It’s natural to want to know about the side effects of a medication when you begin using it. Can it cause digestive issues? Will it cause your mouth to dry out? Cause insomnia? You might not even be aware of some of the more impactful side effects, including hearing loss. Lots of different drugs are known to cause this condition which medical professionals label as ototoxicity.
Exactly how many medications are there that can result in this problem? The answer is not clear, but there are plenty that are recognized to trigger ototoxic symptoms. So, which ones should you pay attention to and why?
What you need to know about ototoxicity
How is it possible for your hearing to be affected by medication? Your hearing can be damaged by medication in three distinct 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 sense of sound. Damage to the cochlea impacts the range of sound you can hear, usually beginning with high frequencies then expanding to include lower ones.
- The vestibule of the ear: This is the portion of the ear that sits in the middle of the labyrinth that makes up the cochlea. Its main function is to manage balance. When a medication triggers an ototoxic response to the vestibule of the inner ear, you can experience balance problems and the sensation that the room is spinning.
- The stria vascularis: The stria vascularis is the part of the cochlea that produces fluid known as endolymph. Too much or too little endolymph has a significant effect on both balance and hearing.
Do different drugs have different threat levels?
You may be surprised by the list of medications that can cause an ototoxic response. Several of them you likely have in your medicine cabinet even now, and it’s likely that you take them before you go to bed or when you have a headache.
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 problems caused by these drugs are typically correctable when you stop using them.
Antibiotics come in as a close second for well-known ototoxic medications. You may have heard of some of these:
- Kanamycin
- Tobramycin
- Streptomycin
Tinnitus can also be triggered by a number of common compounds
Hearing loss can be the result of some drugs and others may cause tinnitus. Here are some ways tinnitus may present:
- Ringing
- A whooshing sound
- Thumping
- Popping
Certain diuretics will also cause tinnitus, here are some of the main offenders:
- Nicotine
- Tonic water
- Caffeine
- Marijuana
You might not be aware that the cup of coffee or black tea in the morning can trigger ringing in your ears. Here’s the good news, it should clear up after the drug is out of your system. Ironically, some drugs doctors prescribe to treat tinnitus are also on the list of potential causes such as:
- Lidocaine
- Amitriptyline
- Prednisone
After you discontinue the medication, the symptoms should go away, and your doctor will be there to help you with anything you may need to know.
There are very specific symptoms with an ototoxic response
The signs or symptoms of tinnitus vary depending on your hearing health and which medication you get.
Here are some things to watch out for:
- Tinnitus
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Blurred vision
- Poor balance
- Vomiting
- Difficulty walking
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 might have been caused by an ototoxic reaction.
Also, schedule a hearing test with us, a baseline hearing test is a proactive step that can help you preserve good hearing health throughout your life.
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References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331