by Neil Bauman, Ph.D.© January, 2022 A lady explained, I have a copy of your book Ototoxic Drugs Exposed, and have used it for reference many times. She then asked a very interesting question, I’ve become a cochlear implant recipient and will go bilateral–hopefully this year. Do CI recipients need to worry anymore about potentially […]

by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. © November, 2018 A man read my article, “The Ototoxicity of Drugs Ending in-mycin”. In it, I said that all of the drugs listed there (which included Clindamycin) are ototoxic to some extent or other. He then referred me to Dr. Tim Hain’s article “Ototoxic Medications” where Dr. Hain had written, […]

  by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. © August, 2018   Numbers of people have asked me how I got into doing what I do now—helping people deal with their hearing losses and other ear-related conditions. They have wondered whether it was because I lost my hearing due to taking ototoxic drugs, and if that was why […]

Neil Bauman, Ph.D. June, 2018 (revised October, 2024) People have asked me which are the least ototoxic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. For example one man asked: If you have a product that offers advice on the “best of the bad choices” for NSAIDs, I would be glad to purchase it. I really need advice in this […]

Neil Bauman, Ph.D. January, 2018 (revised October, 2024) People often ask me which are the least ototoxic beta blockers (or other classes of anti-hypertensive drugs) to take for high blood pressure (hypertension). For example one man asked: I have some questions about the ototoxicity of medications for high blood pressure. My primary care physician and […]

  by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. © Sep 2016; revised May, 2019   The beta blocker drug Propranolol (Inderal) can mess up your correct perception of pitch. One musician explained, I am a musician and have occasionally taken Propranolol to deal with particularly stressful concerts. I gave up taking it as I found that the frequency […]

by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. February 19, 2016 A man explained, I have profound sensorineural hearing loss and don’t want to lose any more hearing because that could change my life! I have been diagnosed with prostatitis (prostate infection) and I showed my doctor your book. We decided against Tetracycline (class 3) in favor of Bactrim, […]

  by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. December 29, 2015   A number of people believe that drugs ending in “–mycin” (and “-micin”) are all members of the extremely ototoxic Aminoglycoside class of antibiotic drugs and should be avoided so they don’t damage their ears. This is not totally true. It is true that about half of […]

How serious are the side effects of ototoxic drugs? What can I do to help preserve my hearing?

This article is an introduction to ototoxic drugs and how they turn lives upside down. It includes a list of a few of the hundreds of ototoxic drugs commonly used. Furthermore, it explains the side effects of such drugs, the risk factors associated with them, and the steps you can take to reduce this risk.

  by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. © June, 2015; Revised Sep, 2019   A lady wrote, I am profoundly deaf from contracting meningitis in 2010. I have severe tinnitus and have recently been diagnosed with acid reflux. I have been prescribed Prilosec and Protonix which makes the tinniutus much worse. Can you recommend another drug that […]

by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. In order to avoid (as much as is possible) the ototoxic (ear damaging) side effects from taking drugs, for years I have suggested that you: Take the least ototoxic drug that will do the job Take the lowest effective dose Take it for the shortest time possible By doing this you […]

  by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. A man wrote, Is the ototoxicity of Wellbutrin based on anything other than anecdotal reports from readers? My audiologist insists it’s not ototoxic (although rather ironically he said, “I’ve seen thousands of patients on Wellbutrin over the years” as if that’s reassuring!) As far as I know, there are no […]

by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. A lady wrote, I have your book, “Ototoxic Drugs Exposed” and know you address many herbal remedies. Is there a book that addresses all herbal remedies that can be used in place of prescription medication and ailments that you recommend? I like to stay away from medications if I can. There […]

  by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. © February 26, 2015   The Benzodiazepine class of drugs have a number of ototoxic side effects. Those of you that are concerned about your ears and want to minimize the risk of having hearing loss, tinnitus or balance problems from taking any drugs in this class need to do […]

by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. As many of you know, I am not a fan of taking prescription drugs, especially when there are safer alternatives, and almost always, there are safer alternatives. These safer alternatives will not only save your ears from the ototoxic side effects of the drugs, but they can also save your life. […]

by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. A man wrote, How about publishing a list of drugs that are safe to use?” [This was in relation to my article on drugs that are associated with tinnitus “New List of Drugs, Herbs and Chemicals Associated with Tinnitus Released.] You are not the only person to ask me this. It […]

  by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. Revised September 5, 2016 Some drugs can cause “funny” hearing problems. One such drug is Carbamazepine, sometimes sold under the brand name of Tegretol. Doctors frequently prescribe the anti-convulsant drug, Carbamazepine, to treat people who have epilepsy, neuralgia (nerve pain) or psychiatric disorders. Carbamazepine is ototoxic and can result in […]

by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. A man wrote, I saw your list of ototoxic drugs on the American Tinnitus Association website. Since I take 8 mg of Atacand daily and have moderate to severe tinnitus I was wondering if there is a non-ototoxic medication comparable to Atacand. The medication works well to control my blood pressure, […]

by Neil Bauman, Ph.D. A man wrote, I have heard that a toxic load of certain minerals such as manganese can cause ear problems including tinnitus. This is interesting as manganese is also used for treating tinnitus. My multivitamin contains 2 mg of manganese. Is it time to look for another vitamin supplement? There seems […]