When you start on a course of medication, it’s normal to want to be educated about any possible side effects. Can it upset your stomach? Will it cause dry mouth? Make you sleepy? You may not even know about some of the more impactful side effects, such as hearing loss. Many different medications are known to trigger this condition which medical professionals label as ototoxicity.
So can this issue be caused by a lot of medications? Well, there are numerous medications known to cause an ototoxic reaction, but exactly how many is still rather uncertain. So, which ones do you need to watch out for and why?
What you need to know about ototoxicity
How can a pill damage your hearing after you take it? 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 center is the vestibule of the ear. It helps manage balance. When a medication produces an ototoxic response to the vestibule of the inner ear, you can experience balance problems and the feeling that 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 sense of sound. When the cochlea is damaged, you will start to lose some frequencies of sound, particularly in the high-frequency range.
- The stria vascularis: Situated 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 hearing and balance.
What is the threat level for each drug?
The checklist of drugs that can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss may surprise you. Ototoxic medications are pretty common and the majority of people have a few of them in their medicine cabinets right now.
Topping the list of ototoxic medications are over-the-counter pain relievers such as:
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
Aspirin, also known as salicylates, is on this list too. The hearing issues due to these drugs are typically reversible when you stop using them.
Antibiotics come in as a close second for well-known ototoxic medications. You might have heard of some of these:
- Streptomycin
- Tobramycin
- Kanamycin
Tinnitus can also be triggered by a number of common compounds
Some medications might cause tinnitus and others could result in loss of hearing. If you hear phantom noises, that might be tinnitus and it typically shows up as:
- Ringing
- A whooshing sound
- Popping
- Thumping
Some diuretics can also result in tinnitus, including brand names Lasix, Bumex, and Diamox but the leading offenders in this category are things like:
- Tonic water
- Nicotine
- Marijuana
- Caffeine
You may not be aware that the cup of coffee or black tea in the morning can cause ringing in your ears. Luckily, once the diuretic has cleared your system, the ringing should go away. Ironically, some medications doctors prescribe to treat tinnitus are also on the list of potential causes such as:
- Lidocaine
- Prednisone
- Amitriptyline
After you discontinue the medication, the symptoms should go away, and your doctor will be there to help you with whatever you may need to know.
Ototoxicity has specific symptoms
The signs or symptoms of tinnitus differ based on your hearing health and which medication you get.
Be on guard for:
- Blurred vision
- Vomiting
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Poor balance
- Difficulty walking
- Tinnitus
Keep yourself informed by always consulting your doctor 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 talk about your symptoms, they will know the best course of action.
Also, call us today to schedule a hearing exam to establish a baseline of your hearing health.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331