How do ototoxic drugs affect hearing health? Learn more about it here.
Many different conditions can affect your ability to hear, and one of them is known as ototoxicity. Ototoxicity is a term that refers to a type of hearing issue that is the result of pharmaceutical medication. In some cases, it can arise due to cancer treatment, serious health issues, or bacterial infections. What should every patient know about ototoxicity and hearing loss?
What Is Ototoxicity?
Depending on your health, you might be prescribed a type of medication to help with another condition that ends up impacting your balance and your ability to hear. These medications are referred to as ototoxic medications. If you are someone who gets ear poisoning as a result of ingesting these medications, you will have ototoxicity. There is a direct connection between ototoxicity and hearing loss.
How Does Ototoxicity Happen?
Any medication that we take has a variety of side effects, and the doctor prescribes the medication because they view the risk of developing side effects as lower than the potential benefits of taking the medication. There are over 200 drugs that are known to be ototoxic, and they are often used to treat very serious conditions like cancer. You might be surprised at how many different medications are linked to ototoxicity and hearing loss. The list includes:
- Aspirin
- Diuretics or water pills
- Quinine
- Aminoglycoside antibiotics
- Many chemotherapy medications
- Environmental toxins like lead, tin, and mercury
The odds of you experiencing ototoxicity and hearing loss will depend on what type of medication you’re taking, how much you are taking, how long you have been taking it, and other factors.
What Can You Do About Ototoxicity?
It’s important to know that your doctor can speak with you about any of your concerns about ototoxicity and hearing loss. If they have prescribed a medication that is ototoxic, they have looked at your medical records and judged that the medication is appropriate for your needs. If you start to notice symptoms of hearing loss or balance problems, you should talk to your doctor immediately and visit an audiologist.
Get Help for Hearing Loss from Clarity Hearing
Need help with your hearing? Clarity Hearing can help. Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions is an independently owned and operated clinic that focuses on quality of care and personalized, friendly service to the surrounding areas of Ellicott City, Catonsville, Columbia. Our Doctors of Audiology are highly trained with advanced degrees and take the time to provide the personalized care and attention that you need and deserve. We provide advanced hearing aid options that are personally calibrated with cutting-edge digital technology to fit your hearing loss, your unique ear anatomy, and your individual listening needs.
You can call us today to schedule a FREE Hearing Protection Consultation at 410-698-6594! For more blog posts, news, and updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.