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 […]
Ototoxic Drugs
Determining the Best Choice of Drugs and Dosage Options for a Given Medical Problem
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, […]
The Ototoxicity of Drugs Ending in“-mycin” (and “–micin”)
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 […]
Ototoxicity—The Hidden Menace. Part I: Lives in Upheaval
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.
Acid Reflux (GERD) Drugs Cause Tinnitus—Here’s the Solution
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 […]
Mildly-Ototoxic Cephalosporin Antibiotics Can Cause Diabetes
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 […]