Chronic ear infections can sometimes lead to permanent hearing loss. Many treatments of generations past are what have resulted in today’s seniors with scarring and hearing impairments from childhood ailments and resulting remedies. Until recently, doctors aggressively treated ear infections with antibiotics, hoping to lessen the impact of repeat infections or resulting hearing loss. But no longer.

Today, doctors are cautious about giving antibiotics. Often, a doctor will try and first determine whether an infection is viral or bacterial before deciding a course of treatment, as antibiotics are ineffective against most viral infections. But, according to a recent study, bacterial infections should only be cautiously treated with antibiotics as wellóat least in children. A study involving 168 children with ear infections randomly provided patients with either antibiotics or a placebo as treatment. Three years later, researchers asked parents how many more ear infections the children had suffered. If children had taken antibiotics, there was 63 percent chance they’d had at least one subsequent infection vs. 43 percent of children who had been given a placebo.

Why? Researchers theorize that antibiotics might kill off some of the weaker bacteria that cause the infection, leaving more space for tougher and antibiotic-resistant bacteria to grow. Another possibility is that killing bacteria means less work for a childís immune system, leading to a weaker protection from infections in the future.

The study doesn’t ask parents to not seek treatment for ear infections or for doctors to not provide antibiotics when warranted. However, since most ear infections go away without treatment, consideration should be given whether treating ear infections with over-the-counter painkillers, such as acetaminophen, is a preferred option for children over age 2. For children under age 2 or for ones with more serious infections, antibiotics are typically still recommended.

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Many times the ototoxic hearing loss is temporary, and full hearing is later restored. Hearing loss can also be reversed or stopped when the drug is no longer taken. Other times, however, the hearing loss is permanent. The degree of hearing loss that occurs may depend on the amount and duration of the particular medication. The risk of hearing loss may increase if you are being prescribed with more than one ototoxic medication.

In certain cases, the drugs prescribed are considered life-saving, and the hearing loss is an unfortunate side affect of being able to live. In addition, some over-the-counter drugs can have hearing loss as a side effect. You want to be absolutely certain of what you are taking, including benefits as well as possible side effects, before agreeing to any medication. Your doctor can discuss pros and cons with you so you can make the most informed decision possible. Some examples of ototoxic drugs can include certain chemotherapy drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and diuretics.

If you have an existing sensorineural hearing loss, regardless of the cause of the condition, you are more vulnerable to aggravation of ototoxic hearing loss when using ototoxic medications.   

Recommended guidelines for being aware of a potentially preventing ototoxicity include:

• Informing your doctor if you have a sensorineural hearing loss or nerve-type hearing loss every time any new medication is prescribed
• Always ask your doctor and pharmacist about any possible side effects with any medication you are prescribed before taking
• Be aware of early signs of ototoxicity, which can include tinnitus (ringing or sounds in one or both ears); increased pressure in the ears; the development of vertigo (becoming dizzy or having a spinning sensation).
• If you exhibit any new symptoms of potential hearing loss, contact your doctor immediately for a comprehensive evaluation as to whether the medicine being prescribed is the right answer for you.

Awareness and action are steps to helping to preserve your hearing. Also consider PROHIERAN, the all natural hearing wellness supplement.

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