mythreindeer
05-20-2007, 08:14 PM
Hi,
I had an audiogram done a few weeks ago by an audiologist due to chronic tinnitus. The test was normal and I was fitted for some custom ear plugs (for mowing, concerts) after the test. But the molding procedure and/or the silicone foam they used irritated my outer ear. I went to my primary care doc a few days later and he confirmed the irritation but said my tympanic membrane was not perforated. He prescribed me some ear drops with the ingredients: Neomycin/Polymyxin/Hydrocortisone in them to use for 5 days.
Well, I only used 4 drops (one dose) and then stopped because the drops made the ear in question feel “funny” -- a bit clogged and tickly, like they had drip of fluid in them. I did some investigating on the internet and read that neomycin is extremely ototoxic, which is surprising because it’s used as a topical solution applied directly to the ear canal!
From what I've read the greatest risk appears to be when the drops are used in someone with a perforated eardrum because that allows the drug to enter the inner ear where it does damage. However, some of the literature I've found online suggests ototoxicity has been reported when using topical neomycin even in the absence of a perforated eardrum, but it seems the jury is out on a definitive answer.
Unfortunately, my pre-existing condition of tinnitus now seems worse in the affected ear. I’m not sure if it is actually worse or I just panicked when I read the neomycin dangers and am paying more attention to it now. I will admit I’m a fairly anxious person, so perhaps the tinnitus change is subjective. My ear also still feels like it has some fluid in it and has random, though slight, pain. I like my doctor and I would hope he would not have given me medicine that could potentially exacerbate my tinnitus (which was known to him) and perhaps even damage my hearing.
Does potential ototoxicity only occur when neomycin enters the inner ear or can it happen even without a perforated ear drum? What exactly is the statistical risk for potential ototoxicity with neomycin? What are the chances I sustained any detrimental side effects from just one dose of the medicine?
I don’t want to overreact, but I’ve gone back to the doc that prescribed the neomycin and an ENT, and they both say my ear looks fine. They both downplayed any risk from the drops and basically told me, even if my tinnitus is worse, there’s really no treatment for it anyway…
Thanks for your help,
Brian
I had an audiogram done a few weeks ago by an audiologist due to chronic tinnitus. The test was normal and I was fitted for some custom ear plugs (for mowing, concerts) after the test. But the molding procedure and/or the silicone foam they used irritated my outer ear. I went to my primary care doc a few days later and he confirmed the irritation but said my tympanic membrane was not perforated. He prescribed me some ear drops with the ingredients: Neomycin/Polymyxin/Hydrocortisone in them to use for 5 days.
Well, I only used 4 drops (one dose) and then stopped because the drops made the ear in question feel “funny” -- a bit clogged and tickly, like they had drip of fluid in them. I did some investigating on the internet and read that neomycin is extremely ototoxic, which is surprising because it’s used as a topical solution applied directly to the ear canal!
From what I've read the greatest risk appears to be when the drops are used in someone with a perforated eardrum because that allows the drug to enter the inner ear where it does damage. However, some of the literature I've found online suggests ototoxicity has been reported when using topical neomycin even in the absence of a perforated eardrum, but it seems the jury is out on a definitive answer.
Unfortunately, my pre-existing condition of tinnitus now seems worse in the affected ear. I’m not sure if it is actually worse or I just panicked when I read the neomycin dangers and am paying more attention to it now. I will admit I’m a fairly anxious person, so perhaps the tinnitus change is subjective. My ear also still feels like it has some fluid in it and has random, though slight, pain. I like my doctor and I would hope he would not have given me medicine that could potentially exacerbate my tinnitus (which was known to him) and perhaps even damage my hearing.
Does potential ototoxicity only occur when neomycin enters the inner ear or can it happen even without a perforated ear drum? What exactly is the statistical risk for potential ototoxicity with neomycin? What are the chances I sustained any detrimental side effects from just one dose of the medicine?
I don’t want to overreact, but I’ve gone back to the doc that prescribed the neomycin and an ENT, and they both say my ear looks fine. They both downplayed any risk from the drops and basically told me, even if my tinnitus is worse, there’s really no treatment for it anyway…
Thanks for your help,
Brian