It’s normal to want to know about the side effects of a medication when you begin using it. Can it give you a stomach ache? Will it cause dry mouth? Make you drowsy? You may not even know about some of the more impactful side effects, such as hearing loss. Ototoxicity is the medical name professionals have given this condition and there are lots of drugs that are known to cause it.
Specifically how many drugs are there that can lead to this problem? Well, there are numerous medications known to cause an ototoxic reaction, but exactly how many is still rather unclear. So, which ones should you watch out for and why?
Ototoxicity – what you should know
How is it possible for your hearing to be impacted by medication? There are three different places specific drugs can damage your hearing:
- The stria vascularis: The stria vascularis is the part of the cochlea that produces fluid known as endolymph. Both hearing and balance are affected by too much or too little endolymph.
- 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 compromised, you will start to lose some frequencies of sound, particularly in the high-frequency range.
- The vestibule of the ear: This is the part of the ear situated in the middle of the labyrinth that makes up the cochlea. Its principal function is to manage balance. Vestibulotoxicity medications can cause you to get dizzy or feel like the room is spinning.
What is the threat level for each drug?
You may be surprised by the list of medications that can cause an ototoxic response. 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’re dealing with a headache.
Over-the-counter pain medication like the following top the list:
- Naproxen
- Ibuprofen
Aspirin, also called salicylates, is on this list as well. When you stop using these medications, your hearing will typically go back to normal.
Antibiotics are a close second for prevalent ototoxic drugs. Some of these may be familiar:
- Kanamycin
- Streptomycin
- Tobramycin
There are also a number of other compounds that can trigger tinnitus
Hearing loss can be the outcome of some medications and others may cause tinnitus. Here are some ways tinnitus may present:
- A whooshing sound
- Ringing
- Thumping
- Popping
Specific diuretics will also trigger tinnitus, here are some of the primary offenders:
- Caffeine
- Marijuana
- Tonic water
- Nicotine
Each and every time you drink your coffee or black tea in the morning, you are exposing your body to something that could make your ears ring. Luckily, once the diuretic has cleared your system, the ringing should go away. Ironically, some drugs doctors prescribe to manage tinnitus are also on the list of potential causes such as:
- Prednisone
- Amitriptyline
- Lidocaine
Normally, the tinnitus will clear when you quit using the medication but always seek advice from your doctor, they will know what’s best for you.
Ototoxicity has specific symptoms
The signs or symptoms of tinnitus differ based on your hearing health and which medication you get.
Be on guard for:
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty walking
- Poor balance
- Tinnitus
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Vomiting
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 reaction.
Also, schedule a hearing test with us, a baseline hearing test is a practical step that can help you preserve good hearing health throughout your life.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331
