Is Hearing Loss Lurking in Your Medicine Cabinet?

Many people recognize the link between hearing loss and exposure to loud sounds. Noises we experience in daily life like booming music, the drone of a lawnmower or leaf blower, traffic, even your hair dryer can damage the delicate, microscopic hair-like cells located inside the cochlea of your inner ear. These hair cells are responsible for converting sounds entering your ear into electrical signals that are relayed to and interpreted by your brain.

But did you know that more than 200 common medications on the market today also can cause damage to your inner ear that can result in hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance issues? These drugs are considered ototoxic (oto means ear and toxic means poisonous). Many are over-the-counter medications you know and use, such as common pain relievers and anti-inflammatories. Others are drugs used to treat serious illnesses like heart disease, infections, parasites, and cancer.

Temporary or permanent ear issues?
Look inside your medicine cabinet. If you see aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen, those are on the ototoxic list, but usually only cause temporary hearing issues while you are taking them. The same is true with quinine used to treat malaria and loop diuretics taken by those with heart and kidney conditions.

Ototoxic medications known to cause permanent damage include certain drugs in the aminoglycoside class that are used to treat serious infections caused by bacteria that are difficult to treat with other medications or that multiply quickly.

Cancer chemotherapy drugs, such as platinum-based cisplatin and carboplatin, are highly ototoxic. This class of drugs is commonly used for the treatment of bladder, ovarian, testicular, and head and neck cancers. The drug’s ototoxicity has been known for many years, but a recent study led by researchers from the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), sought to explain why these drugs cause lasting hearing loss. Findings released in 2018 establish that cisplatin can be found in the ear’s cochlea months and even years after treatment has ended. This continued exposure puts the cochlea at considerable risk for damage as the drug resides there. By contrast, other body organs tend to eliminate the drug within days of being administered. The study also revealed that forty to eighty percent of adults and fifty percent of children experience significant permanent hearing loss that can continue to worsen over time after a cancer battle. This research is important because understanding how platinum-based chemotherapies affect hearing may lead to methods for blocking or lessening the long term effects on the ear.

A drug’s ototoxicity can depend on many factors like the dosage, duration of time you take it, whether you are taking other ototoxic medications, the amount of hearing damage you already had before starting it, family history, and more.

What can you do to reduce your risk?
Granted, the benefits of many ototoxic medications far outweigh the potential side effects and should not be a reason, in and of itself, to decline these drugs. Johnson Audiology encourages you to research the medications you are prescribed and to talk with your primary care physician, your medical specialists, and your pharmacist so that you can fully assess your risk and discuss ways to mitigate ototoxic effects. For instance, visiting your audiologist for a hearing test before beginning treatment for cancer, kidney disease, heart disease and many other health issues gives you a baseline for comparison later so that you can be proactive about treating your hearing loss at the first signs of loss. Being an informed, aware, and educated patient puts you in the best position for controlling and managing your own health and well-being.

Do you have questions or concerns about ototoxicity and hearing loss? Call today to schedule an appointment at Johnson Audiology or book online at www.johnsonaudiology.com/schedule .

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From Frustration to Confidence: How Starkey Omega AI Helped a Veteran Reconnect with the Sounds of Life

July 3, 2026

For U.S. Navy veteran Petty Officer 3rd Class Niketa Willard, hearing loss wasn't just an inconvenience—it was affecting her work, her daily life, and her ability to fully engage with the world around her. Like many people with hearing loss, she didn't realize just how much she was missing until she experienced better hearing firsthand. The Patient's Hearing Challenges Niketa's hearing loss became most noticeable in two areas of her life: at home and at work. At home, she found herself missing everyday sounds she once took for granted. Whether it was birds singing in the distance, children playing nearby, or even the warning beep from her dog's training collar, many sounds had gradually faded from her awareness. At work, the challenges were even more significant. Niketa frequently communicates with contractors located around the world, often navigating different accents and fast-paced conversations during virtual meetings. "I was constantly asking people to repeat themselves," she recalls. "I relied on captions, recordings, and detailed notes just to make sure I understood what was being discussed." Why She Sought Help As communication became increasingly frustrating, Niketa realized it was time to find out what was happening with her hearing. What she discovered confirmed what she had been experiencing all along—her hearing difficulties were real, and they were significant. As a military veteran who worked around ammunition, flight decks, firearms, and other high-noise environments, Niketa believes her hearing loss is directly related to her years of service. "I was around a lot of things that go boom," she says. "I know my hearing loss came from my military days." Her Experience at Johnson Audiology One of the things that stood out most to Niketa was how she was treated throughout the process. "They listened to my concerns," she says. "I felt heard and seen." Rather than rushing through appointments, the team took time to understand her challenges, explain her test results, and help her find the right hearing solution for her lifestyle. "They treat you like a person—not just another number," Niketa explains. "The doctors really care. They take the time to teach you how to use the devices, explain what to expect, and make sure you're comfortable every step of the way." She also appreciated the ongoing support available after her fitting, including walk-in service hours and easy access to help whenever questions arise. Why She Chose Starkey Omega AI After evaluating her hearing needs, Niketa's audiologist, Dr. Anna Wade, recommended Starkey Omega AI hearing aids. The advanced technology offered features that supported both her professional and personal life, helping her hear conversations more clearly while reconnecting her with environmental sounds she had been missing. The devices also included sound therapy options that help her manage tinnitus, a common condition among veterans with noise-induced hearing loss. "When the ringing becomes bothersome, I can use the background sounds in my hearing aids to help distract from it," she says. "That feature has really helped." The Improvements She's Noticed The difference was immediate. One of Niketa's first realizations came while sitting on her patio with her dog. For the first time, she could hear the beep from his training collar and the sounds that had always triggered his barking. "I could hear everything he was hearing," she says. "The birds, people walking nearby, kids playing—sounds I didn't even realize I was missing." At work, the improvement has been equally dramatic. "I can hear people so much more clearly now," she explains. "I don't have to ask them to repeat themselves three or four times. It's been a game changer." The reduced communication strain has improved her confidence, productivity, and ability to learn and retain information during meetings. Advice for Others Considering Treatment For anyone putting off hearing treatment, Niketa has a simple message: "Take that step." She encourages others not to wait, even if they need time to plan financially for treatment. "It's worth it. It's a life-changing experience. You really have nothing to lose because you already can't hear. You have everything to gain." Ready to Hear What You've Been Missing? If hearing loss or tinnitus is affecting your work, relationships, or daily life, Johnson Audiology is here to help. Our experienced audiologists provide comprehensive hearing evaluations, personalized treatment recommendations, and access to advanced technology like Starkey Omega AI hearing aids. Schedule your hearing consultation today and discover what better hearing can do for you.