5 common medications that may damage your hearing

On a prescription drug for high blood pressure? Do you regularly take over-the-counter pain medication for headaches? Those medicines might help you feel better. But they could also make your hearing worse.

Almost everyone’s hearing gets a little worse as they reach their 50s and 60s, And about 10% of adults ages 55 to 64 have disabling hearing loss. That percentage more than doubles to 22% for adults ages 65 to 74, then jumps to 55% for those 75 and older.¹

So, yes, the passing years may damage your hearing. As can loud noises. But other things can also affect short- or long-term hearing. One of the more surprising ones may be inside your medicine cabinet or pillbox.

Anywhere from 200 to 600 medicines may affect your hearing, says Andrew Spector, M.D. He’s an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor at Dartmouth Health in Manchester, New Hampshire. “With any medication, there’s always a list of side effects. But some drugs can harm your hearing.”

Those drugs are described as ototoxic. That means they can damage your inner ear. They might cause hearing loss, ringing in your ears or even dizziness. Sometimes, the problem stops when you stop taking the medication. But sometimes, the damage is permanent.²

That doesn’t mean you should stop taking your medicine though. “Report any changes you notice,” advises Dr. Spector. “Your doctor may be able to lower the dose or change your medications.”

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How do ototoxic medications affect hearing?

These medicines range from some heavy-duty antibiotics to over-the-counter pain relievers to chemotherapy drugs that people take for cancer.² Some medications may destroy the tiny hairs deep within your inner ear. Others may damage different parts of your ear.³ And some may cause temporary ringing in your ears.²

“Each of these drugs can cause hearing loss in a different way,” explains Dr. Spector. “That’s why you need to recognize the warning signs.” Before starting a new medication, talk to your primary care provider (PCP), ENT or pharmacist about possible side effects.

Symptoms to watch out for

Pay close attention if you have any of these symptoms after taking a new medication:^{4, 5}

• You have trouble hearing sounds you could easily hear before.
• Your previous hearing loss is getting worse.
• You feel dizzy or feel like you or the room is spinning.
• Your vision is blurry.
• You feel nauseous.
• You have trouble with balance.
• You have a feeling of fullness in your ear.
• You hear ringing or buzzing in your ear. 

If you’re an older adult, be extra careful. Your risk of medication-related hearing problems may be even higher. That’s because your kidneys may not be working as well as they used to, says Dr. Spector. One of the big jobs of your kidneys is to filter all the medicines you take and flush them from your body.⁶ If that doesn’t happen, the medications can build up. That may cause problems.

That’s why it makes sense to learn as much as you can about the side effects of the medications you take. And then report any that you notice to your doctor.

Of course, there are hundreds of medications that could cause problems. Below are 5 of the most common ones.

1. Over-the-counter pain relievers

You can buy them at the supermarket or drugstore. In any given week, one 1 in 5 Americans uses at least one over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication.⁷ These include:

• Aspirin
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories) such as ibuprofen
• Acetaminophen

These medications can be safe and effective if taken as directed. But taking very high or frequent doses may cause short-term hearing damage, such as ringing in the ears or hearing loss.^{5, 7}

Be sure to tell your PCP about any OTC pain relievers you take. And always call if you notice your hearing is off.

2. Some strong antibiotics

If you’re sick with a serious infection, you may be given antibiotics known as aminoglycosides.² These are drugs that often end in “mycin,” such as streptomycin or neomycin. These drugs are given in a hospital to treat severe infections, such as meningitis or pneumonia, says Dr. Spector. Hearing loss is often a side effect.⁴

Someone would only get these drugs if they were very sick with a life-threatening infection, says Dr. Spector. The care team monitors patients carefully while they’re in the hospital. They’ll check hearing before starting the meds and while the person is on them.

3. Loop diuretics

These medications are commonly used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure and other chronic diseases.⁸ They work by helping your kidneys move extra salt and fluid from your body. They help millions of people keep common (but serious) conditions under control.

But there’s a catch: In some people, they may also cause short-term hearing issues.⁵

Pay attention to your signs and symptoms, advises Dr. Spector. If you’re having hearing problems on a loop diuretic, call your provider right away.

4. Antimalarial medications

These drugs, such as quinine and hydroxychloroquine, help fight malaria in hot and humid areas of the world, such as Africa and Central America.⁹ Not planning a trip there? You might need antimalarials anyway. They’re sometimes used to treat autoimmune illnesses, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Antimalarial drugs may cause hearing loss. Usually, though, the hearing loss is temporary.¹⁰ But speak up right away if you notice any hearing problems. Your provider might be able to prescribe a different medication. They may also refer you to a hearing care professional, who can test and monitor your hearing.

5. Some cancer drugs

Chemotherapy is a treatment for cancer. It’s when strong drugs are used to kill the cancer cells. Certain chemotherapy drugs can damage the inner ear. These include cisplatin and carboplatin.⁴

Before someone starts treatment, the cancer provider will check their hearing. They’ll also monitor the kidneys, to make sure the patient is filtering the drugs.

Bottom line

Your PCP should be your first call if you are on any of these drugs and you notice hearing problems. They will monitor your medication and help you manage symptoms.⁴

Hearing aids may also help. Your PCP can refer you to a hearing care professional for a comprehensive hearing exam and consultation.

Ready to request a hearing exam and consultation? UnitedHealthcare Hearing has a wide network of hearing care professionals. Find a provider.

Sources

1. Quick statistics on hearing, balance, and dizziness National Institute on Deafness and Other Hearing Disorders. Last updated March 4, 2024.
2. Ototoxicity American Academy of Audiology. Accessed July 15, 2024.
3. Drug-induced hearing loss: listening to the latest advances Therapies. March-April 2024.
4. Ototoxicity Cleveland Clinic. Last reviewed February 22, 2023.
5. Hearing loss Mayo Clinic. Last updated March 30, 2023.
6. Five drugs you may need to avoid or adjust if you have kidney disease National Kidney Foundation. Accessed July 15, 2024.
7. Longitudinal study of analgesic use and risk of incident persistent tinnitus Journal of General Internal Medicine. February 7, 2022.
8. Diuretics Cleveland Clinic. Last reviewed October 1, 2021.
9. Malaria Cleveland Clinic. Last updated May 18, 2022.
10. Ototoxic medications American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Accessed July 15, 2024.

Information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed medical provider. Consult your provider prior to making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine.

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