The ear is one of those parts of your body that has structures so tiny that they can be quite sensitive when it comes to changes in your overall health. People with high blood pressure and smokers have a higher risk of progressive hearing loss. Tinnitus or ringing in the ears can sometimes stem from neck joint issues, TMJ issues from grinding or clenching teeth as well as stress. Similarly, certain types of medications can cause your hearing to play up and may lead to temporary or even permanent hearing damage.
It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to for your overall well-being but also for the health of your ears. It is also helpful to be mindful of what type of treatments and medications have shown to impact hearing. These medications are considered to be damaging to your ears, and surprisingly there are more than 200 of them (crazy right?).
SO.. if you are on medication and notice any symptoms such as hearing loss, vertigo (dizziness) or tinnitus, it is best to come in and book a free hearing check appointment to prevent any further damage that could cause long term problems, and explore other options to benefit you and your hearing. Of course, we always recommend speaking to your doctor or health care professional if you have any concerns as well.
The most common medications known to cause hearing loss are:
- NSAIDs such as naproxen and ibuprofen, particularly in adult men
- Large quantities of aspirin (usually 8 to 12 pills a day)
- Quinine, which is found in muscle relaxants for night cramps and some malaria medications
- Loop diuretics intended for high blood pressure and heart problems
- Certain antibiotics used to treat kidney disease and similar conditions, usually the group known as aminoglycosides
- Certain antidepressants, including the SSRIs Celexa, Luvox, Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft, as well as the tricyclics Clomipramine and Amitriptyline
- Some methods of chemotherapy, such as cisplatin, carboplatin or bleomycin
If your doctor has mentioned starting a medication that may have potential hearing side effects, it might be a good idea to have a simple hearing test before you start the medication. That way you can determine where your hearing is at and having regular checks will show if there has been any change in your overall hearing health.
Simply call us on 8331 8047 to book an appointment at our Unley, Norwood or Salisbury clinics. You can visit www.hearingsense.com.au for more information.
