It’s normal to want to know about the side effects of a medication when you begin taking it. Can it trigger digestive issues? Will it dehydrate you? Make you drowsy? There may 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 call ototoxicity.
So can this problem be triggered by a lot of drugs? Well, there are a number of medications recognized to trigger an ototoxic reaction, but just how many is still somewhat uncertain. 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? Your hearing can be damaged by medication in three different places:
- The cochlea: The cochlea is part of the inner ear, shaped like a seashell, that transforms 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 beginning with high frequencies then expanding to include lower ones.
- 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 vestibule of the ear: The cochlea is like a labyrinth, and situated right in the middle is the vestibule of the ear. It helps manage balance. When a medication produces an ototoxic reaction to the vestibule of the inner ear, you can experience balance issues and the sensation that the room is spinning.
Do different drugs have different risk levels?
You might be surprised by the list of medications that can result in an ototoxic response. Several of them you likely have in your medicine cabinet even now, and chances are you take them before you go to bed or when you have a headache.
Over-the-counter pain medications like the following top the list:
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
Aspirin, also known as salicylates, is on this list too. The hearing problems caused by these drugs are generally correctable when you quit using them.
Antibiotics are a close second for well-known ototoxic medications. 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 result in loss of hearing. Here are a few ways tinnitus may present:
- A whooshing sound
- Thumping
- Ringing
- Popping
Various diuretics can also result in tinnitus, including brand names Lasix, Bumex, and Diamox but the primary offenders in this category are things like:
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
- Marijuana
- Tonic water
Every time you drink your coffee or black tea in the morning, you are subjecting your body to something that could make your ears ring. Luckily, once the diuretic has cleared your system, the ringing should recede. The following medications are prescribed to treat tinnitus but ironically, they are themselves diuretics:
- Lidocaine
- Amitriptyline
- Prednisone
Normally, the tinnitus will clear when you quit using the medication but always consult your doctor, they will know what’s best for you.
Ototoxicity has specific symptoms
The signs or symptoms of tinnitus vary based on your hearing health and which medication you get.
Be on guard for:
- Difficulty walking
- Tinnitus
- Blurred vision
- Poor balance
- Vomiting
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
Make sure you consult your doctor about any possible side effects the medication they prescribed might have, including ototoxicity. Get in touch with your doctor right away if you experience any tinnitus symptoms that may have been caused by an ototoxic response.
Also, call us today to schedule a hearing exam to establish a baseline of your hearing health.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331