It’s natural to want to learn about the side effects of a medication when you begin taking it. Can it trigger digestive issues? Will it cause your mouth to dry out? Make you sleepy? You might not even be aware of some of the more impactful side effects, including hearing loss. Many different medications are known to cause this condition which medical professionals label as ototoxicity.
Specifically how many medications are there that can lead to this issue? Well, there are a number of medications recognized to cause an ototoxic reaction, but just how many is still rather uncertain. So which drugs do you personally need to be aware of?
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 distinct places:
- 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 compromised, you will start to lose some frequencies of sound, particularly in the high-frequency range.
- The vestibule of the ear: The cochlea is like a labyrinth, and situated right in the middle is the vestibule of the ear. Its main function is to manage balance. When a medication produces an ototoxic reaction to the vestibule of the inner ear, you can experience balance problems and the feeling that the room is spinning.
- The stria vascularis: Found in the cochlea, the stria vascularis makes endolymph, the fluid in the inner ear. Too much or too little endolymph has a significant effect on both balance and hearing.
What is the threat level for each drug?
You might be surprised by the list of medications that can result in an ototoxic response. Ototoxic medications are rather common and most individuals have several of them in their medicine cabinets right now.
Over-the-counter pain medications including the following top the list:
- Naproxen
- Ibuprofen
Aspirin, also called salicylates, is on this list as well. When you quit taking these drugs, your hearing will typically go back to normal.
Next on the list of common ototoxic drugs would be specific antibiotics. Some of these may be familiar:
- Streptomycin
- Kanamycin
- Tobramycin
There are also a number of other compounds that can induce tinnitus
Hearing loss can be the outcome of some medications and others might trigger tinnitus. Here are a few ways tinnitus might present:
- A whooshing sound
- Thumping
- Ringing
- Popping
Certain diuretics will also trigger tinnitus, here are a few of the main offenders:
- Caffeine
- Tonic water
- Marijuana
- Nicotine
You may not be aware that the cup of coffee or black tea in the morning can cause ringing in your ears. The good news is it should improve after the drug is out of your system. The following medications are prescribed to treat tinnitus but ironically, they are themselves diuretics:
- Prednisone
- Amitriptyline
- Lidocaine
Once 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 particular symptoms
The signs or symptoms of tinnitus differ based on your ear health and which medication you get.
Here are some things to watch out for:
- Poor balance
- Vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Tinnitus
- Difficulty walking
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
Be sure you ask your doctor about any side effects the medication they prescribed might have, including ototoxicity. Get in touch with your doctor right away if you experience any tinnitus symptoms that might have been caused by an ototoxic response.
Also, give us a call today to schedule a hearing exam to establish a baseline of your hearing health.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331