Over the Counter (OTC) Painkillers May Lead to Hearing Loss

When a headache is making it hard to focus on work or relax or when joint pain just feels unmanageable, over the counter painkillers certainly feel like a lifesaver. In fact, they are essential to pain management after an injury or surgery. Over the counter (OTC) pain relievers can help relieve pain or lower a fever and can be obtained at grocery stores, drug stores and even discount stores without a prescription. The most common types of OTC pain medicines are household names include acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and Naproxen (Aleve). However next time you reach for your household painkiller you may want to think about the long-term effects on your health.

Million take these medications for an occasional headache or chronic joint pain, but recent studies have found that there can be serious effects of regular use—particularly for your hearing health. A recent study has found that certain OTC painkillers may be ototoxic, meaning they contribute to hearing loss.

Ototoxic Medications

Ototoxic medications are medicines which include side effects which may damage hearing. We collect sound with our ears but listening and hearing is completed in the brain where sounds are identified and speech is interpreted. Sounds are transferred from our ears to our brain via tiny hair-like cells called stereocilia. Stereocilia convert soundwaves into electrical impulses which the brain can interpret. The issue is that these hair-like cells are fragile and incredibly susceptible to damage when blood supply fluctuates. The most common reported ototoxic drugs in clinical use include aminoglycoside antibiotics, macrolide antibiotics, salicylates, chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin and loop diuretics. While these medications are important and often improve quality of life and save lives it’s important to take into account the risks, especially when they interfere with the delivery of oxygenated blood to the inner ears.

A Study on OTC Painkillers and Hearing

A recent study large study conducted in collaboration with the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Vanderbilt University, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, examined the effects of OTC painkillers and their effect on hearing ability to see if there were significant risks. Published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Specifically, they tracked 55,850 women aged 44 to 69 and asked about their painkiller use biannually and cross examined it with self-reported hearing loss. 2012. Based upon findings, and controlling for factors such as other health conditions, as well as dietary and lifestyle choices, researchers isolated that roughly 1 out of every 20 cases of women’s hearing loss, (5.5 percent), may be attributed to the use of paracetamol and ibuprofen, while aspirin show now direct risk to hearing.

Using Caution When Using OTC Painkillers 

Painkillers reduce inflammation and block pain receptors in the brain; however they carry some risks. In the case of hearing loss These OTC painkillers can damage the protective tissues which coat the ear canal and inner ear as well as reduce the amount of blood supply to the inner ear.  If you find yourself taking paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen two times a week or more, It’s a good idea to examine this habit and decide for yourself when you truly need it. In many cases drinking more water and getting plenty of rest can have similar and more supportive results for your total health.

The Importance of Hearing Health

Healthy hearing has long been underestimated in its importance. What starts as issues hearing everyday conversation can have serious effects for overall health including emotional, mental, cognitive, and physical aspects. You may find socializing every day more exhausting than before and find yourself opting out of social obligations. The result is self-isolation, decreased self-esteem, and chronic depression. On a physical level untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of falls and accidents, while on a cognitive level, breaks in sound perceptions contribute to higher rates of cognitive decline and even dementia later in life. 

If you are concerned about your hearing abilities, it’s a good idea to diagnose it earlier than later, when symptoms progress, sometimes to irreversible levels. We are here to help! Don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule your next hearing exam. Call today!