It’s normal to want to learn about 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 drowsy? You may not even know about some of the more impactful side effects, such as hearing loss. Ototoxicity is the medical name professionals have given this condition and there are lots of drugs that are known to cause it.
Specifically how many drugs are there that can lead to this problem? The answer is unclear, 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 harmed by medication in three different places:
- The vestibule of the ear: This is the part of the ear that sits in the middle of the labyrinth that composes the cochlea. It helps regulate balance. When a medication causes an ototoxic reaction to the vestibule of the inner ear, you can experience balance issues and the feeling that the room is spinning.
- The stria vascularis: The stria vascularis is the part of the cochlea that generates fluid called endolymph. 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 transforms 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 expanding to include lower ones.
Do different drugs have different threat levels?
You might be surprised by the list of drugs that can result in an ototoxic reaction. Ototoxic medications are fairly common and the majority of people have a few of them in their medicine cabinets right now.
Over-the-counter pain medication like the following top the list:
- Naproxen
- Ibuprofen
Aspirin, also known as salicylates, is on this list too. When you quit taking these medications, your hearing will usually go back to normal.
Next on the list of common ototoxic drugs would be certain antibiotics. Some of these might be familiar:
- Streptomycin
- Kanamycin
- Tobramycin
Tinnitus can also be induced by a number of common compounds
Some drugs might cause tinnitus and others could result in loss of hearing. Here are a few ways tinnitus may present:
- A whooshing sound
- Thumping
- Ringing
- Popping
Specific diuretics will also trigger tinnitus, here are a few of the primary offenders:
- Nicotine
- Caffeine
- Marijuana
- Tonic water
You may 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 once the chemical is out of your system. The following drugs are prescribed to treat tinnitus but ironically, they are themselves diuretics:
- Lidocaine
- Prednisone
- Amitriptyline
Once you stop using the medication, the symptoms should clear up, and your doctor will be there to help you with whatever you may need to know.
Ototoxicity has particular symptoms
Depending on what specific medications you’re using and the health of your hearing, your particular symptoms will differ.
Be on guard for:
- Poor balance
- Blurred vision
- Tinnitus
- Difficulty walking
- Vomiting
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
Keep yourself informed by always asking your doctor about the possible side effects of a medication, don’t hesitate to ask about ototoxicity. If you experience ototoxicity we suggest immediately contacting your doctor to talk about your symptoms, they will know what’s best.
Also, schedule a hearing exam with us, a baseline hearing test is a practical measure that can help you maintain good hearing health throughout your life.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331