It’s natural to want to learn about the side effects of a medication when you begin using it. Can it give you a stomach ache? Will it dehydrate you? Make you drowsy? You may not even be aware of 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 cause this issue? Well, there are numerous medications recognized to cause an ototoxic reaction, but exactly how many is still somewhat uncertain. So, which ones should you watch out for and why?
What you need to know about ototoxicity
How can a pill cause problems with your hearing after you take it? There are three distinct places certain 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 transforms sound waves into electrical signals which your brain translates into the perception of sound. Damage to the cochlea affects the range of sound you can hear, usually beginning with high frequencies then extending to include lower ones.
- The vestibule of the ear: The cochlea is like a labyrinth, and sitting right in the center is the vestibule of the ear. Its main function is to regulate balance. Vestibulotoxicity medications can cause you to become 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 result in an ototoxic response. Several of them you probably 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 medications like the following top the list:
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
Aspirin, also called salicylates, is on this list as well. When you quit taking these drugs, your hearing will usually go back to normal.
Next on the list of common ototoxic medications would be certain antibiotics. You may have heard of some of these:
- Tobramycin
- Kanamycin
- Streptomycin
There are also numerous other compounds that can cause tinnitus
Some medications may cause tinnitus and others could lead to loss of hearing. If you hear phantom sounds, that might be tinnitus and it usually shows up as:
- Popping
- Ringing
- Thumping
- A whooshing sound
Specific diuretics will also trigger tinnitus, here are some of the main offenders:
- Marijuana
- Nicotine
- Caffeine
- Tonic water
Each and every time you drink your coffee or black tea in the morning, you are exposing your body to something that may make your ears ring. Fortunately, once the diuretic has cleared your system, the ringing should go away. The following drugs are prescribed to manage tinnitus but ironically, they are themselves diuretics:
- Amitriptyline
- Prednisone
- Lidocaine
Once you discontinue the medication, the symptoms should improve, and your doctor will be there to help you with anything you may need to know.
There are very specific symptoms with an ototoxic reaction
Depending on what specific medications you’re taking and the health of your hearing, your particular symptoms will vary.
Be on guard for:
- Tinnitus
- Blurred vision
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Vomiting
- Difficulty walking
- Poor balance
Keep yourself informed by always consulting your doctor about the possible side effects of a medication, don’t hesitate to ask about ototoxicity. If you experience ototoxicity we suggest immediately contacting your doctor to report your symptoms, they will know the best course of action.
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