It’s normal to want to learn about the side effects of a medication when you start using it. Can it upset your stomach? Will it cause dry mouth? Make you sleepy? You may not even know about some of the more impactful side effects, including hearing loss. Ototoxicity is the medical term professionals have given this condition and there are lots of drugs that are known to cause it.
So can this issue be caused by a lot of drugs? The answer is uncertain, but there are plenty that are recognized to trigger ototoxic symptoms. So which drugs do you personally need to be aware of?
What you need to know about ototoxicity
How is it possible for your hearing to be impacted by medication? Your hearing can be harmed by medication in three distinct places:
- The vestibule of the ear: This is the part of the ear situated in the middle of the labyrinth that composes the cochlea. Its principal function is to manage balance. When a medication triggers an ototoxic response to the vestibule of the inner ear, you can experience balance issues and the sensation that the room is spinning.
- 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: Found in the cochlea, the stria vascularis produces endolymph, the fluid in the inner ear. Too much or too little endolymph has a substantial impact on both hearing and balance.
Do different drugs have different risk levels?
You might be surprised by the list of medications that can result in an ototoxic reaction. Ototoxic medications are rather common and the majority of individuals have several of them in their medicine cabinets right now.
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 issues due to these drugs are generally correctable when you stop using them.
Antibiotics are a close second for prevalent ototoxic drugs. You might have heard of some of these:
- Tobramycin
- Kanamycin
- Streptomycin
Tinnitus can also be triggered by a number of common compounds
Hearing loss can be the result of some medications and others may trigger tinnitus. If you hear phantom noises, that might be tinnitus and it normally shows up as:
- Ringing
- A whooshing sound
- Popping
- Thumping
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
- Marijuana
- Nicotine
You might not be aware that the cup of coffee or black tea in the morning can trigger ringing in your ears. The good news is it should clear up once the chemical is out of your system. Ironically, some drugs doctors prescribe to manage tinnitus are also on the list of potential causes such as:
- Lidocaine
- Amitriptyline
- Prednisone
After you stop using the medication, the symptoms should clear up, and your doctor will be there to help you with whatever you may need to know.
Ototoxicity has particular symptoms
The signs or symptoms of tinnitus differ based on your hearing health and which medication you get.
Be on guard for:
- Tinnitus
- Difficulty walking
- Poor balance
- Blurred vision
- Vomiting
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
Be sure you consult your doctor about any side effects the medication they prescribed may 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, 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