Comments on: Are Desipramine and Bupropion (Wellbutrin) Causing Our Daughter’s Hearing Loss?

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:34:01 +0000

I started taking Wellbutrin about 5 years ago and about 3 and a half years ago I woke up with complete loss of hearing in one ear (the left). After numerous tests and going to an Ear Clinic in Los Angeles, was told that it was Sudden Sensonueral Hearing Loss and that was idiopathic (no explanation for the loss). It is irreversible and untreatable but I was told it almost never occurs in the other ear. I only just yesterday heard of the possible connection to Wellbutrin! I’m kind of freaking out now because almost 4 years later, I’m still taking the Wellbutrin and wonder if I should stop???

By: Jeanette

Jeanette — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:52:35 +0000

Ever since taking bupropion sr I have been experiencing humming in my left ear constantly all day long. The doctor said it’s meiners disease. Do you think the medication brought this on. They say I have to live with it and there is no cure.

By: Dr. Neil

Dr. Neil — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 01:49:06 +0000

Hi Candy:

Who says you came out of Meniere’s remission? Since the side effects of taking Wellbutrin can be similar to the symptoms of Meniere’s disease, how do you know that you don’t simply have ototoxic side effects and not another Meniere’s attack?

Both Wellbutrin and Meniere’s can cause hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness and vertigo. So you could have these symptoms in spite of your Meniere’s, rather than because of it.

Regards

Neil

By: Candy

Candy — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 17:02:00 +0000

Connie – I was in remission from Menieres Disesae and came out of remission 2 weeks after starting to take Wellbutrin (generic form). Now after severe attack am in the constant state of dizzies. Do you think after stopping the wellbutrin I will be in remission again?
Thanks!

By: Connie

Connie — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:50:28 +0000

I am an audiologist and a 12 year old was referred to me for hearing aids for a bilateral sensori-neural hearing loss. I noticed he was on Wellbutrin and discussed with the doctor, that not extremely common, wellbutrin can cause hearing loss in some people. The physician switched medications and three months later the young man’s hearing was within normal limits in both ears. I have had many patients on wellbutrin that did not have a loss, or going off the medication did not improve hearing, but because of this case, I always discuss the possibility with patients and their physicians.

By: Dr. Neil

Dr. Neil — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:51:47 +0000

Hi DP:

I haven’t heard of anyone getting their hearing back after stopping Bupropion (Wellbutrin). So I can’t help you there. From what I can gather, the hearing loss appears to be permanent, at least in some cases.

Regards

Neil

By: DP

DP — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 05:16:23 +0000

Has anyone experienced an improvement in hearing after getting off Wellbutrin or Bupropion?

By: Af

Af — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 07:47:53 +0000

I was on wellbutrin and after a few months, I woke up one day completely unable to hear in one ear. I also have some tinnuitis and vertigo. My hearing was perfect before. After many doctor visits, I’m told mine is irreversible as well as uncorrectable with hearing aids as the nerve itself is damaged. I wish I’d known of the danger before. I had absolutely no clue of any hearing difficulties until I woke up one morning with no hearing in my one ear. It was overnight & suddenly & devastating. I wish I’d had some clue there might have been some problems before I just woke up with it gone. Good luck. I hope they figure things out and there was more information available about these situations.

By: april

april — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:35:23 +0000

I have been on Wellbutrin for 2 years and all of a sudden I woke up with tinnitis and hearing loss in one ear. Now the other is experiencing hearing loss. The dr’s tell me this is something I have to live with and there is nothing that can be done except eventually hearing aids. If this is from the Wellbutrin can it be reversed?

By: virginia

virginia — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:45:54 +0000

Thank you! I have developed an abrupt onset of severe ataxia and tinnitis upon beginning Welbutrin-using generic- I am a Speech Pathologist specializ in neuro based disorders. The gait disturbance has been debilitating. Important FYI. Also re: tinnitis….no other contaminating variables. Feel free to write. I see questions @ Buproprion and h loss here. Buproprion alone caused tinnitis in me. Use-off lable for ANS problem. Thanks