When you have a headache, or your muscles just ache it’s normal to reach for an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce the swelling – That is exactly what they are for. However, when the pain becomes chronic the use of these medications can be all too common of an occurrence. While at first, you may not notice any issues over time, regular use can build up to cause uncomfortable side effects such as stomach pain, nausea, bruising damage to your kidneys, and even tinnitus. A recent study shows that long-term use of OTC painkillers can increase the likelihood of hearing loss.
What are OTC Painkillers
The two major types of OTC painkillers are acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs include aspirin, naproxen (Aleve), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Acetaminophen elevates the pain threshold, by blocking pain receptors in the brain.
While acetaminophen can relieve pain and reduce fever, it doesn’t act on pain caused by inflammation. This is better achieved using NSAIDs which block a specific enzyme called cyclooxygenase (or COX) used by the body in the production of prostaglandins. prostaglandins are a group of lipids that form at the site of tissue damage or infection and are key to aiding the healing process. They also control processes such as inflammation, blood flow, and the formation of blood clots. NSAIDs reduce the production of prostaglandins, temporarily relieving the discomfort of fever inflammation, and pain. These are excellent medicines to take in small doses or as prescribed by a doctor for the recovery of a specific illness. However, like anything, these are best taken in moderation.
Study Linking OTC Painkillers and Hearing Loss
A large 2012 study in collaboration with the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Vanderbilt University, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Vanderbilt University, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in the US, sought to explore the link between hearing loss and OTC painkillers. They combined surveyed data from 55,850 women between the age of 44 -69 about their painkiller use over two years. Results from the study revealed 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.”
The results concerning NSAID revealed that “use over six years was linked to a 10% higher chance of hearing loss,” while “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.” For reference, the study defined “regular use” as two or more days per week.
Findings of this Study
The finding showed that while there is reason to believe that acetaminophen and NSAIDs are a possible cause of hearing loss the risk is relatively low. According to researchers from the study, “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.” This is a small percentage, especially when you consider all the other factors and risks for hearing loss such as exposure to noise in occupational settings, head trauma, age, alcohol consumption, and smoking and amount of regular physical activity and comorbidities such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and hypertension. While these OTC medications are found to be ototoxic, meaning harmful to your hearing, the risk factor, in general, seems low.
Experiencing Changes in Your Hearing?
If you are experiencing issues with your hearing, it’s a good idea not to put it off another day. Hearing issues don’t stop with your ears but affect communication, relationships, self-esteem, self—worth, mobility, cognitive functioning, and more. While you can rest assured that the risk to your hearing is minimal with OTC painkillers there are plenty of other risks to your hearing that need to be monitored. Most forms of hearing loss are permanent but not untreatable. Even if you’re not experiencing changes, it is essential to your overall health to take an annual hearing test to find the best solution for your hearing issues. Contact us today. Take care of your hearing now and enjoy a higher quality of life for your future.