It’s normal to want to learn about the side effects of a medication when you begin taking it. Can it cause digestive problems? Will it cause your mouth to dry out? Cause insomnia? You might not even be aware of some of the more impactful side effects, like hearing loss. Many different drugs are known to trigger this condition which medical professionals label as ototoxicity.
So can this issue be caused by a lot of medications? The answer is not clear, but there are plenty that are recognized to cause ototoxic symptoms. So which drugs do you personally need to know about?
What you need to know about ototoxicity
How can a pill cause problems with your hearing after you swallow it? Your hearing can be harmed by medication in three different places:
- The stria vascularis: The stria vascularis is the portion of the cochlea that produces fluid known as endolymph. Too much or too little endolymph has a significant effect on both balance and hearing.
- The vestibule of the ear: This is the part of the ear situated in the middle of the labyrinth that makes up the cochlea. Its primary function is to regulate balance. When a medication causes an ototoxic reaction 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 converts sound waves into electrical signals which your brain translates into the perception of sound. When the cochlea is damaged, you will start to lose some frequencies of sound, especially in the high-frequency range.
Do different drugs have different risk levels?
The checklist of drugs that can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss may surprise you. Ototoxic medications are pretty common and the majority of individuals have a few of them in their medicine cabinets right now.
Over-the-counter pain medications including the following top the list:
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
You can add salicylates to the list, which is aspirin. When you stop using these medications, your hearing will usually go back to normal.
Antibiotics are a close second for common ototoxic drugs. Some of these may be familiar:
- Kanamycin
- Streptomycin
- Tobramycin
Tinnitus can also be triggered by several common compounds
Hearing loss can be the outcome of some drugs and others may trigger tinnitus. If you hear phantom sounds, that may be tinnitus and it typically shows up as:
- Thumping
- A whooshing sound
- Ringing
- Popping
Various diuretics can also result in tinnitus, including brand names Lasix, Bumex, and Diamox but the leading offenders in this category are things like:
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
- Tonic water
- Marijuana
You might not be aware that the cup of coffee or black tea in the morning can cause ringing in your ears. Luckily, once the diuretic has cleared your system, the ringing should go away. Ironically, some drugs doctors prescribe to treat tinnitus are also on the list of possible causes such as:
- Amitriptyline
- Prednisone
- Lidocaine
Normally, the tinnitus will end 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 depending on your ear health and which medication you get.
Here are some things to watch out for:
- Vomiting
- Hearing loss on one or both sides
- Blurred vision
- Poor balance
- Difficulty walking
- Tinnitus
Keep yourself informed by always asking your doctor about the potential 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 may 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 maintain good hearing health throughout your life.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7985331
