More than 200 known medications and chemicals are ototoxic, meaning they are poisonous to your ears causing damage to the inner ear. This damage is known as ototoxicity and leads to temporary or permanent hearing loss, balance disorders and/or ringing in the ears.
For those who suffer from life-threatening diseases such as cancer, taking ototoxic medications may be unavoidable. A new study, however, reveals that advancements are being made to prevent hearing loss caused by these medications. In fact, a team of researchers has screened more than 4,000 drugs in search of protection for cochlear cells from a chemotherapy agent known as cisplatin. Cisplatin causes permanent hearing loss in up to 70% of cancer patients treated with the drug. In their research, the team has found compounds that were already approved to treat other conditions, are also effective in protecting cochlear cells from cisplatin.
In addition to the discovery of these cisplatin-fighting compounds, researchers also concluded that these same compounds may also aid significantly in treating Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). NIHL effects nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults between the ages of 20 and 69. If you’ve taken ototoxic medications and/or have experienced hearing loss, contact New Generation Hearing Centers today for a free consultation.
