How can we prevent Ototoxicity?

Many medications can affect hearing. The effect could be fast leading to sudden or a gradually progressing sensory neural hearing loss. In most of the cases I have seen, this hearing loss might take around 10 to 15 years to interfere with the communication. It is suprising to hear that even some very commonly prescribed drugs like aspirin can lead (especially in large doses) to hearing loss (and/or tinnitus). There are medicines which are toxic to the ears being prescribed for the patients, usually this is done in order to treat serious health conditions. Those medicines include Aminoglycosides such as streptomyocin, gentamicin tropamyocin-these drugs usually causes balance related issues since it is toxic to vestibular system, but in higher doses it can cause hearing loss also. where as neomycin, Kanamycin, Amikacin, Sisomicin causes hearing problems since it is toxic to cochlea. loop diuretics such as furosemide and platinum-based chemotherapy agents such as cisplatin, carboplatin, and vincristine. A number of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have also been shown to be ototoxic. This can result in sensorineural hearing loss,balance proplems, or both. Also some chemicals in the enviornment and some related to occupation can also effect the hearing.

Caution to be taken : If you are already diagnosed for Hearing loss and again you want to undergo a long term medication for some other illness just check with your doctor whether those medicines have any significant effect on hearing.