Is Your Medication Causing Hearing Loss?

Medications that can cause damage to the ear are called ototoxic drugs. Ototoxic drugs can cause tinnitus (damage to the ear that causes ringing in the ears), temporary hearing loss and permanent hearing loss. According to Mayo Clinic neurologist Jerry Swanson, about 200 drugs are considered potentially ototoxic. [http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hearing-loss/AN00874]. The American Hearing Research Foundation attributes fifteen to fifty percent of a certain type of hearing loss called Bilateral Vestibulopathy to an antibiotic called Gentamicin. [www.american-hearing.org/disorders/bilat/bilateral_vestibulopathy.html].

Sometimes the benefits of the medication outweigh the risks. For example, the medication Cisplatin is used in the treatment of cancer. In the case of cancer treatment, the risk of hearing loss is a risk worth taking. For non life threatening conditions, are the risks of hearing loss, a risk worth taking? You might not think so. Doctors and pharmacists don't always alert their patients to the risks of the medications that they are taking. Many people are taking medications and they don't even realize that they are ototoxic. In addition, some over the counter drugs can cause hearing loss. Ibuprofen, the active ingredient in Advil can cause hearing loss if taken in high doses or for a prolonged period of time. The hearing loss is usually temporary and disappears when the ibuprofen is discontinued.

If you are on any kind of medication, whether it is prescription or over the counter and you notice any signs of hearing loss, see a doctor right away. Do not discontinue your medication without first speaking with your doctor. Some medications have serious side-effects if they are discontinued abruptly. It is very important that you don't take higher does of medications than prescribed or than the label states without doctor recommendation because many medications are only ototoxic when taken at high does.

More and more doctors are becoming aware of the problem with ototoxic drugs. Some of these doctors regularly test their patients hearing when they prescribe them potentially ototoxic medications. This can be a very effective tool to catch hearing loss in early stages. Unfortunately not all doctors take these precautions so it is important that you research any medications that you take. It is also important to be aware of any symptoms that you may be having.

If you already having hearing loss or tinnitus, whether the cause is from ototoxic medications or other causes, it is especially important to be aware of the medications that you are taking. It can be helpful to speak with your pharmacist about any ototoxic potential of your medications.

Research is showing that certain vitamins and minerals may be helpful in reducing the likelihood of hearing loss from ototoxic medications. More research is needed at this point, but so far the research is promising. New medications are being developed that are not ototoxic.

It is very important to let your doctor and/or pharmacist know all medications that you are taking, even over the counter ones. Sometimes medications don't mix well and when taken together can either cause harmful effects or even increase the risks of side-effects.

The medical community has long understood that loud noises have a damaging affect on hearing. Loud noise combined with ototoxic medications can increase your risk of hearing loss. You should avoid loud noise anyway, but it is especially important if you are taking ototoxic medications. If you must be around loud noise, wear hearing protection like ear plugs. Protect your ears and protect your hearing!