More than 200 drugs, including antibiotics, chemotherapy agents, and everyday painkillers, are considered capable of damaging the inner ear and affecting hearing or balance.
Health experts are raising concerns over the lesser-known risk of hearing loss and tinnitus caused by widely used medications.
More than 200 drugs, including antibiotics, chemotherapy agents, and everyday painkillers, are considered ototoxic—capable of damaging the inner ear and affecting hearing or balance.
“Ototoxicity” refers to damage affecting the cochlea or vestibular system, often resulting in tinnitus, dizziness, or a sensation of fullness in the ears. “These effects can be temporary or permanent,” experts warn, depending on dosage and individual susceptibility.
Among the most well-documented culprits are aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as gentamicin and streptomycin, used for serious infections.
Chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin can also cause permanent hearing loss in up to 60% of patients.
Painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen have been linked to tinnitus, especially when taken frequently at high doses.
Antimalarial drugs, including chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, may also cause reversible or lasting damage.
“Once the tiny hair cells in the cochlea are damaged, they don’t regenerate,” says NIH researcher Lisa Cunningham.
People with kidney issues, genetic vulnerabilities, or existing hearing loss are at greater risk.
Experts urge patients to consult their doctors if prescribed high-risk medications and to report any auditory symptoms immediately.