Conditions and symptoms
What Is Ototoxicity? Medicines That Can Affect Hearing
Ototoxicity · say it: oh-toh-tok-SIS-ih-teeAlso written: ototoxic, ear toxicity, drug-induced hearing loss
Short answer
Ototoxicity is damage to the inner ear caused by a medicine or chemical, which can lead to hearing loss, ringing in the ears or balance problems.
What it means
Ototoxicity means harm to the inner ear, which controls hearing and balance, caused by a substance such as a medicine. It can cause hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears), a feeling of fullness in the ears, dizziness or unsteadiness. Some effects are temporary and some can be permanent, depending on the medicine and the person.
It appears on labels for certain antibiotics (such as aminoglycosides), some chemotherapy medicines, some strong water tablets (loop diuretics) given in high doses, and high doses of aspirin. Some of these labels carry boxed warnings and ask for hearing tests or blood level checks. The label is telling you to report any new hearing change, ringing or dizziness quickly so the treatment can be reviewed.
Ototoxicity is different from temporary blocked ears from a cold or ear wax. 'Oto' refers to the ear; nephrotoxicity (kidney) and neurotoxicity (nerves) are similar terms for other organs.
Where you may see it
- Boxed warnings on aminoglycoside antibiotic labels
- The 'Warnings' section of some chemotherapy and loop diuretic labels
- Audiology (hearing test) reports
📄 How it looks on a report
Aminoglycosides can cause ototoxicity, which may be irreversible. Monitor auditory and vestibular function.
🙅 What it does not mean
- It does not mean hearing loss is expected; it means it needs watching for.
- Mild ringing in the ears should still be reported, not ignored.
- It is not the same as blocked ears from wax or a cold.
🎯 Check yourself
Which of these is the right meaning of “Ototoxicity”?
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Ototoxicity”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Furosemide
A loop diuretic, a type of medicine that helps the body get rid of extra fluid through urine
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Ototoxicity” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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