Prescription Drugs and Hearing Loss

The dangers of prescription drug side effects have received a lot of attention from the media in recent years. Most people have heard stories about blood clots, mood swings, or liver damage related to various types of drug. However, less attention has been paid to a widespread and harmful side effect of many different substances: damage to the hearing system.

No matter what is causing hearing loss for an individual, it can be a frustrating and potentially life-altering problem. Fortunately, many different kinds of hearing-related technology are available today that can help you adjust to this condition. To learn more, call one of HearingPlanet’s hearing aid specialists at 1-800-432-7669.

The Side Effects of Ototoxins

An ototoxin is a substance that can damage the auditory nerve, cochlea (an organ in the inner ear that plays a vital role in hearing), or the vestibular system (which controls our sense of balance). When a person is exposed to an ototoxin, the side effects can include:

• Hearing loss (especially high frequency sounds)
• Vertigo (a persistent sense of dizziness or “spinning”)
• Tinnitus (hearing sounds with no external cause, or “ringing in the ears”)
• Hyperacusis (a painfully high sensitivity to sound)

All of these problems can be irritating and profoundly disrupt a person’s life. For some people, they will cease when use of the ototoxin ceases, or shortly thereafter. Sadly, some people suffer permanent hearing damage after using certain drugs.

Ototoxic Drugs

It is difficult to determine the true risk of hearing loss caused by prescription drugs, since people do not always make the connection between their prescriptions and their symptoms. Some prescription and over-the-counter drugs that have been connected to hearing loss in some patients include:

• Frequent use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like aspirin)
• Certain antibiotics
• Antidepressant medications
• Drugs to treat hypertension
• Certain kinds of chemotherapy

If you have used any of these drugs, talk to your doctor about the risk of hearing impairment.

Contact a Hearing Aid Expert

The use of a high quality hearing aid can make adjusting to permanent hearing loss much easier. To learn about affordable hearing aids that may help you, contact HearingPlanet’s hearing aid consultants at 1-800-432-7669.