It’s normal to want to understand the side effects of a medication when you start taking it. Can it trigger digestive issues? Will it cause your mouth to dry out? Cause insomnia? There might also be a more severe possible side effect that you may not think of – hearing loss. Lots of different drugs are known to trigger this condition which medical professionals label as ototoxicity.
So can this problem be triggered by a lot of drugs? Well, there are a number of medications known to cause an ototoxic response, but exactly how many is still rather uncertain. So which medications do you personally need to be aware of?
What to know about ototoxicity
How is it possible for your hearing to be affected by medication? There are three distinct places specific drugs can damage your hearing:
- The stria vascularis: The stria vascularis is the portion of the cochlea that generates fluid called endolymph. Both hearing and balance are impacted by too much or too little endolymph.
- The vestibule of the ear: The cochlea is like a labyrinth, and situated right in the center is the vestibule of the ear. Its primary function is to regulate balance. Vestibulotoxicity drugs can cause you to get 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. Damage to the cochlea impacts the range of sound you can hear, typically starting with high frequencies then extending to include lower ones.
What is the risk level for each drug?
You may be surprised by the list of drugs that can cause an ototoxic reaction. Many of them you most likely have in your medicine cabinet even now, and it’s likely that you take them before you go to bed or when you have a headache.
Over-the-counter pain medications including the following top the list:
- Naproxen
- Ibuprofen
You can add salicylates to the list, which is aspirin. The hearing problems due to these drugs are normally reversible when you quit using them.
Next on the list of common ototoxic medications would be specific antibiotics. You may have heard of some of these:
- Tobramycin
- Kanamycin
- Streptomycin
Tinnitus can also be triggered by several common compounds
Some medications may cause tinnitus and others could result in loss of hearing. Here are some ways tinnitus may present:
- Popping
- A whooshing sound
- Thumping
- Ringing
Some diuretics can also lead to tinnitus, including brand names Lasix, Bumex, and Diamox but the primary offenders in this category are things like:
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
- Marijuana
- Tonic water
You might not be aware that the cup of coffee or black tea in the morning can cause ringing in your ears. Here’s the good news, it should improve once the chemical is out of your system. The following drugs are prescribed to treat tinnitus but ironically, they are themselves diuretics:
- Amitriptyline
- Prednisone
- Lidocaine
Usually, the tinnitus will end when you stop using the medication but always seek advice from your doctor, they will know what’s best for you.
There are very distinct symptoms with an ototoxic response
The signs or symptoms of tinnitus vary depending on your hearing health and which medication you get.
Here are some things to watch out for:
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty walking
- Poor balance
- Vomiting
- Tinnitus
Keep yourself informed by always consulting your physician about the potential side effects of a medication, don’t hesitate to ask about ototoxicity. If you experience ototoxicity we suggest immediately contacting your doctor to talk about your symptoms, they will know the best course of action.
Also, contact us today to set up a hearing test to establish a baseline of your hearing health.
Call Today to Set Up an Appointment
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331