Today, Orlando Hearing Services informs readers of medications that can have side effects related to hearing health. Some seemingly harmless medications can actually cause hearing loss such as antibiotic and ibuprofen. There are drugs that are linked to balance disorders and also to a malady called tinnitus, ringing in the ears. Let’s take a look.
What is ototoxicity?
This is a term used to define hearing loss caused by drug use. Ototoxicity effects may be temporary, or the loss could be permanent and irreversible.
There are well over 200 drugs which could cause hearing loss. A patient could experience ringing in the ears which is called tinnitus, reduced coordination, issues with balance, and even vision troubles.
Types of drugs which cause hearing loss (when taken over time) include:
- Antibiotics (most of us have been exposed to these)
- Chemotherapy drugs (can cause permanent damage)
- Vicodin & Percocet (contains acetaminophen) can cause deafness
- Aspirin/ Tylenol (these everyday drugs cause temporary damage)
- Aminoglycoside (for bacterial infection can cause loss
- Quinine (used to treat ear infections can cause hearing loss)
Ask your physician:
When you are prescribed a drug you should go a step further and ask the physician about the known side effects. Most doctors whiz right over this discussion. Ask him or her about how the drug will affect your hearing health. Mainly focus on this one question: Is the drug ototoxic?
The more information you receive the better prepared you will become. Once you know this you can consult with a hearing specialist and stay on top of your hearing health by taking a hearing test at least once a year.
Changing medication at Orlando hearing services:
If you notice a problem with your hearing or if your balance has been impaired you should ask the physician if you can change medications right away. Staying pro-active is the only way to protect your hearing. Avoid all ototoxic drugs when you can. If the medication you are taking cannot be stopped due to a significant health problem then the audiologist in the doctors’ office can help you manage your hearing loss effectively.
Not all drugs are ototoxic that we find at home:
Most of us have the most popular medications available in our medicine cabinets. The doctors at Orlando Hearing services share that pain relievers such as Naproxxim, Ibuprofen, and aspirin are at the top of the list. There is no trouble taking these medications as we need them.
When we stop taking them, as they leave our system, any damage they might cause is completely reversible. There are also some antibiotic drugs that are not ototoxic. These are Gentamycin, Vancomycin, and Erythromycin.
Once you stop using them as the issue clears up there is no danger. As we get older, many of us begin to take other medications as well for high blood pressure, etc. As we add more medications to our lives it is always smart to get an annual hearing test to catch any hearing loss early.
When you visit your physician, ask them if any of your prescriptions would expose you to hearing loss. Taking these drugs over a long period of time is the culprit so check out your daily prescriptions and stay ahead for better hearing health.
Orlando Breast Awareness Month October 2019:
For the past thirty years we have celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. The death rates from this disease have declined over the years, and we are happy to support this great cause for women’s health right here in Central Florida.
Take part this year in raising the alarm and raising money to combat this illness. Encourage all that you love to have a mammogram each and every year to stay pro-active in the fight. Join our family and friends in Orlando as we take part in this great breast cancer awareness walk in Central Florida.
Hurry back for more news from the physicians and staff at Orlando Hearing Services.
Staff Writer
