, the fluid in the inner ear. 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 affects the range of sound you can hear, typically beginning with high frequencies then extending to include lower ones.
What is the risk level for each drug?
The checklist of drugs which can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss might surprise you. Several of them you most 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.
Topping the list of ototoxic medications are over-the-counter pain killers including:
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
Aspirin, also called salicylates, is on this list too. When you stop taking these drugs, your hearing will typically go back to normal.
Antibiotics come in as a close second for prevalent ototoxic drugs. Some of these may be familiar:
- Kanamycin
- Streptomycin
- Tobramycin
Tinnitus can also be triggered by several common compounds
Hearing loss can be the result of some medications and others might trigger tinnitus. Here are a few ways tinnitus may present:
- Ringing
- A whooshing sound
- Thumping
- Popping
Various diuretics can also cause tinnitus, including brand names Lasix, Bumex, and Diamox but the leading offenders in this category are things like:
- Tonic water
- Marijuana
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
You might not be aware that the cup of coffee or black tea in the morning can cause ringing in your ears. Here’s the good news, it should clear up after 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:
- Prednisone
- Lidocaine
- Amitriptyline
After you stop using the medication, the symptoms should go away, and your doctor will be there to help you with anything you may need to know.
Ototoxicity has specific symptoms
The signs or symptoms of tinnitus vary depending on your ear health and which medication you get.
Be on guard for:
- Poor balance
- Blurred vision
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Tinnitus
- Difficulty walking
- Vomiting
Keep yourself informed by always consulting your physician about the possible side effects of a medication, don’t hesitate to ask about ototoxicity. Get in touch with your doctor right away if you experience any tinnitus symptoms that might have been caused by an ototoxic reaction.
Also, give us a call today to schedule a hearing exam to establish a baseline of your hearing health.
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References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331