It’s normal to want to learn about the side effects of a medication when you start using it. Can it trigger digestive issues? Will it dehydrate you? Cause sleeplessness? There may also be a more serious potential side effect that you might not be aware of – hearing loss. Lots of different drugs are known to trigger this condition which medical professionals call ototoxicity.
Exactly how many medications are there that can cause this issue? Well, there are numerous medications known to cause an ototoxic reaction, but just how many is still rather unclear. So which medications do you personally need to know about?
Ototoxicity – what you should know
How can a pill cause problems with your hearing after you take it? There are three different places certain drugs can harm your hearing:
- The vestibule of the ear: This is the part of the ear that sits in the middle of the labyrinth that composes the cochlea. Its main function is to regulate balance. Vestibulotoxicity drugs can cause you to get dizzy or feel as if the room is spinning.
- The stria vascularis: The stria vascularis is the part of the cochlea that produces fluid called endolymph. Too much or too little endolymph has a significant effect on both hearing and balance.
- The cochlea: That’s the seashell-shaped part of the inner ear that receives sound and translates it into an electrical signal that the brain can comprehend. When the cochlea is compromised, you will start to lose some frequencies of sound, particularly in the high-frequency range.
Do different drugs have different risk levels?
The checklist of drugs which can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss may surprise you. Ototoxic medications are rather common and most individuals have a few of them in their medicine cabinets right now.
Over-the-counter pain medication including the following top the list:
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
You can add salicylates to the list, better known as aspirin. The hearing problems due to these drugs are generally correctable when you stop using them.
Next on the list of common ototoxic drugs would be certain antibiotics. You might have heard of some of these:
- Kanamycin
- Streptomycin
- Tobramycin
Tinnitus can also be induced by a number of common compounds
Some drugs may cause tinnitus and others could lead to loss of hearing. Here are some ways tinnitus may present:
- Popping
- A whooshing sound
- Thumping
- Ringing
Various diuretics can also cause tinnitus, including brand names Lasix, Bumex, and Diamox but the leading offenders in this category are things like:
- Tonic water
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
- Marijuana
You may not be aware that the cup of coffee or black tea in the morning can trigger ringing in your ears. Here’s the good news, it should clear up after the drug is out of your system. Ironically, some medications doctors prescribe to treat tinnitus are also on the list of possible causes such as:
- Prednisone
- Amitriptyline
- Lidocaine
Usually, the tinnitus will clear when you stop using the medication but always talk to your doctor, they will know what’s best for you.
There are very specific symptoms with an ototoxic reaction
The signs or symptoms of tinnitus vary based on your hearing health and which medication you get.
Be on guard for:
- Vomiting
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Poor balance
- Difficulty walking
- Tinnitus
- Blurred vision
Make 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 talk about your symptoms, they will know what’s best.
Also, give us a call today to schedule a hearing test to establish a baseline of your hearing health.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331
