It’s natural to want to learn about the side effects of a medication when you start taking it. Can it upset your stomach? 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. Many different drugs are known to trigger this condition which medical professionals label as ototoxicity.
So can this issue be caused by a lot of medications? The answer is uncertain, but there are lots that are known to trigger ototoxic symptoms. So which drugs do you personally need to know about?
Ototoxicity – what you should know
How is it possible for your hearing to be impacted by medication? There are three distinct places certain drugs can damage your hearing:
- 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 effect on both hearing and balance.
- 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 impacts the range of sound you can hear, usually beginning with high frequencies then expanding to include lower ones.
- 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. Vestibulotoxicity medications can cause you to become dizzy or feel like the room is spinning.
What is the threat level for each drug?
The checklist of medications which can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss might surprise you. Ototoxic medications are fairly common and the majority of people have several of them in their medicine cabinets right now.
Topping the list of ototoxic medications are over-the-counter pain relievers including:
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
Aspirin, also known as salicylates, is on this list too. When you stop taking these medications, your hearing will usually go back to normal.
Next on the list of common ototoxic drugs would be certain antibiotics. You may have heard of some of these:
- Streptomycin
- Kanamycin
- Tobramycin
There are also numerous other compounds that can induce tinnitus
Hearing loss can be the result of some drugs and others may trigger tinnitus. Here are some ways tinnitus may present:
- A whooshing sound
- Ringing
- Popping
- Thumping
Various 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
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
Every single time you drink your coffee or black tea in the morning, you are exposing your body to something that might make your ears ring. Here’s the good news, it should clear up once the chemical is out of your system. Ironically, some medications doctors prescribe to manage tinnitus are also on the list of possible causes such as:
- Amitriptyline
- Lidocaine
- Prednisone
Typically, the tinnitus will clear when you quit taking the medication but always talk to your doctor, they will know what’s best for you.
Ototoxicity has specific symptoms
Depending on what specific medications you’re taking and your hearing health, your particular symptoms will differ.
Here are some things to check out for:
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Difficulty walking
- Tinnitus
- Vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Poor balance
Be sure you ask your doctor about any side effects the medication they prescribed might have, including ototoxicity. If you experience ototoxicity we suggest that you contact your doctor to report 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.
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References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331