Pain Killers Could Cause Hearing Loss

Nearly 50 percent of the people in the United States suffer from high-frequency hearing loss by the time they reach 60 years old. One of the reasons for this could be the use of Analgesics that is used to treat a variety of medical conditions. The researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), show that consumption of this pill causes a great damage to the ears.

According to the study, women who took ibuprofen or acetaminophen two or more days per week had an increased risk of hearing loss.

Greater the rate of consumption of these pills greater the damage caused to the ears. Especially, women younger than 50 years who took ibuprofen for six or more days per week had a greater hearing loss. Whereas the researchers failed show the similar association between aspirin and hearing loss.

The details of this study will be carried in the September 15 issue of the American journal of Epidemiology.

The researchers prospectively examined the relationship between frequency of aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen use and risk of hearing loss among women in the Nurses' Health Study II.

The researchers analyzed the data of nearly 62,261 women between ages 31 to 48 years. The women were followed for 14 years, from 1995 to 2009. Nearly ten thousand and twelve women self-reported hearing loss.

On comparing it to women who had ibuprofen less than once per week, those taking ibuprofen 2 to 3 days per week had a 13 percent increased risk for hearing loss, while women on the medication 4 to 5 days per week had a 21 percent increased risk. For those who used ibuprofen six or more days per week, the increased risk was 24 percent.

Whereas the women using acetaminophen 2 to 3 days per week had an 11 percent increased risk for hearing loss, while women taking the medicine 4 to 5 days per week had a 21 percent increased risk.

"Possible mechanisms might be that NSAIDs may reduce blood flow to the cochlea -- the hearing organ -- and impair its function," said first study author Sharon G. Curhan, MD, BWH Channing Division of Network Medicine. "Acetaminophen may deplete factors that protect the cochlea from damage."

"If individuals find a need to take these types of medications regularly, they should consult with their health care professional to discuss the risks and benefits and to explore other possible alternatives," said Curhan.