Medication That Can Cause Hearing Loss

 Is hearing loss from antibiotics permanent?

Certain drugs can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss.

HEARING LOSS CAN BE CAUSED BY MEDICATIONS.

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, there are more than 200 prescription and over-the-counter drugs on the market in the United States that can cause hearing loss (ASHA).

Hearing loss can be caused by ototoxic drugs used to treat major infections, cancer, and heart disease. The drugs are especially popular among the elderly, who tend to take heavier medication for longer periods of time.

Medication-induced hearing loss happens when the drugs destroy the sensory cells of the cochlea in the inner ear.

Is it temporary or permanent?

Certain medications can cause temporary hearing loss (temporary threshold shift). Hearing recovers once the medicine is stopped. Other medications have the potential to permanently harm the inner ear, resulting in irreversible hearing loss (permanent threshold shift).

Whenever taken in excessive dosages, aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen and naproxen can cause temporary hearing loss.

Antibiotics and cancer medications

Some aminoglycoside antibiotics, including gentamicin, streptomycin, and neomycin, as well as cancer chemotherapy medicines such as cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, bleomycin, and carboplatin, are ototoxic and cause lasting damage.

Thus according to WebMD, an American health website, hearing loss from antibiotics is prevalent in persons having kidney disease or a history of hearing problems.

Diuretic medications

Diuretics, including furosemide or bumetanide, which are used to treat high increased pulse failure, can induce hearing loss.

The drugs are more likely to cause hearing loss when you take more than one at a time, according to ASHA.

Painkillers

Many pain relievers, chemotherapy, and medicines used to boost sexual function can all cause hearing loss.

A number of scientific investigations have revealed that hearing loss may be an unfortunate side effect of many medications and therapies.

Aspirin, paracetamol, & codeine are all pain relievers that might cause hearing loss. According to a study conducted by experts at Harvard University and other institutions, commonly available medications can cause hearing loss. This is especially important for young guys to be aware of. The study also reveals that the risk of hearing loss increases with age.

Additionally, the use of codeine may result in hearing loss. Codeine is one of the most regularly used medications, and it is used to treat pain, severe coughs, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and other ailments. A study conducted by Australian experts discovered that regular codeine users risk losing half or all of their hearing. Given the widespread use of codeine, a vast number of people worldwide are potentially in danger.

Chemotherapy

Additionally, the Hearing loss can occur as a result of chemotherapy. Hearing loss could be an adverse effect of the chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin. Chemotherapy harms the inner ear's cochlear hair cells, which vibrate in reaction to sound waves. Cisplatin treatment typically causes high-frequency hearing loss, keeping the hearing impairment less noticeable. According to another study, chemotherapy for testicular cancer may result in irreversible hearing loss and long-term tinnitus.

Erectile dysfunction medicines

Furthermore, if you opt to take Viagra or comparable pills to boost your sexual performance, you may be jeopardizing your hearing. A study conducted in the United States found a link between hearing loss and the usage of the erectile dysfunction medication Viagra.

According to the study, the relationship was stronger for males who took sildenafil (Viagra) over those using tadalafil (Cialis) or vardenafil (Levitra). The data revealed an enhanced but not statistically significant increase in hearing loss among tadalafil and vardenafil users.

Examine your hearing.

If you know you're going to start taking an ototoxic medicine, you ought to have your hearing checked also during treatment by a hearing care professional.