Can Your Medication Affect Your Hearing? Here’s What You Should Know and How We Can Help
When we talk about hearing loss and the potential causes, we often focus on the effects of loud noise or our age – but many common medications can also impact your hearing and balance.
What is Ototoxicity?
Ototoxicity is the medical term for ‘ear poisoning’ caused by certain medications. These drugs can damage the inner ear, affecting both hearing and balance. Sometimes the effects are temporary, but often the damage is permanent, especially if early signs are ignored.
Source (click name to read more): Cleveland Clinic.
Which Medications Can Affect Your Hearing?
These are five common categories of medication known to cause hearing loss or tinnitus:
1. Aminoglycoside Antibiotics (e.g. gentamicin, streptomycin, neomycin)
These powerful antibiotics are often used to treat serious infections. Unfortunately, they can be highly toxic to the inner ear, especially when used at high doses or over long periods. Up to 60% of patients may experience some level of hearing damage.
Source: National Library of Medicine.
Source: Wikipedia.
2. Chemotherapy Drugs (e.g. cisplatin, carboplatin)
These platinum-based medications are essential for cancer treatment but are strongly linked to irreversible hearing loss, particularly at high doses. Children are especially vulnerable.
Source: Wikipedia.
Source: Healthline.
3. Loop Diuretics (e.g. furosemide, bumetanide)
Used to treat heart failure and high blood pressure, loop diuretics can cause temporary hearing loss, especially when dispensed intra-venously or in high doses.
Source: Verywell Health.
Source: Healthline.
4. Painkillers and NSAIDs (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, paracetamol)
Regular use of over-the-counter painkillers has been associated with an increased risk of tinnitus and hearing loss. In one study, women under 60 who used aspirin six or more times per week had a 16% higher risk of tinnitus. Long-term use of NSAIDs or paracetamol also increased the risk by up to 20%. Thankfully, most effects are reversible once the medication is stopped.
Source: Verywell Health.
Source: The Independent.
5. Antimalarials and Autoimmune Drugs (e.g. quinine, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine)
These drugs are used for malaria, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, but they’ve also been linked to tinnitus, hearing loss, and vertigo – particularly after prolonged use.
Source: Healthline.
Source: Verywell Health.
Who’s Most at Risk?
Your risk of ototoxicity may be higher if you already have hearing loss, have kidney or liver disease, are taking more than one ototoxic drug, are elderly or very young, or have a genetic predisposition.
Source: Wikipedia.
Source: Healthline.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
If you’re taking medication and notice any changes in your hearing or balance, don’t ignore it. Here’s what to do:
Ask us! Ask your GP or pharmacist
Always ask: Could this medicine affect my hearing?
Get a baseline hearing test
Before starting ototoxic medication, it’s smart to get a professional hearing check.
Monitor regularly
If you’re on high-risk medication, schedule regular follow-ups with your audiologist.
Don’t stop medication suddenly
Never stop taking prescribed medication without professional advice, but do raise concerns early.
We’re here to help.
At Hearing Healthcare Practice, we understand how essential your medication can be, and how frustrating side effects are. Our team can help you monitor your hearing, to offer advice, to catch changes early, and offer peace of mind.