Tinnitis or ringing in the ears can often be aggravated or produced by Ototoxins. An Ototoxin is defined as any substance that can impair hearing. An ototoxin can enter the body a number of different ways. They can be ingested as a medication or food, absorbed through the skin, or inhaled into the body. Caffeine, alcohol, noise, and nicotine are good examples of ototoxic agents, but there are many others. A numbers of different medications have been determined to be ototoxic. Once they enter the blood stream they are absorbed by the auditory nerve and can increase or produce the aggravating symptoms of tinnitis. Below are listed a few categories of medications that exhibit good evidence as being ototoxic.
Antibiotics have been linked to episodes of tinnitis and many are considered to be ototoxic. Neomycin, streptomycin, gentamicin, tobrmycin, ands others have been classified as potential ototoxins. Much of the problems of antibiotic related tinnitis have been resolved or decreased with the new generation of antibiotics. But if your having problems with tinnitis and you're on antibiotics it's a good idea to make your physician aware of the problem.
Loop Diuretics are another possible source of tinnitis related disturbances. These drugs include such medications such as Lasix, bumex, and edecrin. Unfortunately, there is no cure for subjective tinnitis and sometimes diuretics are prescribed for health conditions that are far more serious. It seems prudent to avoid any unnecessary medication but if you are required to take diuretics and you feel the medication is causing tinnitis it's best to talk with your doctor.
Quinine derivatives such as atabrine, plaquinil, and quinine sulfate appear to have a powerful ototoxic affect on some people. Quinine derivatives taken for malaria can produce serious and long lasting symptoms of tinnitis, and some people are affected with an increased ringing in the ears if they drink a glass of quinine water. Quinine appears to have a powerful effect on the outer hair cells of the cochlea in the middle ear and should be avoided by those suffering with any form of subjective tinnitis.
Aspirin (salycilates) and NSAIDS (non steroid anti-inflammatory agents) including Motrin, advil, naprosyn, and a host of other pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications have been associated with severe tinnitis and hearing reduction. Many over the counter medication contain these substances so when in doubt it's wise to read the label. Severe tinnits and hearing problems are most evident in those that take large doses of these medications for long periods of time such as individuals who must rely on them for treatment of conditions like chronic arthritis. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is not generally thought to be ototoxic although in combination with hydrocodone (codeine) there have been cases of hearing loss and tinnitis.
There are a wide variety of medications, spices, foods, chemicals, and external stressors that can aggravate tinnitis and create hearing loss. If you suffer with the torment of tinntis an awareness of these medications and substances will help you learn to avoid them. Remember there is no cure for tinnitis but there is hope and the often-excruciating symptoms of tinnits can be managed. Tinnitis Free Living.
John Steele is a retired psychiatric nurse and a published author who has suffered with tinnitis for decades. His website at http://www.tinnitis.info reveals the latest treatment and research about the disorder.
He also writes speculative fiction and poetry in the fantasy and horror genres and you can read some of his work at http://www.writersrealm.info
