Audiological Monitoring of Patients Receiving Ototoxic Drugs

Over 200 medications commonly prescribed for the treatment of cancers and some infections can cause inner ear damage, or ototoxicity (ASHA, 2004). Ototoxicity can result in auditory and/or vestibular dysfunction, and the effects can be temporary, but are often permanent. Symptoms of ototoxicity include tinnitus, dizziness, and difficulty understanding speech in noise. Approximately 4 million patients annually in the United States are at risk for hearing loss from aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g. gentamicin) and platinum-based chemotherapy agents (e.g., cisplatin). Loop diuretics (e.g., furosemside) can also cause ototoxicity, particularly when administered concurrently with other ototoxic drugs (Brummett, 1980). Furthermore, noise exposure has a synergistic effect, increasing the risk of hearing loss during therapeutic treatment with ototoxic drugs (Brown, Brummett, Fox, & Bendrick, 1980).