Ototoxicity

Ototoxicity

Medications and other chemicals, such as some chemotherapy drugs, can damage the inner ear. It’s called ototoxicity, which can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance disorders. More than 750 types of chemicals are suspected ototoxicants — and there could be others yet to be identified — so awareness plays a big role in reducing ototoxic effects and risks.

There are too many potential ototoxicants to name here, but agencies such as the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration group them into five categories:

• Pharmaceuticals, such as loop diuretics, selected analgesics, some chemotherapy medications, and certain antibiotics
• Solvents, such as toluene, ethylbenzene, and trichloroethylene
• Asphyxiants, such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and tobacco smoke
• Nitriles, such as 3-butenenitrile, cis-2-pentenenitrile, and acrylonitrile
• Metals and compounds, such as mercury compounds, germanium dioxide, and lead

Avoiding the chemical source can help but isn’t always possible, so check with your provider when taking medications; handle chemicals as necessary with care; and get a hearing check before taking ototoxic medications, if any changes in hearing or balance occur, and throughout your treatment.