Five Common Medicines That Could Be Harming Your Hearing
Could Your Medication Be Affecting Your Hearing?
When most people think about side effects of medication, they imagine nausea, drowsiness, or headaches. What many don’t realise is that certain drugs can quietly affect your ears – sometimes causing permanent changes.
This problem is called ototoxicity (literally “toxic to the ear”). It refers to damage in the inner ear caused by specific medications, affecting both hearing and balance.
Common symptoms include:
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Struggling to hear high-pitched sounds
- Feeling unsteady or dizzy
- A blocked or “full” sensation in the ears
Because the delicate hair cells inside the cochlea don’t regenerate once damaged, some hearing changes linked to medication may be irreversible. Experts estimate that over 200 types of medicine have the potential to impact hearing.
Below are some of the most common categories to be aware of:
1. Antibiotics
A group known as aminoglycosides (gentamicin, streptomycin, tobramycin) are vital in treating serious infections such as sepsis and tuberculosis. Unfortunately, they’re also well-known for causing hearing damage. These medicines can linger in the ear for weeks, meaning the risk doesn’t end when the course of treatment finishes.
Other antibiotics, such as erythromycin or vancomycin, can also cause problems, particularly in older adults or people with kidney conditions.
2. Heart & Blood Pressure Drugs
Loop diuretics such as furosemide and bumetanide are often used to manage heart failure and high blood pressure. High doses can temporarily disturb inner ear fluid balance, sometimes leading to hearing problems. Some patients also report tinnitus while taking ACE inhibitors or calcium channel blockers.
3. Chemotherapy Treatments
Platinum-based drugs such as cisplatin and carboplatin are very effective in treating cancers but are also strongly linked with permanent hearing loss. In fact, studies suggest up to 60% of patients receiving cisplatin experience hearing changes, especially if radiotherapy is directed near the head or neck.
4. Everyday Painkillers
Even common pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and paracetamol can affect hearing if taken in high doses or over long periods. These effects are often temporary, but repeated use can increase the risk of tinnitus or hearing loss.
5. Antimalarial & Related Drugs
Quinine, chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine – often prescribed for malaria, lupus, or arthritis – are linked to tinnitus and hearing changes. Some people recover once the medication is stopped, but others may experience lasting effects after long-term use.
What You Can Do
If you’re prescribed one of these medicines, don’t panic – in many cases the treatment is essential, and the benefits outweigh the risks. But it’s wise to be proactive:
✅ Ask your doctor or pharmacist if your medicine carries a risk to your hearing.
✅ Watch for warning signs such as tinnitus, dizziness, or muffled sounds.
✅ Protect your ears from noise during treatment to reduce additional strain.
✅ Book a hearing test before and during treatment to track any changes.
Local Hearing Care You Can Trust
At Coastal Hearing, we regularly support patients across Colwyn Bay, Prestatyn, Mold, and Anglesey who are worried about the impact of medication on their hearing.
Whether you’ve noticed tinnitus, dizziness, or a drop in hearing, our expert audiologists can:
- Carry out a full hearing assessment
- Monitor your hearing over time
- Provide advice on protecting your ears
- Offer tailored solutions if hearing changes have already occurred
📞 Call us today to book your appointment at your nearest clinic.