It’s normal to want to understand the side effects of a medication when you start using it. Can it upset your stomach? Will it dehydrate you? Cause sleeplessness? You might not even know about some of the more impactful side effects, like 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 issue be caused by a lot of medications? Well, there are a number of medications recognized to cause an ototoxic reaction, but just how many is still rather uncertain. So, which ones do you need to watch out for and why?
What to know about ototoxicity
How can a pill damage your ears after you take it? Your hearing can be damaged by medication in three different places:
- The vestibule of the ear: The cochlea is like a labyrinth, and sitting right in the middle is the vestibule of the ear. It helps regulate balance. When a medication produces an ototoxic response to the vestibule of the inner ear, you can experience balance issues and the sensation that the room is spinning.
- The stria vascularis: Located in the cochlea, the stria vascularis makes endolymph, the fluid in the inner ear. Too much or too little endolymph has a significant effect on both balance and hearing.
- 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 sense of sound. Damage to the cochlea impacts the range of sound you can hear, usually starting with high frequencies then extending to include lower ones.
What is the risk level for each drug?
You might be surprised by the list of drugs that can cause an ototoxic reaction. Several of them you probably have in your medicine cabinet even now, and chances are you take them before you go to bed or when you have a headache.
At the top of the list of ototoxic medications are over-the-counter pain relievers including:
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
Aspirin, also known as salicylates, is on this list too. The hearing problems caused by these drugs are typically reversible when you stop taking them.
Next on the list of common ototoxic drugs would be certain antibiotics. Some of these might be familiar:
- Streptomycin
- Tobramycin
- Kanamycin
There are also a number of other compounds that can trigger tinnitus
Some medications might cause tinnitus and others could result in loss of hearing. If you hear phantom sounds, that may be tinnitus and it normally shows up as:
- Popping
- Thumping
- A whooshing sound
- Ringing
Specific diuretics will also cause tinnitus, here are some of the primary offenders:
- Marijuana
- Tonic water
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
You might not be aware that the cup of coffee or black tea in the morning can trigger ringing in your ears. Luckily, 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 possible causes such as:
- Amitriptyline
- Lidocaine
- Prednisone
Usually, the tinnitus will end when you stop taking 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 depending on your hearing health and which medication you get.
Be on guard for:
- Vomiting
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Poor balance
- Blurred vision
- Tinnitus
- Difficulty walking
Be sure you consult your doctor about any possible side effects the medication they prescribed may have, including ototoxicity. If you experience ototoxicity we recommend immediately contacting your doctor to talk about your symptoms, they will know the best course of action.
Also, schedule a hearing test with us, a baseline hearing test is a practical step that can help you maintain good hearing health throughout your life.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331