Infections are a part of life, and while some minor infections can go away on their own with time, others need medical intervention.

Antibiotics are commonly used to cure infections, but some of these medications may have a side effect of impacting hearing. This can happen due to a number of reasons, ranging from the medication affecting the structures of the ear to causing tinnitus. In this article, we will explore the medicines that cure infections but may impact hearing.

1. Aminoglycoside antibiotics

Aminoglycosides are a class of antibiotic medications that are effective against a wide range of bacterial infections. They work by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, preventing them from spreading or further damaging the body.

However, aminoglycosides are known to have ototoxic properties, which means they can damage the structures of the ear and impact hearing. Some commonly used aminoglycoside antibiotics include gentamicin, amikacin, and tobramycin.

2. Quinine and chloroquine

Quinine and chloroquine are medications that are used to treat malaria. They work by killing the parasites that cause the infection. However, they are also known to cause hearing loss and tinnitus.

This side effect is thought to be due to the drugs’ effect on the nervous system.

3. Macrolide antibiotics

Macrolides are a class of antibiotic medications that are often used to treat respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia. These drugs work by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, but they can also cause hearing loss and tinnitus as a side effect.

Some commonly used macrolide antibiotics include erythromycin, azithromycin, and clarithromycin.

4. Vancomycin

Vancomycin is an antibiotic that is used to treat serious infections caused by gram-positive bacteria. It works by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, but it can also cause damage to the inner ear and lead to hearing loss and tinnitus.

This side effect is thought to be due to the drug’s high concentrations in the blood and its potential toxicity to the ear.

5. Loop diuretics

Loop diuretics are medications that are used to treat conditions such as edema, hypertension, and heart failure. They work by increasing the amount of urine produced by the body, which helps to reduce swelling and blood pressure.

However, these drugs can also cause hearing loss and tinnitus as a side effect. Some commonly used loop diuretics include furosemide and torsemide.

6. Cisplatin

Cisplatin is a chemotherapy drug that is used to treat various types of cancer, including lung, bladder, and ovarian cancer.

While it can be effective in killing cancer cells, it can also cause damage to the inner ear and lead to hearing loss and tinnitus. This side effect is thought to be due to the drug’s toxic effects on the hair cells in the ear.

7. Salicylates

Salicylates are a class of medications that are commonly used to relieve pain and reduce fever. They include aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

While salicylates are generally considered safe, they can cause hearing loss and tinnitus when taken in high doses or over a long period of time.

8. Streptomycin

Streptomycin is an antibiotic that is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including tuberculosis (TB) and urinary tract infections. Like other aminoglycoside antibiotics, it can cause hearing loss and tinnitus as a side effect.

This side effect is thought to be due to the drug’s toxicity to the hair cells in the ear.

9. Aspirin

While aspirin is generally safe and widely used as a pain reliever and fever reducer, it can cause hearing loss and tinnitus when taken in high doses or over a long period of time.

This side effect is thought to be due to the drug’s effect on the hair cells in the inner ear.

10. Chemotherapy drugs

Several chemotherapy drugs can cause hearing loss and tinnitus as a side effect. These include carboplatin, iphosphamide, and vincristine. Unfortunately, hearing loss caused by chemotherapy drugs may be permanent in some cases.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while antibiotics and other medications can cure infections, they can also have side effects such as hearing loss and tinnitus.

Patients should always discuss the potential risks and benefits of any medication with their health care provider before taking it. Careful monitoring of hearing is also important when taking medications that have been associated with hearing loss.