Going over the side effects of a medication when you first begin taking it is a normal thing to do. You want to find out if you can expect to feel nauseous or if it will give you dry mouth. There is a more serious potential side effect that you may not recognize which is hearing loss. It’s a condition medical experts call ototoxicity. Broken down, ototoxic means ear poisoning.
It’s not completely clear how many drugs lead to this problem, but there are at least 130 that are known to be ototoxic. Which ones should you watch out for and why?
Some Facts About Ototoxicity
How can a pill reap havoc on your ears after you swallow it? these drugs can damage your hearing in three different places:
- The stria vascularis – Located in the cochlea, the stria vascularis generates endolymph, the fluid in the inner ear. Too much or too little endolymph has a significant impact on both hearing and balance.
- The cochlea – That’s the seashell-shaped element of the inner ear that takes sound and converts it into an electrical signal the brain can comprehend. Damage to the cochlea impacts the range of sound you can hear, usually starting with high frequencies then escalating to include lower ones.
- The vestibule of the ear – This is the part of the ear that sits in the middle of the labyrinth that comprises the cochlea. It helps manage balance. Vestibulotoxicity drugs can make you dizzy or feel like the room is spinning.
In addition to the drugs that can result in loss of hearing, there are some that cause tinnitus only. Tinnitus is a phantom sound people hear that usually presents as:
- Popping
- Ringing
- Thumping
- A windy sound
When you discontinue the medication, the tinnitus usually stops. However, permanent hearing loss can be caused by some of these drugs.
What is The Risk Level For Each Drug?
The checklist of drugs that can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss might surprise you. You probably take some of these drugs when you are in pain and you might have some of them in your medicine cabinet right now.
Over the counter pain relievers top the list of ototoxic medications:
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
You can add to this list salicylates that you may know better as aspirin. The hearing problems caused by these medications are usually reversible when you quit taking them.
Coming in a close second for common ototoxic medications are antibiotics. Some antibiotics are ototoxic but many aren’t. a few that aren’t which you might have heard of include:
- Gentamycin
- Vancomycin
- Erythromycin
As with the painkillers, the problem goes away when you stop taking the antibiotic. Other drugs on the ordinary list include:
- Quinine
- Chloroquine
- Quinidine
Some diuretics can result in tinnitus, such as brand names Lasix, Bumex, and Diamox but the leading offenders in this category are things like: Each and every time you enjoy your coffee in the morning, you are subjecting your body to something that could cause your ears to ring. The good news is it will clear up once the drug leaves your system. Ironically, some drugs doctors prescribe to treat tinnitus are also on the list of potential causes such as: However, the dosage that will lead to tinnitus is a lot more than the doctor will generally prescribe. The signs or symptoms of tinnitus can vary based on your ear health and which medication you get. Typically, you can expect anything from mildly annoying to completely incapacitating. Look for: Contact your physician if you notice any of these symptoms after taking medication even over-the-counter drugs or herbal supplements. If you have ototoxicity does that mean you shouldn’t take your medication? You should never stop using what your doctor tells you to. These symptoms are only temporary so keep that in mind. Keep yourself informed by always asking your doctor about the possible side effects of a medication and don’t hesitate to ask about ototoxicity. Also, schedule a hearing exam with a hearing care expert.
What Are the Symptoms of Ototoxicity?
