You know the most common causes of hearing loss: old age and exposure to loud noises. But did you know that the medications you take could contribute to hearing loss? When a medication causes hearing loss or other auditory dysfunction, it is said to be ototoxic. Below we review the symptoms of ototoxicity and what drugs tend to be ototoxic.
Ototoxicity Symptoms
Within the inner ear is the cochlea, which contains hair cells that translate sound vibrations into electrical signals; the auditory nerve, which carries the electrical signals to the brain; and the vestibular nerve, which helps you orient yourself in space and maintain balance. Any of these parts of the inner ear can be affected by ototoxic drugs.
Because of this, it’s not just hearing loss that’s a symptom of ototoxicity, but also imbalance while working out at MUV Fitness.
Possible symptoms of ototoxicity include:
- Hearing loss in one or both ears.
- Increased sensitivity to noise (hyperacusis).
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
- Feeling of fullness in the ears.
- Dizziness.
- Vertigo.
- Unsteady gait.
- Loss of coordination.
- Oscillating vision.
These symptoms may develop rapidly or over the course of several months.
Ototoxic Drugs
There are over 200 drugs known to have ototoxic effects. Some of them are listed below.
Chemotherapy Drugs
The class of drugs most commonly associated with ototoxicity includes chemotherapy drugs such as oxaliplatin, nitrogen mustard, carboplatin and cisplatin. Cisplatin, in particular, is associated with symptoms of ototoxicity in as many as 50% of users, likely because it targets fast-replicating cells, including auditory hair cells.
Aminoglycoside & Non-Aminoglycoside Antibiotics
Aminoglycoside antibiotics that have ototoxic effects include amikacin, dihydrostreptomycin, gentamicin, kanamycin A, netilmicin, ribostamycin, streptomycin and tobramycin. Non-aminoglycoside antibiotics with ototoxic effects include erythromycin and vancomycin.
Loop Diuretics
Loop diuretics like bumetanide, torsemide, ethacrynic acid and furosemide may have ototoxic effects.
Salicylates
Even common medications like aspirin, chloroquine and quinine can be ototoxic.
What If I’m Taking One of These Drugs?
If you’re taking an ototoxic medication, you can discuss possible alternatives with your doctor. If you’re experiencing symptoms of ototoxicity, the best thing you can do is schedule an appointment with an expert audiologist. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the experts at Columbia Hearing Centers today.