In some cases, people experience tinnitus or hearing loss that can be reversed with the help from an ENT doctor. At Orlando ENT Hearing Center, patients may leave their first visit with a plan to bring back better hearing. Today, readers will discover more ototoxic medications which may be causing tinnitus or hearing loss.
Antibiotics and hearing issues:
Last week, we shared about a handful of ototoxic medications that can cause tinnitus and hearing loss. The following are antibiotics we have discussed already and can be reviewed at any time:
- tobramycin
- gentamicin
- azithromycin
- clarithromycin
- ciprofloxacin
- moxifloxacin
- isotretinoin
In addition to the previously listed antibiotics, the following medications are also potentially harmful to one’s hearing:
- NSAIDs
- benzodiazepines
- antidepressants
- loop diuretics
More ototoxic medications:
Beta blocker medications ending in “-ol” are used for the treatment of high blood pressure. They are also prescribed to people with coronary artery disease to improve survival. Tinnitus tends to be rare with beta blocker use but appears to be more common with bisoprolol and nebivolol.
Discuss alternatives in the same class with your team of doctors if you notice tinnitus. ACE inhibitors are used to lower blood pressure as well. Unfortunately, this mediation may cause ringing in the ear. Those drugs often end in “-il” such as lisinopril, enalapril, and ramipril.
ARBs, or angiotensin receptor blockers are very similar medications. They appear to carry the same extremely rare tinnitus risk, so you may not need to worry about ARBs as much. According to GoodRx, reports of tinnitus occurred with one ARB called irbesartan with the name brand of Avapro.
Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine have even been in the news before for off-label use in the treatment of COVID-19. It is noteworthy that both medications may cause tinnitus along with hearing loss and vertigo. The hearing loss is considered irreversible making this more important to consider.
It has been heavily debated, but several studies show the risks far outweigh the reward for using these drugs for COVID-19 treatment so far.
To carefully preserve and protect your hearing, make an appointment today if you experience any amount of ringing or tinnitus in either ear. The same goes for the urgency of any signs of hearing loss. If you notice even the slightest sign, make an quick appointment to be examined by an ENT doctor at Orlando ENT Hearing Services!
Staff Writer
