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30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
Frequency (Hz)
Mild high-frequency loss
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
Frequency (Hz)
Moderate-to-profound bilateral loss
Severe Loss Left, Ear Moderate Loss Right Ear
125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000
-10
10
20
30
Intensity (dB HL)
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
Frequency (Hz)
Women
Moral: We all have a long, slow slide ahead of us. Don’t squander the
hearing you have by needlessly exposing yourself to long periods of loud
sound. Wear ear plugs or muffs when mowing the grass, snow-blowing,
etc., and use some sense in listening to music. Once hair cells are
damaged, they’re gone for good.
One last point: Presbycusis is listed here under the SN category since it is
clear that this is the dominant component. However:
(1) The SN component may not be due exclusively to hair cell loss.
Changes in the elasticity of the basilar membrane and metabolic
changes in the stria vascularis may also play a role (Davis, H. and Silverman,
S., 1978, Hearing and Deafness, New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston ).
Note:
(1) Dip or “notch” at ~3-6 kHz
(2) Typical progression shows the notch broadening (especially on the
high frequency side) and deepening
(3) High frequencies more affected than lows
c. Ototoxic Drugs
Certain drugs can cause SN HL. Toxicity effects vary
from mild and temporary to severe and permanent.
Some very common drugs such as aspirin (especially
in large doses) can cause hearing loss (and/or
tinnitus), but not in most people, and the loss is
typically mild and temporary.
An especially important group of antibiotics are
notoriously ototoxic. Examples include neomycin,
streptomycin, kanamycin.
Since this is well known, why might these drugs ever be
administered? (Answer: They’re used when death is the likely alternative.)
ANTIBIOTICS WITH GOOD EVIDENCE FOR OTOTOXICITY
Netilmicin 2.4%
Etiomycin moderate
Table from: http://www.tchain.com/otoneurology/disorders/bilat/ototoxins.html See other classes of ototoxic drugs on the same web site.
For your reference. The list below is from: www.lhh.org/hrq/22-2/ototoxic.htm
A. Salicylates
1. aspirin and aspirin-containing products
2. salicylates & methyl-salicylates (linaments)
B. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS)
1. diclofenac (Voltaren)
2. etocolac (Lodine)
3. fenprofen (Nalfon)
4. ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, etc.)
5. indomethacin (Indocin)
6. naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Alleve)
7. piroxicam (Feldene)
8. sulindac (Clinoril)
(Toxic effects are dose related and are almost always reversible once medications are discontinued).
C. Antibiotics
1. aminoglycosides
a. amikacin (Amakin)
b. gentamycin (Garamycin)
c. kanamycin (Kantrex)
d. neomycin (Found in many over-the-counter antibiotic ointments)
e. netilmicin (Netromycin)
f. streptomycin
g. 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 (ear drum) 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).
2. erythromycin
a. EES
b. E-mycin
c. Ilosone
d. Eryc
e. Pediazole
f. Biaxin
g. Zithromax
(Usually ototoxic when given in intravenous doses of 2-4 grams per 24 hours, especially if there is underlying kidney failure).
3. vancomycin (Vancocin) (Similar to aminoglycosides in that it may be ototoxic when used intravenously in life- threatening
infections. To further exaggerate the problem is the fact that aminoglycosides and vancomycin are often used together
intravenously when treating life-threatening infections).
4. minocycline (Minocin) (Similar to erythromycin).
5. polymixin B & amphotericin B (Antifungal preparations).
6. capreomycin (Capestat) (Anti-tuberculosis medication).
D. Diuretics
1. bendroflumethazide (Corzide)
2. bumetadine (Bumex)
3. chlor-thalidone (Tenoretic)
4. ethacrynic acid (Edecrin)
5. furosemide (Lasix)
(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).
E. Chemotherapeutic Agents
1. bleomycine (Blenoxane)
2. bromocriptine (Parlodel)
3. carboplatinum (Carboplatin)
4. cisplatin (Platinol)
5. methotrexate (Rheumatrex)
6. nitrogen mustard (Mustargen)
7. vinblastin (Velban)
8. vincristine (Oncovin)
(The ototoxic effects can be minimized by carefully monitoring blood levels).
F. Quinine
1. chloroquine phosphate (Aralen)
2. quinacrine hydrochloride (Atabrine)
3. quinine sulfate (Quinam)
(The ototoxic effects are very similar to those of aspirin).
G. Mucosal Protectant
1. misoprostol (Cytotec)
d. Meniere’s Disease
Serious, often debilitating disease of hearing
and balance of uncertain cause.
MD affects a single ear in about 75% of cases.
Four major symptoms:
(1)Periodic episodes of rotary vertigo (the
sensation of spinning) or dizziness (the
“Meniere’s attack”)
(2)Fluctuating, progressive, low-frequency
hearing loss
(3) Roaring or ringing tinnitus
(4) A sensation of "fullness" or pressure in the
ear
(1) Rotary Vertigo
This is often the most disruptive and debilitat-
ing symptom of Meniere’s. Similar to the mild
vertigo you get from too many beers, or that
you may remember as a kid from spinning
around on a playground. Some major
differences:
Dramatically more severe
Often accompanied by nausea, vomiting,
sweating
Onset is usually sudden
Typically persists for hours or even days
Patient has little or no ability to control it
Condition often leaves the patient confined to
a bed and as stationary as possible for long
periods of time, until the symptoms subside.
Even small head movements can greatly
exacerbate the symptoms.
(2) SN Hearing Loss
Fluctuating
Initially affects low-frequencies more than
highs, but may spread to highs as the
disease progresses
Progressive (i.e., gets worse with time)
Hearing may be completely lost in the
affected ear
Usually unilateral
Sounds may appear “tinny” (due to low-freq
loss) and distorted
Loudness intolerance is common (abnormal sensitivity to intense
Loudness intolerance is common (abnormal
sensitivity to intense sounds)
(3) Tinnitus
Ringing, roaring, or buzzing sensation
Fluctuates in intensity but does not abate
Pretty annoying
(4) Sensation of “fullness”
Like the weird sensation you get on an
airplane or elevator before your ears pop –
except it can’t be cleared. (Cause of fullness
sensation is unrelated to M.E. function)
Cause of Meniere’s
The proximate (i.e., immediate) cause of MD
is thought by some to be excessive and
fluctuating pressure in the endolymphatic
fluid that courses through the membranous
labyrinth of the cochlea and vestibular
systems. This causes the membranous
labyrinth to balloon or dilate.
Condition is known as endolymphatic
hydrops.
Result is progressive damage to the hair
cells responsible for both hearing and
balance.
Underlying cause of the fluid imbalance (if
that actually is what’s going on) is not
known. Likely suspects – viral infection or
autoimmune disorder affecting production
or absorption of endolymph (duh).
Normal Ear Ear w/ Endolymphatic
Hydrops
A rubella vaccine was not available when the last rubella epidemic
occurred in 1964. A large proportion of the current population of
congenitally deaf adults lost their hearing as a result of this
epidemic. These folks are now in their mid-40s.
The incidence of congenital deafness has been greatly reduced in
recent years since maternal rubella has come under better control.
Syndromes:
Inherited hearing loss can also be associated with a complex of
inter-related symptoms in the form of a syndrome. A few examples
include:
Waardenburg Syndrome
Treacher-Collins Syndrome
Klippel-Feil Syndrome
Treacher-Collins
Syndrome
Waardenburg
Syndrome