When you begin on a course of medication, it’s normal to want to be informed about any possible side effects. Can it cause digestive problems? Will it cause dry mouth? Cause sleeplessness? There could also be a more severe potential side effect that you may not be aware of – hearing loss. Lots of different medications are known to trigger this condition which medical professionals call ototoxicity.
Specifically how many drugs are there that can cause this problem? The answer is uncertain, but there are lots that are recognized 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 hearing after you swallow it? Your hearing can be damaged by medication in three different 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 substantial impact on both balance and hearing.
- The vestibule of the ear: The cochlea is like a labyrinth, and situated right in the middle is the vestibule of the ear. Its principal function is to manage balance. Vestibulotoxicity drugs can cause you to become dizzy or feel like the room is spinning.
- 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. Damage to the cochlea affects the range of sound you can hear, typically beginning with high frequencies then expanding to include lower ones.
Do different drugs have different threat levels?
You may be surprised by the list of drugs that can cause an ototoxic response. Many of them you most likely 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 medication like the following top the list:
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
You can add salicylates to the list, better known as aspirin. The hearing problems caused by these drugs are generally correctable when you stop using them.
Antibiotics are a close second for common ototoxic drugs. You may have heard of some of these:
- Kanamycin
- Streptomycin
- Tobramycin
Tinnitus can also be triggered by several common compounds
Some drugs might cause tinnitus and others could lead to loss of hearing. Here are a few ways tinnitus may present:
- Ringing
- Popping
- A whooshing sound
- Thumping
Some diuretics can also result in tinnitus, including brand names Lasix, Bumex, and Diamox but the primary offenders in this category are things like:
- Caffeine
- Marijuana
- Tonic water
- Nicotine
Every time you drink your coffee or black tea in the morning, you are subjecting your body to something that could make your ears ring. The good news is it should clear up once the chemical is out of your system. The following drugs are prescribed to manage tinnitus but ironically, they are themselves diuretics:
- Prednisone
- Amitriptyline
- Lidocaine
Once 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.
Here are a few things to check out for:
- Difficulty walking
- Blurred vision
- Poor balance
- Tinnitus
- Vomiting
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
Be certain that you consult your doctor about any side effects the medication they prescribed might have, including ototoxicity. If you experience ototoxicity we suggest that you contact your doctor to report your symptoms, they will know the best course of action.
Also, schedule a hearing examination with us, a baseline hearing test is a proactive step that can help you maintain good hearing health throughout your life.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331