Could One of Your Medications Be Damaging Your Hearing?

Could your medication be contributing to hearing loss or ringing in your ears? Before you assume it’s just aging, there’s a connection worth understanding—and it isn’t as simple as finding your prescription on a list. In this video, I’m Dr. Shaina Stapleton, a board-certified audiologist, explaining medication-related hearing loss, also called ototoxicity. Certain medications can affect hearing or balance, but the medication, dose, and your individual health all matter. We’ll explore: • Medications with well-established hearing risks, including cisplatin, aminoglycoside antibiotics, loop diuretics such as furosemide, and high-dose aspirin • Why some hearing changes are temporary while others can be permanent • How tinnitus, muffled hearing, and balance changes fit into the picture • Why a new prescription or dose change can be an important clue—but doesn’t prove the cause • Who may be at higher risk and when hearing monitoring may be appropriate • What to ask your physician if you’re concerned If conversations have become harder to follow or you’ve noticed new ringing in your ears, understanding the timeline can help your healthcare team investigate what’s happening. Do not stop or change a medication on your own. Talk with the physician who prescribed it about your symptoms, individual risks, and whether a hearing evaluation is appropriate. Subscribe to Hearing with Dr. Stapleton for clear, practical explanations of hearing loss, tinnitus, hearing aids, and hearing health. This video is for general education and does not replace personalized medical advice. #HearingLoss #Tinnitus #Ototoxicity