It’s normal to want to know about the side effects of a medication when you begin taking it. Can it trigger digestive problems? Will it cause dehydration? Cause sleeplessness? You might not even know about some of the more impactful side effects, like hearing loss. Ototoxicity is the medical name professionals have given this condition and there are lots of drugs that are known to cause it.
So can this issue be caused by a lot of drugs? The answer is not clear, but there are plenty that are known to cause ototoxic symptoms. So which drugs do you personally need to be aware of?
What to know about ototoxicity
How is it possible for your hearing to be affected by medication? There are three distinct places certain drugs can harm your hearing:
- The stria vascularis: The stria vascularis is the part of the cochlea that produces fluid called endolymph. Too much or too little endolymph has a substantial impact on both hearing and balance.
- The cochlea: That’s the seashell-shaped component of the inner ear that takes sound and converts it into an electrical signal that the brain can comprehend. When the cochlea is damaged, 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 sitting right in the middle is the vestibule of the ear. It helps manage balance. When a medication produces an ototoxic reaction to the vestibule of the inner ear, you can experience balance problems and the sensation that the room is spinning.
Do different drugs have different risk levels?
You might be surprised by the list of drugs that can cause an ototoxic response. Many of them you 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 relievers including:
- Naproxen
- Ibuprofen
Aspirin, also called salicylates, is on this list as well. The hearing problems due to these drugs are typically correctable when you quit using them.
Next on the list of common ototoxic drugs would be specific antibiotics. You may have heard of some of these:
- Kanamycin
- Tobramycin
- 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. Here are some ways tinnitus may present:
- Popping
- Ringing
- Thumping
- A whooshing sound
Specific diuretics will also cause tinnitus, here are some of the primary offenders:
- Caffeine
- Marijuana
- Nicotine
- Tonic water
Every single time you drink your coffee or black tea in the morning, you are subjecting your body to something that may make your ears ring. Fortunately, once the diuretic has cleared your system, the ringing should recede. Ironically, some drugs doctors prescribe to treat tinnitus are also on the list of possible causes such as:
- Lidocaine
- Amitriptyline
- Prednisone
Usually, the tinnitus will clear when you stop using the medication but always seek advice from your doctor, they will know what’s best for you.
There are very distinct symptoms with an ototoxic response
The signs or symptoms of tinnitus vary based on your hearing health and which medication you get.
Here are a few things to check out for:
- Tinnitus
- Poor balance
- Difficulty walking
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Blurred vision
- Vomiting
Keep yourself informed by always consulting your physician about the potential side effects of a medication, don’t hesitate to ask about ototoxicity. If you experience ototoxicity we recommend that you contact your doctor to report your symptoms, they will know the best course of action.
Also, schedule a hearing exam with us, a baseline hearing test is a proactive measure that can help you maintain good hearing health throughout your life.
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References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331