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reNew Hearing
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Tinnitus | Ringing Ears

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the medical term for the sensation of hearing sound in your ears when no external sound is present. Tinnitus affects 50 million Americans (nearly one in six of us). Most sufferers describe the sound as "ringing in ears," though others describe it as hissing, buzzing, whistling, roaring, and even chirping. 


For some, tinnitus is mild and an intermittent annoyance. For others, it's severe and can have a profound effect on their quality of life. But for everyone, finding tinnitus relief is a high priority.


CAUTION: Over 50 products on the market claiming tinnitus relief. Currently, there is no known tinnitus cure.

(*See below "Is there a cure for tinnitus?"


Did you know?

reNew Hearing 90% people with tinnitus have hearing loss
reNew Hearing 1 in 10 have had tinnitus
reNew Hearing tinnitus leading service-related disability

What causes tinnitus?

What should you do if you have tinnitus?

*Is there a cure for tinnitus?

Scientists and health experts don't know the exact physical cause of tinnitus, but several sources are known to trigger or make it worse, including:


  • Loud noises and hearing loss – Exposure to loud noises can destroy the non-regenerative cilia (tiny hairs) in the cochlea, causing permanent tinnitus and/or hearing loss.
  • Aging – As you age, th

Scientists and health experts don't know the exact physical cause of tinnitus, but several sources are known to trigger or make it worse, including:


  • Loud noises and hearing loss – Exposure to loud noises can destroy the non-regenerative cilia (tiny hairs) in the cochlea, causing permanent tinnitus and/or hearing loss.
  • Aging – As you age, those same cilia gradually deteriorate, which can lead to tinnitus and/or hearing loss.
  • Ototoxic medications (See below)– Some prescription medications such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and antidepressants are harmful to the inner ear as well as the nerve fibers connecting the cochlea to the brain.
  • Hearing conditions – Conditions such as otosclerosis and Ménière’s disease are known to cause tinnitus.
  • Health conditions – Tinnitus can also be a symptom of health conditions like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stress, and head injuries.


*Is there a cure for tinnitus?

What should you do if you have tinnitus?

*Is there a cure for tinnitus?

Currently, there is no known tinnitus cure. But according to the American Tinnitus Association, there are recommended ways to get tinnitus relief, including counseling and sound therapy.


Proven tinnitus products are an effective part of any sound therapy as they utilize a customizable and comforting sound stimulus that soothes the annoying

Currently, there is no known tinnitus cure. But according to the American Tinnitus Association, there are recommended ways to get tinnitus relief, including counseling and sound therapy.


Proven tinnitus products are an effective part of any sound therapy as they utilize a customizable and comforting sound stimulus that soothes the annoying noises associated with tinnitus and takes your mind off it.

What should you do if you have tinnitus?

What should you do if you have tinnitus?

What should you do if you have tinnitus?

Since the exact cause of tinnitus is not known, it’s recommended you visit a hearing healthcare professional for a clinical evaluation. Specialized tests are performed to diagnose tinnitus and different options can be discussed to find what is right for you.


Source: WebMD

Source: National Institute on Deafness

Source: American Tinnitus Association

reNew Hearing Drugs that can cause hearing loss

Drugs that can cause Ototoxic Medicationshearing loss and tinnitus

Drugs that can cause hearing loss


Salicylates

  • aspirin and aspirin-containing products
  • salicylates and methyl salicylates (linaments)


(Toxic effects appear to be dose-related and are almost always reversible once medications are discontinued.)

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS)

(Most NSAIDS have the potential for causing hearing loss and/or tinnitus. Because new drugs are being frequently approved for use, it is important that you check with your doctor or pharmacist to determine if the drug you were prescribed can cause a problem.)


  • Diclofenac (Voltaren)
  • Etocolac (Lodine)
  • Fenprofen (Nalfon)
  • Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, Etc.)
  • Indomethacin (Indocin)
  • Naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve)
  • Piroxicam (Feldene)
  • Sulindac (Clinoril)


(Toxic effects are dose-related and are almost always reversible once medications are discontinued.)

Antibiotics

  • Aminoglycosides
  • Amikacin (Amakin)
  • Gentamycin (Garamycin)
  • Kanamycin (Kantrex)
  • Neomycin (Found in Many Over-the-counter Antibiotic Ointments.)
  • Netilmicin (Netromycin)
  • Streptomycin
  • Tobramycin (Nebcin)


(Of particular interest is that topical ear drop medications containing gentamycin or neomycin do not appear to be ototoxic in humans unless the tympanic membrane (eardrum) is perforated. When a solution of an aminoglycoside antibiotic is used on the skin together with an aminoglycoside antibiotic used intravenously, there is a risk of an increase of the ototoxic effect, especially if the solution is used on a wound that is open or raw, or if the patient has underlying kidney damage. Neomycin is the drug that is most toxic to the structure involved in hearing, the cochlea, so it is recommended for topical use only. But even topical therapy has resulted in hearing loss when large areas were treated which allowed for large amounts of the drug to be absorbed into the body. Hearing loss caused by this class of antibiotics is usually permanent.)


  • Erythromycin
    • (EES)
    • (E-mycin)
    • (Ilosone)
    • (Eryc)
    • (Pediazole)
    • (Biaxin)
    • (Zithromax)


                  (Usually ototoxic when given in intravenous doses of 2-4 grams per 24 hours, especially if there is underlying kidney failure.)

  • Vancomycin (Vancocin)


                  (Similar to aminoglycosides in that it may be ototoxic when used intravenously in life-threatening infections. The fact that aminoglycosides         and vancomycin are often used together intravenously when treating life-threatening infections further exaggerates the problem.)


  • minocycline (Minocin) (Similar to erythromycin)
  • Polymixin B & Amphotericin B (Antifungal Preparations)
  • Capreomycin (Capestat)
  • (Anti-tuberculosis Medication)

Drugs that can cause tinnitus

Vapors, Solvents


  • Cyclohexane
  • Dichloromethane
  • Hexane (Gasoline)
  • Lindane (Kwell)
  • Methyl-chloride
  • Methyl-n-butyl-ketone
  • Perchlor-ethylene
  • Styrene
  • Tetrachlor-ethane
  • Toluol
  • Trichloroethylene

Antibiotics


  • Aminoglycosides (See the Previous Section)
  • Amphotericin B
  • Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
  • Minocycline (Minocin)
  • Polymyxine B
  • Sulfonamides (Septra, Bactrim)
  • Vancomycin (Vancocin)

Antineoplastics


  • Bleomycin (Blenoxane)
  • Cis-platinum (Platinol)
  • Carboplatinum (Paraplatin)
  • Methotrexate (Rheumatrex)
  • Nitrogen Mustard (Mustagen)
  • Vinblastin (Velban)

Diuretics


  • Acetazolamide (Diamox)
  • Bumetanide (Bumex)
  • Bendrofluazide
  • Clorothalidone (Hygroton, Tenoretic)
  • Diapamide
  • Ethacrynic Acid (Edecrin)
  • Furosemide (Lasix)
  • Hydrochlorthiazide (Hydrodiuril)
  • Methylchlorthizide (Enduron)

(These are usually ototoxic when given intravenously for acute kidney failure, acute hypertensive crisis, or acute pulmonary edema/congestive heart failure. Rare cases of ototoxicity have been found when these medications are taken orally in high doses by people with chronic kidney disease.)

Cardiac Medications


  • Celiprolol
  • Flecainide (Tambocar)
  • Lidocaine
  • Metoprolol (Lopressor)
  • Procainamide (Pronestyl)

Chemotherapeutic Agents


  • Bleomycine (Blenoxane)
  • Bromocriptine (Parlodel)
  • Carboplatinum (Carboplatin)
  • Cisplatin (Platinol)
  • Methotrexate (Rheumatrex)
  • Nitrogen Mustard (Mustargen)
  • Vinblastin (Velban)
  • Vincristine (Oncovin)


(The ototoxic effects can be minimized by carefully monitoring blood levels.)

Quinine

  • Chloroquine Phosphate (Aralen)
  • Quinacrine Hydrochloride (Atabrine)
  • Quinine Sulfate (Quinam)


(The ototoxic effects are very similar to those of aspirin.)

Mucosal Protectant

  • Misoprostol (Cytotec)


Narcotic Analgesics

  • Hydrocodone (Lorcet, Vicodin)

Psychopharmacologic Agents


  • Amitryptiline (Elavil)
  • Benzodiazepine Class
  • Alprazolam (Xanax)
  • Clorazepate (Tranxene)
  • Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
  • Diazepam (Valium)
  • Flurazepam (Dalmane)
  • Lorazepam (Ativan)
  • Midazolam (Versed)
  • Oxazepam (Serax)
  • Prozepam (Centrax)
  • Quazepam (Doral)
  • Temazepam (Restoril)
  • Triazolam (Halcion)
  • Bupropion (Welbutrin)
  • Carbamzepine (Tegretol)
  • Diclofensine
  • Doxepin (Sinequin)
  • Desiprimine (Norpramin)
  • Fluoxetin (Prozac)
  • Imipramine (Tofranil)
  • Lithium
  • Melitracen
  • Molindon (Moban)
  • Paroxetin
  • Phenelzin (Nardil)
  • Protriptilin (Vivactil)
  • Trazodon (Desyrel)
  • Zimeldin

Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS)


(Please see notation for NSAIDS under “hearing loss.”)


  • Asprin
  • Acematacine
  • Benorilate
  • Benoxaprofen
  • Carprofen
  • Diclofenac (Voltaren)
  • Diflunisal (Dolobid)
  • Fenoprofen (Nalfon)
  • Feprazon
  • Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin)
  • Indomethacin (Indocin)
  • Isoxicam
  • Ketoprofen (Orudis)
  • Methyl Salicylates (Bengay)
  • Naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve)
  • D-penicilliamin
  • Phenylbutazone (Butazolidine)
  • Piroxicam (Feldene)
  • Proglumetacin
  • Proquazon
  • Rofecoxib (Vioxx)
  • Salicylates
  • Sulindac (Clinoril)
  • Tolmetin (Tolectin)
  • Zomepirac

Glucocorticosteroids

  • Prednisolone (Prednisone)
  • Acth (Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone) (Acthar)


Anesthetics

  • Bupivacain
  • Tetracain
  • Lidocaine (Novacaine)

Antimalarials

  • Chloroquine (Aralen)
  • Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquinil)


Others

  • Thalidomide (Thalomid)

Miscellaneous Toxic Substances


  • Alcohol
  • Arsenum
  • Caffeine
  • Lead
  • Marijuana
  • Nicotine
  • Mercury
  • Auronofin (Gold, Ridaura)


(Ironically, several of these drugs found to cause tinnitus, are also used to treat tinnitus (e.g., amitryptiline, benzodiazepine class, carbamazapine, furosemide, lidocaine, prednisone)

Ototoxic Drugs Bibliography:

  • Ototoxic Medications: Drugs that can cause hearing loss and tinnitus, League for the Hard of Hearing
  • Claussen, C.F, (1996). Chemically induced or drug-induced tinnitus.
  • International Tinnitus Journal, 2, l-2.
  • Drug Facts & Comparisons. (1995) St. Louis, MO. J.B. Lippincott.
  • Epstein, S. (1996) What you should know about ototoxic medications.
  • Journal of Self Help for Hard of Hearing People, 16, 29-30.
  • PDR Drug Interactions and Side Effects. (50th ed.). (1996). Montvale, N.J. Medical Economics Co.
  • Physicians Desk Reference (50th ed.). (1996). Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Co.
  • Suss, E. When the Hearing Gets Hard. (pp. 167-216). New York, NY: Bantam Books.
  • USP dispensing Information. (1997). In Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. Vol. 1. Rockville, MD: The United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc.

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