It’s natural to want to know about the side effects of a medication when you begin taking it. Can it give you a stomach ache? Will it dehydrate you? Make you sleepy? There might also be a more severe possible side effect that you might not think of – hearing loss. Many different drugs are known to trigger this condition which medical professionals label as ototoxicity.
So can this problem be caused by a lot of drugs? Well, there are a number of medications recognized to cause an ototoxic reaction, but just how many is still somewhat uncertain. So, which ones should you watch out for and why?
Ototoxicity – what you should know
How can a pill damage your hearing after you take it? There are three different places specific drugs can damage your hearing:
- The stria vascularis: Located in the cochlea, the stria vascularis produces endolymph, the fluid in the inner ear. Both hearing and balance are affected by too much or too little endolymph.
- The vestibule of the ear: The cochlea is like a labyrinth, and sitting right in the center is the vestibule of the ear. Its primary function is to manage balance. Vestibulotoxicity drugs can cause you to become dizzy or feel as if the room is spinning.
- 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 perception of sound. When the cochlea is damaged, you will begin to lose some frequencies of sound, especially in the high-frequency range.
Do different drugs have different threat levels?
The checklist of medications which can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss may surprise you. Ototoxic medications are fairly common and most individuals have a few of them in their medicine cabinets right now.
Topping the list of ototoxic medications are over-the-counter pain killers such as:
- Naproxen
- Ibuprofen
Aspirin, also called salicylates, is on this list too. When you stop using these drugs, your hearing will usually go back to normal.
Next on the list of common ototoxic medications would be specific antibiotics. You might have heard of some of these:
- Tobramycin
- Streptomycin
- Kanamycin
Tinnitus can also be triggered by several common compounds
Hearing loss can be the result of some drugs and others might trigger tinnitus. If you hear phantom sounds, that might be tinnitus and it typically shows up as:
- A whooshing sound
- Popping
- Thumping
- Ringing
Certain diuretics will also trigger tinnitus, here are a few of the main offenders:
- Caffeine
- Marijuana
- Nicotine
- Tonic water
You might not be aware that the cup of coffee or black tea in the morning can cause ringing in your ears. Fortunately, 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:
- Amitriptyline
- Prednisone
- Lidocaine
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
The signs or symptoms of tinnitus differ depending on your hearing health and which medication you get.
Here are a few things to check out for:
- Vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Tinnitus
- Difficulty walking
- Poor balance
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
Be certain that you consult your doctor about any side effects the medication they prescribed may 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, schedule a hearing exam with us, a baseline hearing test is a practical step that can help you maintain good hearing health throughout your life.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331