We all have headaches or muscle pain now and then and it’s normal to reach for an overtime counter painkiller to reduce swelling. There are several over-the-counter pain medicines on the market such as ibuprofen and paracetamol which block the production of prostaglandins and COX enzymes which make us suffer from pain, inflammation, and fever. ibuprofen is primarily metabolized in the kidneys, paracetamol is processed in the liver and if taken in excess we can expect a toll on our health in several different forms. While these painkillers offer short-term relief there is a dangerous side effect to our hearing which many are not aware of. Ototoxicity pertains to any chemical or medication which damages the ears and our hearing. A recent study has found that painkiller use, particularly in women, can have ototoxic effects. A Study on the Effects of Painkillers on Hearing Using data from the Nurses’ Health Study, a team led by researchers from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Vanderbilt University and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) found surprising evidence that the duration of use of over-the-counter medications for pain relief, including ibuprofen or acetaminophen, is connected to an increased risk of hearing loss. The 2012 study collected information from 55,850 women ages 44 to 69, included in an ongoing nurse’s health study, and were questioned about their painkiller use over two years. They found, bases on results that “regular paracetamol use over six years was linked to a 9% higher chance of hearing loss, compared with less than one year of regular use.” Paracetamol is commonly found in the form of brand names such as Tylenol and is a household fixture for at-home and on the go, pain relief. Similarly, the study found that concerning non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), “use over six years was linked to a 10% higher chance of hearing loss,”. NSAIDs are commonly found in a household under the name of ibuprofen and brand names such as Motrin and Advil. In the study, regular use was defined as two or more days per week and findings found that “regular NSAID use for one to four years was linked to a 7% increased risk” and “regular NSAID use for five to six years was linked to an 8% increased risk.” Findings Show Painkillers Cause Only a Slight Risk To Hearing While the results are illuminating, it is important to note that the effects of painkillers on hearing are slight and that other factors need to be accounted for when researching the causes of hearing loss, including exposure to loud sounds, impact on the head, chronic ear infections and even changes to the inner ear due to aging, which affects one-third of all people over 65. The study on painkillers and hearing loss reported based on results that “4% of the cases of hearing loss reported by women were the result of NSAID use, and 1.6% were the result of paracetamol use.” While this is a factor affecting hearing loss, the risk is rather slight. A Risk to Your Hearing The researchers were sure to consider other factors affecting hearing such as age, family history, alcohol consumption and smoking, intake of micronutrients in diet linked to hearing, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and medical conditions that include diabetes, hypertension, tinnitus, and ototoxic cancer treatments. All these factors must be considered when assessing your hearing health because they all pose a threat to your inner ear. While sound is collected by your ear, it is the job of tiny cells in the inner ear to pass sound to your brain where it is comprehended. These cells are incredibly fragile and are put at risk due to these factors. Most concerning is that when these cells are damaged, limited sound information can reach the brain and that this damage is irreversible. The Impact of Hearing Loss You may think that hearing loss is not that serious, but if ignored it can cause communication issues, leading to chronic depression, isolation, cognitive decline, and a lack of mobility and independence. While there is no cure for hearing loss there are effective treatments, the most common being hearing aids. Hearing aids can amplify the sounds you’ve lost, so you won’t struggle to hear and can avoid the dangerous side effects of hearing loss. To find out more if hearing aids are right for you, schedule an appointment for a hearing exam today.

For Women, Painkiller Use May Lead to Hearing Loss

Dr. T
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We all have headaches or muscle pain now and then and it’s normal to reach for an overtime counter painkiller to reduce swelling. There are several over-the-counter pain medicines on the market such as ibuprofen and paracetamol which block the production of prostaglandins and COX enzymes which make us suffer from pain, inflammation, and fever. ibuprofen is primarily metabolized in the kidneys, paracetamol is processed in the liver and if taken in excess we can expect a toll on our health in several different forms. While these painkillers offer short-term relief there is a dangerous side effect to our hearing which many are not aware of. Ototoxicity pertains to any chemical or medication which damages the ears and our hearing. A recent study has found that painkiller use, particularly in women, can have ototoxic effects. 

A Study on the Effects of Painkillers on Hearing

Using data from the Nurses’ Health Study, a team led by researchers from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Vanderbilt University and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) found surprising evidence that the duration of use of over-the-counter medications for pain relief, including ibuprofen or acetaminophen, is connected to an increased risk of hearing loss. 

The 2012 study collected information from 55,850 women ages 44 to 69, included in an ongoing nurse’s health study, and were questioned about their painkiller use over two years. They found, bases on results that “regular paracetamol use over six years was linked to a 9% higher chance of hearing loss, compared with less than one year of regular use.” Paracetamol is commonly found in the form of brand names such as Tylenol and is a household fixture for at-home and on the go, pain relief. 

Similarly, the study found that concerning non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), “use over six years was linked to a 10% higher chance of hearing loss,”. NSAIDs are commonly found in a household under the name of ibuprofen and brand names such as Motrin and Advil. In the study, regular use was defined as two or more days per week and findings found that “regular NSAID use for one to four years was linked to a 7% increased risk” and “regular NSAID use for five to six years was linked to an 8% increased risk.” 

Findings Show Painkillers Cause Only a Slight Risk To Hearing

While the results are illuminating, it is important to note that the effects of painkillers on hearing are slight and that other factors need to be accounted for when researching the causes of hearing loss, including exposure to loud sounds, impact on the head, chronic ear infections and even changes to the inner ear due to aging, which affects one-third of all people over 65. The study on painkillers and hearing loss reported based on results that “4% of the cases of hearing loss reported by women were the result of NSAID use, and 1.6% were the result of paracetamol use.” While this is a factor affecting hearing loss, the risk is rather slight. 

A Risk to Your Hearing

The researchers were sure to consider other factors affecting hearing such as age, family history, alcohol consumption and smoking, intake of micronutrients in diet linked to hearing, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and medical conditions that include diabetes, hypertension, tinnitus, and ototoxic cancer treatments. All these factors must be considered when assessing your hearing health because they all pose a threat to your inner ear. While sound is collected by your ear, it is the job of tiny cells in the inner ear to pass sound to your brain where it is comprehended. These cells are incredibly fragile and are put at risk due to these factors. Most concerning is that when these cells are damaged, limited sound information can reach the brain and that this damage is irreversible. 

The Impact of Hearing Loss

You may think that hearing loss is not that serious, but if ignored it can cause communication issues, leading to chronic depression, isolation, cognitive decline, and a lack of mobility and independence. While there is no cure for hearing loss there are effective treatments, the most common being hearing aids. Hearing aids can amplify the sounds you’ve lost, so you won’t struggle to hear and can avoid the dangerous side effects of hearing loss. To find out more if hearing aids are right for you, schedule an appointment for a hearing exam today.