When you begin on a course of medication, it’s natural to want to be informed about any potential side effects. Can it cause digestive issues? Will it dehydrate you? Cause sleeplessness? You might not even know about some of the more impactful side effects, including hearing loss. Many different medications are known to trigger this condition which medical professionals call ototoxicity.
So can this issue be triggered by a lot of drugs? Well, there are numerous medications known to cause an ototoxic reaction, but exactly how many is still somewhat unclear. So, which ones do you need to watch out for and why?
Ototoxicity – what you should know
How is it possible for your hearing to be affected by medication? Your hearing can be harmed by medication in three different places:
- The vestibule of the ear: The cochlea is like a labyrinth, and sitting right in the center is the vestibule of the ear. Its main function is to regulate balance. When a medication produces an ototoxic response to the vestibule of the inner ear, you can experience balance issues and the sensation that 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 affected by too much or too little endolymph.
- The cochlea: The cochlea is part of the inner ear, shaped like a seashell, that converts 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 extending to include lower ones.
What is the threat level for each drug?
The checklist of drugs that can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss may surprise you. Several of them you most 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.
Over-the-counter pain medication like the following top the list:
- Naproxen
- Ibuprofen
Aspirin, also known as salicylates, is on this list too. The hearing problems caused by these drugs are generally correctable when you quit taking them.
Next on the list of common ototoxic medications would be specific antibiotics. You may have heard of some of these:
- Tobramycin
- Streptomycin
- Kanamycin
There are also several other compounds that can induce tinnitus
Some drugs may cause tinnitus and others could result in loss of hearing. Here are some ways tinnitus may present:
- Thumping
- Popping
- Ringing
- A whooshing sound
Various diuretics can also lead to tinnitus, including brand names Lasix, Bumex, and Diamox but the leading offenders in this category are things like:
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
- Tonic water
- Marijuana
You may not realize that the cup of coffee or black tea in the morning can trigger ringing in your ears. Fortunately, once the diuretic has cleared your system, the ringing should recede. Ironically, some medications doctors prescribe to treat tinnitus are also on the list of potential causes such as:
- Lidocaine
- Amitriptyline
- Prednisone
After you stop using 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 particular symptoms
The signs or symptoms of tinnitus differ based on your ear health and which medication you get.
Be on guard for:
- Vomiting
- Tinnitus
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Poor balance
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty walking
Keep yourself informed by always consulting your physician about the potential side effects of a medication, don’t hesitate to ask about ototoxicity. Get in touch with your doctor right away if you detect any tinnitus symptoms that might have been caused by an ototoxic reaction.
Also, give us a call today to set up a hearing test to establish a baseline of your hearing health.
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References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331