Monitoring for Ototoxicity

Medicines that damage the ear and cause hearing loss are known as ototoxic medicines. They are a common cause of hearing loss, especially in older adults who have to take medicine on a regular basis. In most cases, hearing loss occurs because the medicine damages the cochlea in the inner ear.

Hearing loss caused by an ototoxic medicine tends to develop quickly. The first symptoms are usually tinnitus and vertigo. Hearing usually returns to normal after you stop taking the medicine. However, some medicines can cause permanent damage to the inner ear. This results in permanent hearing loss even if you stop taking the medicine.

Commonly used medicines that may cause hearing loss include:

• Aspirin – when taken in large doses.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen and naproxen.
• Certain antibiotics, especially aminoglycosides such as gentamicin, streptomycin and neomycin. Hearing related side effects from these antibiotics are most common in patients who have kidney disease or who already have ear or hearing problems.
• Loop diuretics used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, such as furosemide (Lasix) and or bumetanide.
• Medicines used to treat cancer, including cyclophosphamide, cisplatin and bleomycin.

Hearing related side effects are more likely when two or more of these medicines are taken in tandem.

High Frequency Audiometry (10-16kHz) is a sensitive tool in the early detection of ototoxic hearing loss. Most audiometric testing equipment cannot test in these frequencies. Auditone Hearing can provide this service to help doctors identify at the earliest stage possible, the onset of hearing loss due to ototoxicity. Armed with this information doctors may adjust or lower the dosage, or change to an alternative drug to reduce or prevent further hearing loss. 

Auditone Hearing can now provide High Frequency Audiometry to patients in hospitals, doctors surgeries or even in the patient’s own home.

If you require any further information regarding our High Frequency Audiometry testing programme or wish to book an appointment please feel free to contact us at 021-4271351