It’s natural to want to learn about the side effects of a medication when you begin taking it. Can it cause digestive issues? Will it cause your mouth to dry out? Make you sleepy? You may not even be aware of some of the more impactful side effects, including hearing loss. Ototoxicity is the medical name professionals have given this condition and there are many drugs that are known to cause it.
So can this problem be caused by a lot of medications? Well, there are a number of medications known to cause an ototoxic response, but exactly how many is still somewhat uncertain. So, which ones do you need to watch out for and why?
Ototoxicity – what you should know
How can a pill damage your hearing after you take it? There are three distinct places certain drugs can harm your hearing:
- The stria vascularis: The stria vascularis is the part of the cochlea that generates fluid known as endolymph. Both balance and hearing are affected by too much or too little endolymph.
- The vestibule of the ear: This is the part of the ear that sits in the middle of the labyrinth that composes the cochlea. It helps regulate balance. Vestibulotoxicity medications 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, particularly in the high-frequency range.
What is the threat level for each drug?
You may be surprised by the list of drugs that can cause an ototoxic response. Several of them you most likely have in your medicine cabinet even now, and chances are you take them before you go to bed or when you’re dealing with a headache.
At the top of the list of ototoxic medications are over-the-counter pain killers including:
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
You can add salicylates to the list, better known as aspirin. When you stop taking these medications, your hearing will usually go back to normal.
Antibiotics come in as a close second for common ototoxic drugs. Some of these might be familiar:
- Streptomycin
- Tobramycin
- Kanamycin
Tinnitus can also be triggered by several common compounds
Hearing loss can be the result of some medications and others might cause tinnitus. If you hear phantom noises, that may be tinnitus and it typically shows up as:
- A whooshing sound
- Ringing
- Popping
- Thumping
Specific diuretics will also cause tinnitus, here are some of the main offenders:
- Caffeine
- Marijuana
- Tonic water
- Nicotine
Every single time you drink your coffee or black tea in the morning, you are subjecting your body to something that may make your ears ring. Fortunately, once the diuretic has cleared your system, the ringing should recede. Ironically, some drugs doctors prescribe to treat tinnitus are also on the list of potential causes such as:
- Lidocaine
- Amitriptyline
- Prednisone
Usually, the tinnitus will end when you quit taking the medication but always consult your doctor, they will know what’s best for you.
There are very distinct symptoms with an ototoxic reaction
Depending on what specific medications you’re using and the health of your hearing, your particular symptoms will differ.
Here are a few things to check out for:
- Tinnitus
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty walking
- Vomiting
- Poor balance
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
Keep yourself informed by always consulting your physician about the possible side effects of a medication, don’t hesitate to ask about ototoxicity. Get in touch with your doctor right away if you detect any tinnitus symptoms that may have been caused by an ototoxic response.
Also, schedule a hearing exam with us, a baseline hearing test is a proactive measure that can help you preserve good hearing health throughout your life.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331