It’s normal to want to understand the side effects of a medication when you begin taking it. Can it give you a stomach ache? Will it cause your mouth to dry out? Make you sleepy? You may not even be aware of some of the more impactful side effects, like hearing loss. Many different medications are known to cause this condition which medical professionals label as ototoxicity.
So can this problem be caused by a lot of medications? Well, there are numerous medications recognized to cause an ototoxic reaction, but exactly how many is still somewhat unclear. So, which ones should you watch out for and why?
Ototoxicity – what you should know
How can a medication damage your hearing after you take it? There are three different places certain drugs can damage your hearing:
- 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, especially in the high-frequency range.
- The vestibule of the ear: The cochlea is like a labyrinth, and situated right in the center is the vestibule of the ear. Its principal function is to manage balance. Vestibulotoxicity drugs can cause you to become dizzy or feel as if the room is spinning.
- The stria vascularis: The stria vascularis is the portion of the cochlea that produces fluid known as endolymph. Both hearing and balance are impacted by too much or too little endolymph.
Do different drugs have different risk levels?
The checklist of drugs that can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss might surprise you. Several of them you 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.
Topping the list of ototoxic medications are over-the-counter pain relievers including:
- Naproxen
- Ibuprofen
Aspirin, also known as salicylates, is on this list too. The hearing problems due to these drugs are generally reversible when you quit taking them.
Next on the list of common ototoxic medications would be specific antibiotics. Some of these might be familiar:
- Kanamycin
- Streptomycin
- Tobramycin
There are also several other compounds that can cause tinnitus
Hearing loss can be the result of some drugs and others may trigger tinnitus. If you hear phantom sounds, that might be tinnitus and it normally shows up as:
- Thumping
- Popping
- Ringing
- A whooshing sound
Some diuretics can also lead to tinnitus, including brand names Lasix, Bumex, and Diamox but the leading offenders in this category are things like:
- Tonic water
- Marijuana
- Nicotine
- Caffeine
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 after the drug is out of your system. Ironically, some drugs doctors prescribe to treat tinnitus are also on the list of possible causes such as:
- Amitriptyline
- Prednisone
- Lidocaine
Once you stop using the medication, the symptoms should improve, and your doctor will be there to help you with anything you may need to know.
There are very distinct symptoms with an ototoxic reaction
Depending on what specific medications you’re using and your hearing health, your particular symptoms will vary.
Be on guard for:
- Poor balance
- Blurred vision
- Vomiting
- Difficulty walking
- Tinnitus
- 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 recommend immediately contacting your doctor to talk about your symptoms, they will know what’s best.
Also, contact us today to set up a hearing test to establish a baseline of your hearing health.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331