It’s normal to want to learn about the side effects of a medication when you start using it. Can it cause digestive issues? Will it dehydrate you? Cause sleeplessness? You might not even know about some of the more impactful side effects, such as hearing loss. Lots of different drugs are known to trigger this condition which medical professionals label as ototoxicity.
So can this issue be caused by a lot of drugs? The answer is uncertain, but there are plenty that are recognized to cause ototoxic symptoms. 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 damaged by medication in three different places:
- The stria vascularis: Located in the cochlea, the stria vascularis generates endolymph, the fluid in the inner ear. Too much or too little endolymph has a substantial effect on both hearing and balance.
- 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 regulate balance. When a medication triggers an ototoxic response to the vestibule of the inner ear, you can experience balance issues and the sensation that 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 sense of sound. When the cochlea is damaged, you will start to lose some frequencies of sound, especially in the high-frequency range.
Do different drugs have different risk levels?
The checklist of medications that can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss may surprise you. Ototoxic medications are fairly common and the majority of individuals have a few of them in their medicine cabinets right now.
At the top of 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. When you quit using these drugs, your hearing will typically go back to normal.
Next on the list of common ototoxic medications would be specific antibiotics. You might have heard of some of these:
- Streptomycin
- Tobramycin
- Kanamycin
Tinnitus can also be triggered by a number of common compounds
Hearing loss can be the result of some medications and others may trigger tinnitus. Here are some ways tinnitus might present:
- Thumping
- Popping
- A whooshing sound
- Ringing
Various diuretics can also cause tinnitus, including brand names Lasix, Bumex, and Diamox but the primary offenders in this category are things like:
- Tonic water
- Nicotine
- Caffeine
- Marijuana
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. The good news is it should improve 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:
- Lidocaine
- Amitriptyline
- Prednisone
Usually, the tinnitus will end when you quit taking the medication but always talk to your doctor, they will know what’s best for you.
There are very distinct symptoms with an ototoxic response
Depending on what specific medications you’re taking and the health of your hearing, your particular symptoms will vary.
Here are some things to watch out for:
- Blurred vision
- Poor balance
- Tinnitus
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Difficulty walking
- Vomiting
Keep yourself informed by always asking your doctor about the possible side effects of a medication, don’t hesitate to ask about ototoxicity. Contact your doctor right away if you detect any tinnitus symptoms that may have been caused by an ototoxic response.
Also, give us a call today to set up a hearing test to establish a baseline of your hearing health.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331