Can Some Medications Affect Your Hearing? What to Know About Ototoxic Drugs

Some medicines can affect hearing, cause ringing, or affect balance. Learn which types may carry a risk, what symptoms to watch for, and what to do.

02 de setembro de 2026 · 7 min ·por Welleness Guide

Your medications are meant to help you, but some can also affect the ears.

Certain medicines can damage the inner ear or affect the parts responsible for hearing and balance. These medications are sometimes described as ototoxic, meaning they can have a toxic effect on the ear. The effects can range from temporary ringing or hearing changes to problems that may last.

That does not mean you should stop taking a medication because you are worried about your hearing. Many medicines with potential effects on the ear are important treatments for serious conditions, and the actual risk varies depending on the medication, dose, length of treatment, and individual circumstances.

Knowing about this connection can help you recognize changes and discuss them with the right healthcare professional.

What does “ototoxic” mean?

Ototoxicity refers to damage or changes involving the structures of the inner ear caused by certain drugs or other substances.

The inner ear contains the cochlea, which is involved in hearing, as well as structures that help control balance. Because of this, an ototoxic medication can sometimes affect hearing, balance, or both.

Possible symptoms include:

Hearing that seems weaker or less clear
Ringing or buzzing in the ears
Difficulty understanding speech
Dizziness or a spinning sensation
Problems with balance
A feeling that sounds have changed

Not everyone taking an ototoxic medication will experience these effects.

Some medications can cause temporary changes, while others can cause permanent damage.

Which medications can affect hearing?

There are several groups of medications known to have the potential to affect the ears.

Certain antibiotics

Some antibiotics called aminoglycosides can damage the hearing and balance organs of the inner ear in some people.

Examples include gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin, and streptomycin. These medications are generally used for specific infections and are not the type of antibiotic people routinely take for an ordinary cold.

The risk can depend on factors such as the dose, length of treatment, kidney function, and whether other medications with similar effects are being used at the same time.

Some cancer treatments

Certain chemotherapy medications, particularly platinum-based drugs such as cisplatin and carboplatin, can affect hearing.

Cisplatin is particularly well documented as a cause of hearing damage.

Research supported by the National Cancer Institute and NIDCD has found that cisplatin can remain in the cochlea, the part of the inner ear responsible for hearing, long after treatment.

The effects can include tinnitus and hearing loss, and changes may sometimes become apparent during treatment or later. The National Cancer Institute notes that certain chemotherapy drugs can cause hearing problems months or even years after treatment.

This is one reason hearing monitoring can be part of care for people receiving potentially ototoxic cancer treatments.

Some diuretics

Certain diuretics, sometimes called water pills, can also affect hearing.

Examples include furosemide and ethacrynic acid. The risk can be particularly important with high doses given intravenously and in certain medical circumstances.

This is a good example of why the name of a medication alone does not tell you how likely it is to cause a problem. The dose, method of administration, other medications, and your overall health can all matter.

High doses of aspirin and some other medicines

High doses of salicylates, including aspirin, can cause ringing in the ears and hearing changes. These effects are often reversible when the medication is stopped, although you should not stop prescribed or medically necessary medication without discussing it with a healthcare professional.

Other medications have also been associated with hearing or balance problems, including some drugs used to treat serious infections and certain other medical conditions.

The list is more complicated than simply identifying a handful of “bad” medications. The potential risk depends on the particular drug and the circumstances in which it is used.

Does medication-related hearing loss always happen immediately?

No.

Some medication-related hearing changes can appear during treatment, while others may develop later.

The timing depends on the medication, dose, duration, and individual risk factors. Some people may notice ringing or changes in hearing relatively quickly, while other effects may not become obvious until after treatment.

This can make the connection difficult to recognize.

For example, if someone notices hearing changes several weeks after completing a treatment, they may not immediately think about a medication they took earlier.

That is one reason it is useful to keep a record of major changes in your medications when discussing new hearing symptoms with a healthcare professional.

Who may have a higher risk?

The risk is not the same for everyone.

Factors that can influence medication-related ear toxicity include:

The dose of the medication
How long the medication is used
Kidney function
Whether more than one potentially ototoxic medication is being used
Previous hearing problems
Individual genetic factors
The specific medication and how it is administered

For some medications, reduced kidney function can increase the amount of the drug that remains in the body, potentially increasing the risk of toxicity.

Your healthcare team can take these factors into account when deciding which treatment and monitoring approach is appropriate.

What should you do if your hearing changes while taking medication?

The first step is not to stop the medication on your own.

Instead, contact the healthcare professional who prescribed it and explain what you have noticed.

Useful details include:

When the hearing change started
Whether one or both ears are affected
Whether you have ringing or buzzing
Whether you feel dizzy or unsteady
When the medication was started
Whether the dose recently changed
What other medications or supplements you take

Your healthcare professional can then decide whether the medication could be contributing to the symptoms and whether your hearing should be evaluated.

Depending on the situation, an audiologist or an ear, nose and throat specialist may also be involved.

Why hearing tests can matter during certain treatments

When someone is receiving a medication known to potentially damage hearing, checking hearing before and during treatment can help identify changes.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association describes ototoxicity monitoring as a way to establish baseline hearing and then monitor auditory and balance function when exposure to potentially toxic agents is expected.

This can be particularly relevant for people receiving certain chemotherapy drugs or specific antibiotics.

Importantly, symptoms are not always a reliable early warning. A person may not immediately notice subtle changes in hearing, which is one reason formal monitoring can be useful when a treatment carries a known risk.

Can medication-related hearing damage be prevented?

Sometimes the risk can be reduced, but prevention depends on the medication and the medical condition being treated.

Healthcare professionals may adjust the dose, monitor medication levels, check kidney function, or monitor hearing during treatment when appropriate. In some situations, another medication may be considered if there is a suitable alternative.

However, there is no universal strategy that prevents ototoxicity from every medication.

And because many potentially ototoxic medications are used to treat serious infections or cancer, avoiding the medication altogether may not be appropriate.

The goal is to balance the benefits of necessary treatment with the potential risks and monitor for problems when appropriate.

When should hearing changes be checked urgently?

A sudden change in hearing should not be assumed to be a medication side effect and watched at home.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss can develop rapidly, sometimes over hours or a few days, and requires prompt medical evaluation. The NIDCD advises seeking medical attention as soon as possible because treatment may be more effective when started promptly.

Seek prompt medical attention if you experience a sudden noticeable drop in hearing, particularly if it affects one ear or occurs together with significant dizziness or other concerning symptoms.

The important takeaway

Some medications really can affect hearing, but the situation is more nuanced than simply labeling a medicine as harmful to the ears.

Risk depends on the medication, dose, duration, individual health factors, and other treatments. Some effects may be temporary, while others can be permanent.

If you are taking a medication known to carry an ototoxicity risk, follow your healthcare team's monitoring recommendations. And if you notice new ringing, hearing changes, dizziness, or balance problems, tell your healthcare professional rather than changing your medication on your own.

Your medications and your hearing are not separate parts of your health. In some situations, paying attention to both can help identify changes early and make treatment safer.